Official Germany vs Costa Rica POST Match Thread [R]

[Knave]

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Germany 4 :: 2 Costa Rica
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This thread is neutral and strictly moderated.

Please take strongly partisan discussion to the
team boards (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6919151&postcount=3) or to the World Rivalry board (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=160).
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No Flames - No Trolls
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[BED-STYPUNDIT]

REVIEW in 20 minutes

Man of the Match for me?
Though 2 and on his birthday for Klose, I have to give it to Torsten Frings, who besides his SPECTACULAR goal, shut down Centeno in the middle and may him play very slow at times.

[FC Uptown]

The ball can't be that juiced.
That guy has a howitzer kick.

[Father Ted]

MOM: Lahm. Nice first goal, set up the third

[Colm]

Torsten Frings man of the match for me, didn't see him misplace a pass and did a good job in midfield and scored a great goal.

[gaijin]

For me Klose, Lahm and Scheweinsteiger were the best players on the pitch today.

[Mark424]

wow:

Pretty poor defending on both sides. Costa Rica stuck in, but gave Germany way too much space outside of their box. If this the way Germany is going to play for all their matches then I don't think they'll get too far past the group stage.

[falvo]

Very good match. I was surprised at CR and couldn't believe their offensive fire power. Too bad they were grouped with the home team in the first match. I have a feeling they could do pretty well in their next two matches. I hope so for all the concacaf bashers. They certainly held their own for most of the match. Unfortunately, GMY is just too darn good! In all the tournaments I've seen them play in, I can't ever remember them playing with a flash of Maradona or of a Brazil for example, but they are always technically gifted in the game of football! They certainly are the MASTERS in the race for the WC. I have a feeling Kahn may get a chance however, the defenders need some help.

[maddog36]

What was the dive like in the 86th minute? Did it deserve a card? If anything that frustrates me the most, and I know playing against Italy and the Czech Republic I am going to see a lot of it, is diving.

[Mglnbea]

Whoops, my mistake. You're right (from another thread) about 1934.
Italy 7-1. I hate to say who it was against. And, Germany 5-2 over Belgium and Hungary 4-2 over Egypt.

[BMike86]

I was really surprised by the play of the one striker Costa Rica had, I believe it was Wanchop or somethin like that. He stood out for them big time. Man of the match had to be Klose, I was hoping for Podolski to score and he had a chance late. Odonkor coming in i was finally able to see that quickness he has when he crossed it to Podolski. I don't doubt Lehmann's ability after those two goals, but I do doubt the man marking and communication between the German CB's in Metzelder and Mertesacker. Hopefully Smolarek and Zurawski will exploit this when we play Germany

[TOTC]

Ah, but was Frings' goal better than Razov last night?

I'd like to see the Adidas ball compared to a Gaelic football (which I know is juiced). And to the Mitre Ultimax (formerly of MLS, USISL, and EPL), which I have seen women absolutely pound into the goal from 30 yards.

[cwt9]

The official site's Matchcast was busy throughout the entire game.

What a joke.

Yahoo, get some extra servers.

[Nimbus2000]

Two chances, two goals - that's Wanchope.

Germany looked good but they still look really suspect in the back. Given the pressure and the low expectations I think the Ticos played decently. Klose's second goal was very lucky. I don't see the Ticos going forward but if I were a German fan I wouldn't feel great about this game - good, but not great.

[Dr. Wankler]

wow:

Pretty poor defending on both sides. Costa Rica stuck in, but gave Germany way too much space outside of their box. If this the way Germany is going to play for all their matches then I don't think they'll get too far past the group stage.

I was thinking that, too. Then I remembered 1994, when Italy played not one but two matches that were pretty poor, before finally waking up with 15 minutes or so left in the last group-stage match. They wound up in the final. I don't think you can write Germany off just yet. Unless they continue to defend like they did in this match.

[WFU03]

What position was Schweinsteiger playing? I swear he seemed like he was simultaneously on the left, the right, and in the middle. I'm just curious what position he was listed at was?

[bsas]

Nice start of WC, guys! Lots of goals! I hope the trend continues...

I also have the feeling Kahn may start. Lehmann has not been very reassuring in goal for quite some time...

[Iranian Monitor]

Congratualtions to Germany.

I have to watch replays of Costa Rica's goals, but at least one of them and probably both were offside. Regardless, the scoreline flattered the Ticos, who were mostly subpar.

Some great goals by Germany, who controlled the game well and could have scored more. Nonetheless, and notwithstanding the dubious nature of the goals scored by the Ticos, Germany's defense did show vulnerable.

[gaijin]

What position was Schweinsteiger playing? I swear he seemed like he was simultaneously on the left, the right, and in the middle. I'm just curious what position he was listed at was?

Left side of midfield.

[FC Uptown]

Newbie question -
Is the German style here - defense playing very far up like that - is that "Total Football"?