***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[The Z Machine]

Don't usually like easy PKs but how is that not one in the Italy game? Dude had the guy completely wrapped up in the box. He literally had is arm all the way around the guy back to touching his own hip, and a leg wrapped around for good measure.

italian defenders know all the tricks not to give up a penalty. Everythign looks questionable, but not quite there until you look at it in slow mo, and then you laugh because it's ridic.

 

[Sinn Fein]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

 

[B Maverick]

1. writhing around in pain for minor injuries and being taken off on a stretcher for a strained hammy. sports culture here is walk it off or minimize showing your pain. in soccer it seems to be amplified.

2. stoppage time. thats so different than anything we see here a lot of people dont give it a chance. dont understand why the clock doesnt stop when play is stopped and started when it starts.

3. low scoring perceived as low action. the 0-0 usa mexico game last year (or was it two years ago) was thrilling to watch. but to tell someone it was 0-0 they immediate think how boring.

And what it boils down to are cultural differences, imo. That's why I've never been sure the US would really adopt soccer. We're a high running high stress appointments deadlines type of country, most of these other countries have shorter work weeks and take naps in the middle of the day.

Is it ironic then that the 2 most popular sports have like 10 minutes of actual action in 3-4 hours it takes to play a game (NFL/MLB)?

 

[Spartans Rule]

Don't usually like easy PKs but how is that not one in the Italy game? Dude had the guy completely wrapped up in the box. He literally had is arm all the way around the guy back to touching his own hip, and a leg wrapped around for good measure.

Cavani was way offside. Not sure why they didn't blow the whistle for offside, but I guess it evens out that they missed everything.

 

[B Maverick]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

the FA thinks England should have a bye in the group stages and automatic birth into the knockout round.

 

[Jaysus]

Mario subbed out. Nice.

:( http://gfycat.com/PossibleShowyGraywolf

 

[Eephus]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

Today's lineup seems better suited to the tactics they're trying to play

 

[ffldrew]

getting real ugly here - pissed off Italians

 

[gianmarco]

WTF....a red?

ETA--Even worse, I don't even know if that's a yellow for most. A straight red?

 

[Sammy3469]

OH MY RED

 

[B Maverick]

red card for italy!!!!!

 

[sporthenry]

And the game gets better.

 

[Eephus]

Studs up...man down

 

[Jayrod]

Goalie all up in the refs face.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Very harsh

 

[GoFishTN]

Right in front of the ref. Oof.

 

[ffldrew]

I'm not a fan of this Mexican ref - it always seem trouble follows him

He did give little extra on the slow mo right in front of him

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

What position does that Italian guy that got the red card play?

 

[Sammy3469]

Very harsh

He followed through which is what got him the red

 

[Jayrod]

I'm guessing the cleats up on his knee was the issue? Seems like a weak red, but its justice for the absurd theatrics.

 

[MattFancy]

WTF....a red?

ETA--Even worse, I don't even know if that's a yellow for most. A straight red?

Yeah definitely should not have been a red

 

[gianmarco]

Very harsh

He followed through which is what got him the red

The follow through should have resulted in a yellow. Without it, it's not even a foul.

 

[The Z Machine]

¿roja directa?

 

[Jaysus]

@Roadkill: http://gfycat.com/LongBleakAfricanrockpython

P.S. that was worth a yellow.

 

[Sinn Fein]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

Today's lineup seems better suited to the tactics they're trying to play

I agree - which is why I am shocked the FA gave Roy a vote of confidence after the first two games.

 

[Jaysus]

What position does that Italian guy that got the red card play?

he is one of the 14 mids they are using today.

 

[Spartans Rule]

What position does that Italian guy that got the red card play?

Central midfield. One of the guys who does the defensive work in midfield so Pirlo doesn't have to.

 

[ffldrew]

WTF....a red?

ETA--Even worse, I don't even know if that's a yellow for most. A straight red?

Yeah definitely should not have been a red

Any contact of the studs to a player is most likely a red these days - really clamping down in the last few years. I'd say at least 80-90% of the time.

 

[The Z Machine]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

Today's lineup seems better suited to the tactics they're trying to play

I agree - which is why I am shocked the FA gave Roy a vote of confidence after the first two games.

What were they supposed to do? Sack him after 2 matches?

 

[B Maverick]

Looks like he was going for the turn and shielding the ball and got studs caught on the leg. Yellow for sure, red may be harsh.

 

[Jaysus]

@Roadkill: http://gfycat.com/LongBleakAfricanrockpython

P.S. that was worth a yellow.

Not a yellow http://gfycat.com/BonyHorribleHornbill

 

[FreeBaGeL]

So who's in the better position now? Uruguay playing a man up but must outscore Italy by 1 in the last 25 mins, or Italy down a man but just needs to hold on?

 

[Jaysus]

Red Card: link

 

[The Gator]

A Stuani sighting...Buffon beware...

 

[The Z Machine]

Gigi coming up big this game. They're gonna need it.

 

[B Maverick]

So who's in the better position now? Uruguay playing a man up but must outscore Italy by 1 in the last 25 mins, or Italy down a man but just needs to hold on?

Uruguay

 

[Sinn Fein]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

Today's lineup seems better suited to the tactics they're trying to play

I agree - which is why I am shocked the FA gave Roy a vote of confidence after the first two games.

What were they supposed to do? Sack him after 2 matches?

A simple no comment would be fine.

England needs to blow up their set-up - too rooted in old-boy-network.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

I have to say, biased though it may be, I do not understand why people do not like soccer. Not saying they have to, mind you, but as a sport it has a bit about everything. Strength, speed, endurance, individual skill, teamwork, man v. man, strategy, non-stop action. Its got players to root for, players to hate.

I get that you have to follow it a biit to understand the rules, and appreciate the strategy involved, but even as just a spectacle its fun to watch.

For me it's a few things. I'm an out of sight out of mind person. No talk radio talk discussions about it, no friends getting amped up for a matchup, etc. so it's out of my awareness. Second is that I'm soooo confused by all the different leagues and what to actually watch; Premier league, MFL, ....., I can't even name that many. If there was one main international league MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL equivalent then I'd probably be more likely to pick it up and be able to follow the story lines, etc. That said I have a small group of friends that are into soccer and my wife was captain of her HS teams so whenever it's on I'll not feel the need to turn the channel and even get into it. I've always been hugely into the WC and national type matches. I also played through middle school and still enjoy kicking the ball around. I am rusty on some of the rules/strategies but it is entertaining and actually is very quick compared to baseball and football especially if DVRd.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Red Card: link

How is that a red?

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Red Card: link

That was a straight red?

 

[Sinn Fein]

Red Card: link

Tough angle to judge, but full speed just looks like he is turning, and gets his cleat caught on the shin - really don't see any intent there.

 

[gianmarco]

Red Card: link

How is that a red?

And that looks worse as the gif only caught the end. He had control of the ball and had just gotten by another defender when his next touch pushed it too far away. On that gif, it looks like he was coming in for a loose ball but in actuality it was still his possession that he was trying to control.

 

[Jaysus]

Gigi coming up big this game. They're gonna need it.

66' Cavani's shot is blocked on the edge of the box but Suarez picks it up and pokes the ball goalwards with the outside of his right foot, but Buffon gets down quickly and parries the ball out and behnid for a corner. That was the best chance of the game so far.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Pulling for Uruguay here, but that's a really harsh red. Balotelli's was worse.

 

[Spartans Rule]

So who's in the better position now? Uruguay playing a man up but must outscore Italy by 1 in the last 25 mins, or Italy down a man but just needs to hold on?

Italy. Playing super-defensive comes pretty naturally to them.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Ref in the England Costa Rica game went to the Stevie Wonder School of officiating

 

[The Z Machine]

I think Gigi will come up big and a 0-0 draw will be the result.

 

[GoFishTN]

England's B-team is better than their A-team - but the FA thinks everything is fine with Woy and the current set-up...

Today's lineup seems better suited to the tactics they're trying to play

I agree - which is why I am shocked the FA gave Roy a vote of confidence after the first two games.

What were they supposed to do? Sack him after 2 matches?

A simple no comment would be fine.

England needs to blow up their set-up - too rooted in old-boy-network.

Nah. They just need to annex Wales.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I was watching the England game at the time. What did the announcers say about the red?

 

[sporthenry]

I was watching the England game at the time. What did the announcers say about the red?

They thought it was a good call or at least defensible and couldn't understand why he went studs up. It looked like he was trying to shield it and just got his studs caught.