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

[msommer]

Care to lay odds that he plays Tuesday?

50/50Actually 0%

@TrustyTransfers: Reports suggest Neymar has suffered a Vertebral split and is out of the World Cup. #BRA

ouch

-QG

Should have been a red card

 

[Guest]

Is it inconsistent to complain of rampant diving/flopping and in the next sentence complain that the ref let the hard fouling get out of control and should have carded more? The folks I was watching with were griping constantly about "flopping", but most of what I saw was self-preservation, riding hard tackles, and legit reactions to hip checks, knees, elbows and studs. For what it's worth, I didn't have any big problem with the ref either. Allowing hard tackling is better than turning the game into a card fest. If he starts carding hard tackles early, he's almost certain to set himself up for trouble later in the game.

I'll clarify. Ref could have set a tone early . You foul hard, you get a card. You flop, you get warned and then a card. Players would have responded. The players did respond - to the fact it was a free for all.

 

[Premier]

@richarddeitsch: Given Neymar's injury, I'm now mortified by how he was removed from the field. Feels prehistoric.

100% agree.

 

[msommer]

Is it inconsistent to complain of rampant diving/flopping and in the next sentence complain that the ref let the hard fouling get out of control and should have carded more? The folks I was watching with were griping constantly about "flopping", but most of what I saw was self-preservation, riding hard tackles, and legit reactions to hip checks, knees, elbows and studs. For what it's worth, I didn't have any big problem with the ref either. Allowing hard tackling is better than turning the game into a card fest. If he starts carding hard tackles early, he's almost certain to set himself up for trouble later in the game.

I'll clarify. Ref could have set a tone early . You foul hard, you get a card. You flop, you get warned and then a card. Players would have responded. The players did respond - to the fact it was a free for all.

I have to think that the ref was influenced by the tournament rule that a yellow in the quarters would be automatic suspension for the semi's (because the cards are reset now)

 

[Eephus]

Is it inconsistent to complain of rampant diving/flopping and in the next sentence complain that the ref let the hard fouling get out of control and should have carded more? The folks I was watching with were griping constantly about "flopping", but most of what I saw was self-preservation, riding hard tackles, and legit reactions to hip checks, knees, elbows and studs. For what it's worth, I didn't have any big problem with the ref either. Allowing hard tackling is better than turning the game into a card fest. If he starts carding hard tackles early, he's almost certain to set himself up for trouble later in the game.

Fair points. Maybe the openness of the group games spoiled us. What we got today was more typical of the knockout rounds: tight, closely played contests with lots of tough tackling and fouling. The lack of flow begets more fouling and even less flow.

I think the officials are open to some criticism but none of us know how they were instructed to call the match. But ultimately the ref didn't commit the fouls. It isn't always the case that early yellows will cause players to tone things down, especially in a game with stakes this high. That certainly wasn't the case in the 2010 final where the glut of cards had the exact opposite effect.

 

[Sinn Fein]

@richarddeitsch: Given Neymar's injury, I'm now mortified by how he was removed from the field. Feels prehistoric.

100% agree.

Part of the problem is the players themselves - they so infrequently suffer a serious injury that the keystone cops are generally acceptable for carrying the player off the field. If the players saved the histrionics for serious injury, then I could see FIFA requiring more substantial medical care on the field - not sure the teams even have doctors on the field.

 

[Slapdash]

Neymar going to the hospital

Gotta admire the commitment. Anyone told him yet that it won't draw a card?

Go #### yourself

 

[TenTimes]

Did they at least try to use the magic spray on him?

 

[Mario Kart]

WTH? Fractured vertabre? To Neymar? Geez.

Have not watched the game yet.

 

[Guest]

@richarddeitsch: Given Neymar's injury, I'm now mortified by how he was removed from the field. Feels prehistoric.

100% agree.

Part of the problem is the players themselves - they so infrequently suffer a serious injury that the keystone cops are generally acceptable for carrying the player off the field. If the players saved the histrionics for serious injury, then I could see FIFA requiring more substantial medical care on the field - not sure the teams even have doctors on the field.

This.

 

[Native]

That Luiz free kick was outstanding. No spin on the ball - shot staright up and the dipped down to the far right corner of the net. One of the better goals of the tournament.

 

[gianmarco]

That Luiz free kick was outstanding. No spin on the ball - shot staright up and the dipped down to the far right corner of the net. One of the better goals of the tournament.

Agreed. And then his celebration looked like he was about to take a PK.

 

[jonessed]

@richarddeitsch: Given Neymar's injury, I'm now mortified by how he was removed from the field. Feels prehistoric.

100% agree.

Part of the problem is the players themselves - they so infrequently suffer a serious injury that the keystone cops are generally acceptable for carrying the player off the field. If the players saved the histrionics for serious injury, then I could see FIFA requiring more substantial medical care on the field - not sure the teams even have doctors on the field.

There are definitely doctors, but I agree that the histrionics make every injury seem faked. This is really the fault if the players themselves.

 

[Slapdash]

Is it inconsistent to complain of rampant diving/flopping and in the next sentence complain that the ref let the hard fouling get out of control and should have carded more? The folks I was watching with were griping constantly about "flopping", but most of what I saw was self-preservation, riding hard tackles, and legit reactions to hip checks, knees, elbows and studs. For what it's worth, I didn't have any big problem with the ref either. Allowing hard tackling is better than turning the game into a card fest. If he starts carding hard tackles early, he's almost certain to set himself up for trouble later in the game.

I don't disagree. It was a physical game, but there were a couple of clearly dangerous tackles not carded (one on the knee of Hulk (?)). When you let that stuff go at this stage, you risk escalation of challenges like what led to Neymar's injury.

 

[Slapdash]

Spanish refs are consistently bad, welcome to every week.

 

[Guest]

Neymar going to the hospital

Gotta admire the commitment. Anyone told him yet that it won't draw a card?

Go #### yourself

Truly sorry the guy has a broken vertebrae. Didn't know it when I made the comment. Fact is, the guy took several dives today looking for penalties that weren't merited. But it hardly means I wish the guy harm, or don't feel very sorry that he's injured.

I figured he was going for precautionary x-rays.

To pay homage to the great Louis CK's Of course - but maybe bit...

Of course it's terrible I suggested he faked an injury, and he's badly hurt...

But maybe - he shouldn't have been faking injuries all day.

 

[Slapdash]

Neymar going to the hospital

Gotta admire the commitment. Anyone told him yet that it won't draw a card?

Go #### yourself

Truly sorry the guy has a broken vertebrae. Didn't know it when I made the comment. Fact is, the guy took several dives today looking for penalties that weren't merited. But it hardly means I wish the guy harm, or don't feel very sorry that he's injured.

You're just another stupid troll who doesn't know what a dive is.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Colombia was hacking everybody all day.

True. So was Brazil.

 

[Guest]

Neymar going to the hospital

Gotta admire the commitment. Anyone told him yet that it won't draw a card?

Go #### yourself

Truly sorry the guy has a broken vertebrae. Didn't know it when I made the comment. Fact is, the guy took several dives today looking for penalties that weren't merited. But it hardly means I wish the guy harm, or don't feel very sorry that he's injured.

You're just another stupid troll who doesn't know what a dive is.

About 60 minutes in, your boy rolled over about six times after a phantom hit at the top of the box. Even if he'd been hit, it was physically impossible for the force to have propelled him a quarter as far as he dramatically rolled himself. He was trying to steal an unearned penalty.

I stand by that, and at least two other offenses by him. There were another several as bad or worse by his teammates.

The fact he is hurt doesn't absolve him from the fact that he was blatantly trying to manipulate the ref.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Is it inconsistent to complain of rampant diving/flopping and in the next sentence complain that the ref let the hard fouling get out of control and should have carded more? The folks I was watching with were griping constantly about "flopping", but most of what I saw was self-preservation, riding hard tackles, and legit reactions to hip checks, knees, elbows and studs. For what it's worth, I didn't have any big problem with the ref either. Allowing hard tackling is better than turning the game into a card fest. If he starts carding hard tackles early, he's almost certain to set himself up for trouble later in the game.

I agree at least he was consistent.

But he let it go waaay too far, with the usual result. At some point during the 54 whistled fouls and the numerous blatant fouls he let go he has to get control of the game, which he never did.

 

[Slapdash]

Neymar going to the hospital

Gotta admire the commitment. Anyone told him yet that it won't draw a card?

Go #### yourself

Truly sorry the guy has a broken vertebrae. Didn't know it when I made the comment. Fact is, the guy took several dives today looking for penalties that weren't merited. But it hardly means I wish the guy harm, or don't feel very sorry that he's injured.

You're just another stupid troll who doesn't know what a dive is.

About 60 minutes in, your boy rolled over about six times after a phantom hit at the top of the box. Even if he'd been hit, it was physically impossible for the force to have propelled him a quarter as far as he dramatically rolled himself. He was trying to steal an unearned penalty. I stand by that, and at least two other offenses by him. There were another several as bad or worse by his teammates.

The fact he is hurt doesn't absolve him from the fact that he was blatantly trying to manipulate the ref.

Even more reason for me to stand by what you just quoted.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Completely disagree that there was a lot of flopping in the game, by Neymar or others. So weird how two people see two different things.

 

[Short Corner]

Completely disagree that there was a lot of flopping in the game, by Neymar or others. So weird how two people see two different things.

Odd that athletes of that caliber are incapable of getting their legs under them when going down.

 

[DiStefano]

Colombia was hacking everybody all day.

And as I stated, you can blame a lot of what happened on the field on the ref for not taking control. But from Neymar's several dramatic flops to the guy who held his face when he wasn't touched, it marred the game.You can tie Columbia's aggression and Neymar getting hurt to the tone set on the field by the ref, but also by floppers. If you're going to act like I kicked you in the face when I didn't, then maybe I might as well kick you in the face.

It would be nice if all these guys felt assured that when they blatantly fake, they'll get a card or a post game fine. This game is begging for replay - and it would be great if refs could monitor for flops and be able to weigh in for the purpose of issuing cards.

In terms of Neymar... Talented guy that I've tended to like and admire. Hope he heals quickly and completely. But regardless of his injury, he displayed some real BS out there. The sport, the refs, the coaches all deserve some blame. It shouldn't be tolerated, and despite a Cup where it's been far less common, it is to startling degree in this sport.

Neymar was a clear offender today.

Neymar vs Messi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tezk-XsLiNY&sns=em

 

[Mario Kart]

Completely disagree that there was a lot of flopping in the game, by Neymar or others. So weird how two people see two different things.

Odd that athletes of that caliber are incapable of getting their legs under them when going down.

Yeah, real odd.

 

[TLEF316]

It really is mind boggling how some people don't understand the concept of riding tackles. If these guys just went rigid and waited for someone to plow through them all game long, there'd be nobody left to play by the end. In certain cases, they have to kinda let themselves go down to avoid getting broken in half. Its simple physics.

Are there instances (even many instances) where guys embellish what happened to try to get a call? Absofreakinglutely. And yes, its damn annoying and should stop. But I really think people underestimate how easy it is to knock someone down when they only weigh like 160 lbs (or in Neymar's case...142, the size of your average 8th grader) and are running as fast as they do. It doesn't take much contact to put someone that light on their ###.

These aren't 5'9 225 running backs capable of lowering their heads and just barreling through contact. Its a different type of athlete. Again...there is absolutely too much diving in soccer. It sucks. But the general public's total misconception of what constitutes a "dive" makes the whole thing seem even worse than it is.

 

[sporthenry]

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

 

[TLEF316]

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

He's freakishly tiny and has an absurdly low center of gravity, so yeah....I'd say he does.

 

[sporthenry]

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

He's freakishly tiny and has an absurdly low center of gravity, so yeah....I'd say he does.

You just told me that being freakishly tiny was part of the problem.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

He's freakishly tiny and has an absurdly low center of gravity, so yeah....I'd say he does.

Short. But he's 6-8 pounds heavier than Neymar despite being something like 4" shorter.

There's a really easy solution to the problem of soccer watchers who hate diving so much it ruins the game though. I'm going to write FIFA. Here's my idea...

Stop watching soccer.

 

[TLEF316]

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

He's freakishly tiny and has an absurdly low center of gravity, so yeah....I'd say he does.

You just told me that being freakishly tiny was part of the problem.

Messi must break the laws of physics then.

He's freakishly tiny and has an absurdly low center of gravity, so yeah....I'd say he does.

Short. But he's 6-8 pounds heavier than Neymar despite being something like 4" shorter.

There's a really easy solution to the problem of soccer watchers who hate diving so much it ruins the game though. I'm going to write FIFA. Here's my idea...

Stop watching soccer.

This.

 

[sporthenry]

I don't know how one can watch the Germany/France game followed by the Brazil/Colombia and not be at least a bit peeved at the amount of theatrics going on. That doesn't mean I have to stop watching soccer, it just means I'd like the game to be cleaned up.

Yes, I understand the idea of selling a call and have played soccer so I don't really need the soccer education. But that is one of the nice parts about having British commentators is that they call the guys out for the b/s.

ETA: I hate diving in basketball, hockey and American football. Shucks, I guess I can only watch golf and baseball from now on based on this standard.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Goals by league -update

EPL - 31

Bundesliga - 30

La Liga - 23

Serie A - 13

Ligue 1 - 13

Primeira Liga - 8

Liga MX - 5

Russian Premier - 5

MLS - 4

Eredivisie - 3

Brasileiro - 3

English Championship - 2

UAE Arabian Gulf League - 2

Turkish Süper Lig - 2

Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 - 2

Argentine Primera - 1

Belgian Pro - 1

K League - 1

Honduran Liga Nacional - 1

Greek Superleague - 1

Scottish Premier League - 1

Croatian Prva Liga - 1

Own goal (La Liga) -1

Own goal (Honduran Liga Nacional) - 1

Own goal (Bundesliga) - 1

Own goal (Ligue 1) - 1

Own goal (Turkish Süper Lig) -1

 

[Slapdash]

But that is one of the nice parts about having British commentators is that they call the guys out for the b/s.

Only if it's being done by a team they don't like. You don't hear a peep if it's England, USA, or Italy doing it. We saw two games today full of teams the English hate and the biased commentary reflects that.

 

[culdeus]

Whoa, broken back.

This has to be pretty unusual yes?

 

[Spartans Rule]

I don't know how one can watch the Germany/France game followed by the Brazil/Colombia and not be at least a bit peeved at the amount of theatrics going on.

By not caring about the theatrics?

That stuff happens. Plenty of more interesting stuff to focus on.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Whoa, broken back.

This has to be pretty unusual yes?

Very unusual in any sport.

 

[Eephus]

I wouldn't stand too close to Juan Zuniga for a while

 

[NewlyRetired]

The fact he is hurt doesn't absolve him from the fact that he was blatantly trying to manipulate the ref.

Out of curiosity,

Do you frequent the NBA thread and complain every time shooter fakes getting fouled as trying to blatantly manipulate the ref?

Do you frequent the NFL threads and complain every time a player fakes an injury to manipulate the refs?

Do you frequent the NHL threads and complain every time a player dives to manipulate the refs?

 

[The Gator]

I wouldn't stand too close to Juan Zuniga for a while

Yeah, he should already be out of the country...

 

[Mario Kart]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/fifa-to-consider-fourth-sub-in-extra-time-for-2018-world-cup-145855387.html

Good or bad? I'd think good overall. Allow all three subs to be used during normal play instead of "saving" one. More attacking than there is now, no?

Soccer teams need more 3-6-1 formations though. That is the winning combination.

 

[The Gator]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/fifa-to-consider-fourth-sub-in-extra-time-for-2018-world-cup-145855387.html

Good or bad? I'd think good overall. Allow all three subs to be used during normal play instead of "saving" one. More attacking than there is now, no?

Soccer teams need more 3-6-1 formations though. That is the winning combination.

Very good, but only if it's like floppo(I think) said and if it's made at 90 or 105.

Enough time wasted during those short periods to make the sub during the run of play

 

[Mario Kart]

Let's go Ticos!!!!

 

[QuizGuy66]

Vamos Los Ticos

-QG

 

[Sebowski]

I don't know about you guys, but today was probably the most disappointing day of the tournament thus far. The first game lacked any kind of energy or intensity. The second game was littered with dirty play, horrible calls, and a clearly slanted bias for the home side. On top of that, not much quality from any of the 4 teams today with the exception of Germany just playing good, disciplined defense once the lead was obtained. Nothing memorable from today.

I enjoyed that last Algeria game more than either today

Today did not go as expected, but it went none the less. I was still drunk at 830am when I was suppose to be on the move to the bar. Had a great day the night before playing out the remainder of the tournament on FIFA with a friend and drinking growlers (Colombia over Netherlands 4-1). We played it smart and called the night early so we wouldn't jeopardize the 4th of July/WC games combo happening at 9am. THEN my son of ##### best friend/neighbor decides to get engaged at ####### 1030 on a regular ### night in his living room. So, champagne and beers, obviously get crushed. I was still optimistic at 2am that I'd make the bar by the 9am kickoff. I was downright sure of it (as I am now that I will for the one in 7hrs). Then before I knew it, morning broke. Missed calls and texts. Everyone I told to meet me at the bar is at the bar. But I'm not. I' hungover. #### the world. I have a 42 inch plasma in my bedroom and some left over rice I can fry. If it wasn't also the 4th it would be a total hard delete on the day. But it isn't not the 4th. It is the 4th! So I do what I have to do. Fry that rice with some bacon and eggs and try to compose myself during the early game. Big day ahead. That game sucked. Did me no favors. So, 5hr energy and start walking to the bars via the beach. Run into a party which was well needed. Only time for one though. Barley make kickoff at the bar for the next game. Much better game. And beers this time! Then it is to the pizza shop for a slice and a pint to figure things out. BBQ it is. Parties all over the place (I love this town). Beers and food for a few hours then realize it's almost fireworks time. Head home and start drinking in the yard. Then it is climb on the roof with a bottle of Chocolate Rain and pretend we care about the fireworks. Damn I love that beer. Now I need to try and get some rest before Argentina at 9 ####### am (what's up with playing games that early anyway?).

TLR

I disagree. It was one of my favorite days of the tournament.

 

[Short Corner]

It really is mind boggling how some people don't understand the concept of riding tackles. If these guys just went rigid and waited for someone to plow through them all game long, there'd be nobody left to play by the end. In certain cases, they have to kinda let themselves go down to avoid getting broken in half. Its simple physics.

Are there instances (even many instances) where guys embellish what happened to try to get a call? Absofreakinglutely. And yes, its damn annoying and should stop. But I really think people underestimate how easy it is to knock someone down when they only weigh like 160 lbs (or in Neymar's case...142, the size of your average 8th grader) and are running as fast as they do. It doesn't take much contact to put someone that light on their ###.

These aren't 5'9 225 running backs capable of lowering their heads and just barreling through contact. Its a different type of athlete. Again...there is absolutely too much diving in soccer. It sucks. But the general public's total misconception of what constitutes a "dive" makes the whole thing seem even worse than it is.

So it is go rigid and get snapped in half or go into a NASCAR roll? No middle ground?

 

[James Daulton]

lol at the people in here saying there's little to no flopping. I'm not a soccer watcher typically, but I have watched a lot of these WC matches and while the game is rough and players do get legit tackled and taken to the ground, the amount of NBA style flopping is just stupid. Maybe you diehard fans have convinced yourself otherwise, but when these guys are withering on the ground in pain, then are back running to full speed in a minute, they've flopped. And the announcers seem to make mention of it every game, so obviously it's an issue.

Still a beautiful game though.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I ####### hate the way NBA games take 30 minutes to play the last two.

So get this...I don't watch the NBA.

I also don't go to the NBA thread and ##### about how long it takes to play the end of a game.

 

[Short Corner]

I ####### hate the way NBA games take 30 minutes to play the last two.

So get this...I don't watch the NBA.

I also don't go to the NBA thread and ##### about how long it takes to play the end of a game.

What's your point?

 

[NewlyRetired]

I ####### hate the way NBA games take 30 minutes to play the last two.

So get this...I don't watch the NBA.

I also don't go to the NBA thread and ##### about how long it takes to play the end of a game.

What's your point?

I think it was pretty clear.