SO16_Saint Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I have to say that the quality of football so far in the WC has been, on the whole, shocking. Watching the NZ / SVK match it's difficult to see how NZ in particular qualified, and it looks as though Saints could beat them on this display. Hope it picks up soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerBadger Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Too true, been somoe shocking games so far. It'll get better as the 'must win' games start appearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisPY Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I have to say that the quality of football so far in the WC has been, on the whole, shocking. Watching the NZ / SVK match it's difficult to see how NZ in particular qualified, and it looks as though Saints could beat them on this display. Hope it picks up soon. Hopefully Saints can beat them. They've got Rory Fallon who we'll be up against next season. That's one of their better players... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Bit harsh to pick on New Zealand who nobody will have expected anything from. As both Martin Keown and the usually miserable Alan Hansen have said, even though the game's been relatively poor, they've probably been playing above their realistic level of performance. Defensively they've looked pretty solid, but the problem with the smaller nations is always the lack of creativity at the other end of the pitch. Some of the games involving better teams have been awful, though, and they can have no excuse. France v Uruguay, for example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 15 June, 2010 Author Share Posted 15 June, 2010 yeah, take your point Steve - saying that NZ took that goal well. Hope to see a good display between Ivory Coast and Portugal in a bit though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I thought Reid looked a good player at the back for NZ. Definitely a player who's got a bright future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Yep, that's what smaller teams need, when they do get the delivery into the box right, the finish has to be good. On that occasion, great cross, great header. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I have to say that the quality of football so far in the WC has been, on the whole, shocking. Watching the NZ / SVK match it's difficult to see how NZ in particular qualified, and it looks as though Saints could beat them on this display. Hope it picks up soon. NZ qualified by topping the final Oceanic group which also contained Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. (Fiji actually beat them in one game) They then defeated Bahrain in the Asian/Oceanic two leg play off. That's the problem with the Oceanic section of World Cup qualifying, rugby is very much the no. 1 sport and all the teams are footballing minnows since Australia joined the Asian Confederation. Still fair play, considering most of their squad are semi pro that was an excellent result for them today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Watched Italy last night in an Italian bar: most of the locals wandered outside to smoke after about 20 minutes! It has been poor, but pleased for NZ's first world cup point! As you say, great header, (positioning, body shape, attack, direction) and I've seen more experienced players do a LOT worse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawillwill Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Remind me again, why did Australia join the Asian confederation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 NZ qualified by topping the final Oceanic group which also contained Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. (Fiji actually beat them in one game) They then defeated Bahrain in the Asian/Oceanic two leg play off. That's the problem with the Oceanic section of World Cup qualifying, rugby is very much the no. 1 sport and all the teams are footballing minnows since Australia joined the Asian Confederation. Still fair play, considering most of their squad are semi pro that was an excellent result for them today. Yup, Bahrain are a well known Rugby Nation This is in reality a fall-out from Promoting the Aussies into the Asian Qualifiers. They used to walk the Oceania group and then get stuck in aplay-off with the 4th best team in South America. This time round it meant the Chinese were upset by not making it. Luckliy it also meant no local GCC country qualified... OOps did I say luckily? I meant unlucky honest mr proxy man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwarwick Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Have to agree the footie has been crap although I would imagine it will get better as the tournament gets to the latter stages.. On a lighter note we have had aftergame talk with the likes of Paul Ince and Dwight Yorke, I could think of better commentators lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 (edited) Yup, Bahrain are a well known Rugby Nation This is in reality a fall-out from Promoting the Aussies into the Asian Qualifiers. They used to walk the Oceania group and then get stuck in aplay-off with the 4th best team in South America. This time round it meant the Chinese were upset by not making it. Luckliy it also meant no local GCC country qualified... OOps did I say luckily? I meant unlucky honest mr proxy man How long has Bahrain been an island in the Pacific Ocean? Anyway I think your correct in saying the Aussies joined the Asian Confederation because they kept getting knocked out by the 5th placed South American team. Daft for three reasons. 1: They qualified for the 2006 world cup by that very method. 2: The rules have changed now and the top Oceanic team now plays off against an Asian team. 3: Australia isn't in Asia As an aside Leeds and Newcastle are thought to be tracking one of Fiji's top strikers. . . Edited 15 June, 2010 by JackFrost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Remind me again, why did Australia join the Asian confederation? Probably two reasons. Firstly, the Oceania group is always really uncompetitive, they might as well have just not bothered doing a draw and just put Australia through. As a result, while they were playing "competitive" games, they were against teams like American Samoa, who they beat 33-0 in the not-too-distant past and it's only in the last 5 years or so when New Zealand have been slightly better than woeful to give them a game every now and again. At least in the Asia qualifying group, they get regular games against teams on a similar level to them, such as Japan, the two Koreas, China, Bahrain, Iran, etc, so they're a bit better prepared when it comes to the actual tournament. Secondly, they were always being pitched in a playoff against Uruguay, who are a pretty decent side on their day. It took what is probably Australia's best ever team (with help from an excellent manager in Guus Hiddink) a penalty shoot-out to get through that playoff. Rather ironic that they've since changed the playoffs so the Oceania winner plays against someone from the Asian region rather than South America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Probably two reasons. Firstly, the Oceania group is always really uncompetitive, they might as well have just not bothered doing a draw and just put Australia through. As a result, while they were playing "competitive" games, they were against teams like American Samoa, who they beat 33-0 in the not-too-distant past and it's only in the last 5 years or so when New Zealand have been slightly better than woeful to give them a game every now and again. At least in the Asia qualifying group, they get regular games against teams on a similar level to them, such as Japan, the two Koreas, China, Bahrain, Iran, etc, so they're a bit better prepared when it comes to the actual tournament. Secondly, they were always being pitched in a playoff against Uruguay, who are a pretty decent side on their day. It took what is probably Australia's best ever team (with help from an excellent manager in Guus Hiddink) a penalty shoot-out to get through that playoff. Rather ironic that they've since changed the playoffs so the Oceania winner plays against someone from the Asian region rather than South America. Now come on Steve, be fair it was only 31-0 LOL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_31%E2%80%930_American_Samoa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 the football being used and those fuking horns are not helping.. as for those horns...it shows how a nation like SA are not mentally ready to host such a competition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 i have ranted a blog on here about similar. i was bored Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 The JPT trophy was harder to win than this pile of crap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Far too many draws and not enough goals. I've taken to watching the games with the sound muted, those f*cking vuvuzelas are ruining the competition.Plus it's cold and usually p*ssing down with rain should have given it to Morrocco, at least it would be sunny and trumpetless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I think the vuvuzelas are having more of an impact than the tournament organisers realise. They are so loud (can go up to 130 decibels apparently) that the players cannot communicate properly which is resulting in a slow tempo and plenty of mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 i have ranted a blog on here about similar. i was bored You're not the only one : http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?10-Day-5-(Part-1)-This-Had-Better-Be-The-Low-Point#comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I have to say that the quality of football so far in the WC has been, on the whole, shocking. Watching the NZ / SVK match it's difficult to see how NZ in particular qualified, and it looks as though Saints could beat them on this display. Hope it picks up soon. I suggest you blame Mr. Jabulani for this... To me, its not a surprise that the only team that have looked accomplished and comfortable is the German team, who all play in the Bundesliga, where that bloody ball has been in constant use since December. Nice display of impartially, Addidas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I suggest you blame Mr. Jabulani for this... To me, its not a surprise that the only team that have looked accomplished and comfortable is the German team, who all play in the Bundesliga, where that bloody ball has been in constant use since December. Nice display of impartially, Addidas... Hardly adidas' fault that La Liga, Premier League and Serie A all use Nike balls is it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Hardly adidas' fault that La Liga, Premier League and Serie A all use Nike balls is it ? The people I really blame is those nice men in nice white coats at Loughborough University who came up with the design, who in a classical piece of British Scientific f**k-up...er...research, came up with a ball design for a tournament at high altitude but never checked its performance in the environment where it was to come to the attention of the public... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 The people I really blame is those nice men in nice white coats at Loughborough University who came up with the design, who in a classical piece of British Scientific f**k-up...er...research, came up with a ball design for a tournament at high altitude but never checked its performance in the environment where it was to come to the attention of the public... I'm not getting into the "which matches are at altitude and which aren't" discussion, way too much research and effort even for me, but there seems to be a general over-hitting of crosses and the usual ballooning (literally) of shots. And sheesh, imagine how dull it would have been without the superball-caused errors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwarwick Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I suggest you blame Mr. Jabulani for this... To me, its not a surprise that the only team that have looked accomplished and comfortable is the German team, who all play in the Bundesliga, where that bloody ball has been in constant use since December. Nice display of impartially, Addidas... Really? I watched a programme where it said this ball has been designed only for this world cup. How Germany could of played with it would stink of favourtism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Hardly adidas' fault that La Liga, Premier League and Serie A all use Nike balls is it ? would be interesting to know how many of the players in this world cup play in those leagues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Really? I watched a programme where it said this ball has been designed only for this world cup. How Germany could of played with it would stink of favourtism. The ball HAS been designed for the World Cup but Bundesliga uses adidas balls and that's the latest adidas ball. Evidence here from April 10th - though I've seen other pics with sides using the Nike ball as in the Prem, so I assume it's on a club by club basis. http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ger/news/newsid=1474591.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 well, if the ball should have been used by the prem or other leagues or not....so many shots from genuine world class players are going high wide and handsome.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 15 June, 2010 Author Share Posted 15 June, 2010 aparently all nations were given the option of using the ball for the last season, only Germany took them up on the offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 aparently all nations were given the option of using the ball for the last season, only Germany took them up on the offer. Now why doesn't that surprise me? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenevaSaint Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I'm sorry, I really don't buy this **** that the ball is the difference, the football is poor as the teams are playing defensively. There are high and wide shots I agree, but what about actually trying to pass your way to a goal. If you're shooting from 30 yards it's unlikely you're going to score..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenevaSaint Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 I have to say that the quality of football so far in the WC has been, on the whole, shocking. Watching the NZ / SVK match it's difficult to see how NZ in particular qualified, and it looks as though Saints could beat them on this display. Hope it picks up soon. Maybe a 32 team tournament is just too big? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 brazil and the argies have been spooning their shots high/wide... they do nothing BUT zip the ball around on the deck quickly and get lots of shots in from in and around the box... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Porter Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Too many teams are just far too negative these days. Especially in the first round of games 90% of teams would take a draw. The Ivory coast - Portugal game today is a good example, either side wins and they've almost secured their place in the next round but both teams are just happy to sit and play out a 0-0. I'm still not convinced it's the balls fault, it's probably playing a part as well as the constant vuvuzela noise and the high altitude. Hopefully the next round of games will bring a few more goals and some more expansive football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 15 June, 2010 Share Posted 15 June, 2010 Maybe a 32 team tournament is just too big? It's been 32 teams since France '98, and both that tournament and Germany 2006 were excellent competitions full of great games. Japorea 2002 wasn't quite so good in terms of overall quality, but there were a lot of shocks there which made it interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 16 June, 2010 Share Posted 16 June, 2010 The ball is making the players look like pub footballers. Nice one FIFA you F*ckwits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 16 June, 2010 Share Posted 16 June, 2010 Uhm... sorry dont buy teh ball is to blame stuff... 1. It was available to ALL countries to use and practise with since January... its pretty feckin typical of the prem league to put their own sponsorship deals ahead of the national teas interests os there you go 2. If you actually look at the Ronaldo hitting teh post or Podolski's goal... sems like a good flight to me... altitude probably plays a part, but they blame teh ballevery world cup for the poor games,mistakes, but you never see the winners complaining. 3. Over caution in round one coupled with big league players these days thinking more of their club/wdge that their country - Germans looked good against a poor side, but also because they actually shoved 3 up front and passed creatively, attacked etc... nothing to do with the bundesliga using the ball 4. For years we have maligned the Germans as being 'functional' and devoid of creativity... yet going back to 2006, they were the only side to play 2 up front in everygame - and now they have found some creative midfield inthe young Ozil, they have played the most creatively out of all teh sides to date...hopefully Spain will show what they can do today... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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