My World Cup Comments [r]

[SoccerScout]

Ill just save BS SPace and post all my comments throughout the WC in this thread. Read at your own risk!

DAY 2

- Fans in Brazil have been calling Paraguays Gammara an "ex-Player" for 2 years now. He continuously is messing up in Brazil, giving up goals and scoring own goals like the one from today.

- D O'Obrien and all his Soccer knowledge called Beckhams shot on the goal "a rocket!". Balboa...Mr Obvious...I wish they were more conversational and less structured. When they actually made a joke about something, they were funny...once.

- Crowd audio to low on ESPN. If I didnt have HD I wouldnt be watchin ESPN, but am forced to for better quality image. And what about 5.1 Audio?

- I am VERY confident that the US will beat the Czech Republic. Its gonna happen...I hope.

- Some teams just never change...same ole Paraguay....same ole Poland...same ole England. Just Equador stood out with a pretty good win.

[Riotom9]

- D O'Obrien and all his Soccer knowledge called Beckhams shot on the goal "a rocket!". Balboa...Mr Obvious...I wish they were more conversational and less structured. When they actually made a joke about something, they were funny...once.



Less structured? DOB actually was quoted as citing the challenges of having to listen to your director, producer, and even setting up your partner without the benefit of commercials. Could they present us with anything more static, staged, and plastic? That's all I ask for - a little more 'in the moment' from the guys doing all the talking.

But I suppose the figure the american public buys it for the NFL and NBA, let's just use the same style that has made those games almost unwatchable in comparison to 15 years ago.

[SoccerScout]

Day 2 PART 2

- Enough baseball/Baseketball analogies from the ABC/ESPN people! Even Shep Messing!!!

- Was it me or did DOB say "Feets" on Day 1? Feets?

- T&T made me root for them so hard I felt like I was born there! I hope the US comes in w that kind of desire!

- The High Definition image is fantastic, when i switch over to the game on Standard TV it is unwatchable. But thats because im using a 48 inch TV. If you have a 27 inch TV ...SD is usually good enough. But for Big TV, it has to be HD or it will look horrible.

[SoccerScout]

If the WC consisted of the 32 TEAMS in FIFAs rankings...

THESE TEAMS WOULD BE IN THE WORLD CUP:

11 Nigeria
12 Denmark
14 Turkey
15 Cameroon
17 Egypt
20 Greece
21 Tunisia
22 Uruguay
25 Romania
27 Colombia
28 Senegal
31 Republic of Ireland

TEAMS THAT WOULDN'T MAKE THE WORLD CUP:

33 Paraguay
34 Saudi Arabia
35 Switzerland
39 Ecuador
42 Australia
44 Serbia and Montenegro
45 Ukraine
47 Trinidad and Tobago
48 Ghana
57 Angola
61 Togo

(I think 1 team is missing)

So would the World Cup be better of with the 32 from FIFA's Ranking?


- In Brazil the media keeps insisting that Ronaldinho Gaucho despite being the best in the world will be outshined by KAKA. As a Gaucho myself I hope they are wrong. But its not surprising in Brazil for the main Media to shun players from anywhere outside the 3 main cities. Ronaldinho being from the South, this still happens even though they love him...but they love Ronaldo still more.

- As for the US Im not sure I feel like pre 1998 or pre 2002. I think in 98 we went in cocky and lost and in 02 we went in "cautious" and beat Portugal. But on paper we definetly have a better team. Just the fact that Agoos isnt in our defense is a big step and I dont mean that as a dis on Agoos which worked hard.

- Angola was a joke, so far joining Costa Rica as the 2 weakest teams.

- For some reason when two Eurpoean team play (like today when Holland played S&B) the games can be rather dull. This game was OK, but Euro x Euro in the WC especially at this stage doesnt excite me much.

[Ombak]

- In Brazil the media keeps insisting that Ronaldinho Gaucho despite being the best in the world will be outshined by KAKA. As a Gaucho myself I hope they are wrong. But its not surprising in Brazil for the main Media to shun players from anywhere outside the 3 main cities. Ronaldinho being from the South, this still happens even though they love him...but they love Ronaldo still more.You know... I don't mind you complaining about bias against the South in the Brazilian presss.

But there's an actual reason why people are expecting Kaká to outshine Ronaldinho that is perfectly reasonable and has nothign to do with that.

As for loving Ronaldo more... well, you've stated you think he's an ordinary player now, so let's not go there.

[SoccerScout]

You know... I don't mind you complaining about bias against the South in the Brazilian presss.

But there's an actual reason why people are expecting Kaká to outshine Ronaldinho that is perfectly reasonable and has nothign to do with that.

As for loving Ronaldo more... well, you've stated you think he's an ordinary player now, so let's not go there.

Im not saying that Kaka isnt worthy...he definetly is and he may just outshibe Gaucho. I think if you look back to 2002 I posted here that Kaka will eventually be Fifas player of the year. Most said there is no chance for that. All I was saying is that the Brazilian Media will ALWAYS find a way to gravitate away from any player outside of the "circle", Gaucho is one of those.

[Ombak]

Im not saying that Kaka isnt worthy...he definetly is and he may just outshibe Gaucho. I think if you look back to 2002 I posted here that Kaka will eventually be Fifas player of the year. Most said there is no chance for that. All I was saying is that the Brazilian Media will ALWAYS find a way to gravitate away from any player outside of the "circle", Gaucho is one of those.But you're arguing that they are doing this becuase Gaúcho is from RS and Kaká from SP. You know that's not the case - Kaká always plays extremely well for the team, Ronaldinho will likely be given special marking and Kaká will likely benefit from the open space if that happens.

No need to add anything else to the equation.

[SoccerScout]

But you're arguing that they are doing this becuase Gaúcho is from RS and Kaká from SP. You know that's not the case - Kaká always plays extremely well for the team, Ronaldinho will likely be given special marking and Kaká will likely benefit from the open space if that happens.

No need to add anything else to the equation.

That rationale makes sense, but I think thats not the rational many of them are using...especially since they arent saying that.

[babytiger2001]

Moved to the World Cup: General forum.

[Redshift]

Scout,

I respect that there is often a RJ-SP bias in the Brasilian media, but to suggest that this has anything to do with the criticism being leveled at Ronaldinho vis a vis Kaká is absurd.

The "oba oba" surrounding R. Gaúcho has reached a staggering level... as has his image. No one particularly cares that he is from RS... in fact, if he were to run for president in the present climate, he'd probably stand a decent chance.

[SoccerScout]

My dad (just arrived from Brazil today) and I were sitting here watching Australia play, we were laughing it up on how bad they are...I said they looked like the equivelant of a Selection team of the Best Supermarket owners. They looked like a pick up team .... up until the first ...but Japan deserved to lose...they scored a goal and gave up....sems to be the theme for some teams, score 1 goal and shut it down. This time they payed for it.

Now it looks bleak for Zico and Japan. 0 points and Croatia and Brazil on the horizon..

[SoccerScout]

DAY 4

-Did the US just obsess with studying videos of the Czech Republic until the players thought they were going to face gods of football? Seems as though they froze on the field. I think it would be best if Arena lets the boys loose against Italy and stop with the over analysis, it obviously didnt work against the CR.

- Did Arenas ego catch up with him as Sampson in 98? He sat there on the bench looking as lifeless as the team.

- Is there any chance for the US now? Yes but it will have to be a miracle. The players will have to play with a "we have nothing to lose" attitude now. If they go on the field scared again they will get crushed...if they manage to turn this around it will be a great sports comeback. No team has ever lost their first match and qualified.

- Brasil tomorrow...I predict a 4 x 1 Brasil win. Goals by Lucio, Ronaldo (2) and Kaka.

[astronomer]

DAY 4

No team has ever lost their first match and qualified.



That is absolutely not true.

In 1994, Bulgaria lost the first game (I think to Nigeria) and progressed to the semifinals.

In 1994, Italy lost to Ireland and progressed to the final.

In 2002, Turkey lost to Brazil and went on to lose to Brazil again in the semifinals.

[SoccerScout]

That is absolutely not true.

In 1994, Bulgaria lost the first game (I think to Nigeria) and progressed to the semifinals.

In 1994, Italy lost to Ireland and progressed to the final.

In 2002, Turkey lost to Brazil and went on to lose to Brazil again in the semifinals.

Hm...teaches me not to listen to the ESPN folk...thanks for correcting me.

[lanman]

That is absolutely not true.

In 1994, Bulgaria lost the first game (I think to Nigeria) and progressed to the semifinals.

In 1994, Italy lost to Ireland and progressed to the final.

In 2002, Turkey lost to Brazil and went on to lose to Brazil again in the semifinals.

In 86 England lost their first game and drew their second (without scoring a goal) but still qualified in second place.

[SoccerScout]

- Its pretty painful to watch an all Europe game at the World Cup. They are the games that I look least forward to. Is it just me? Not intended as a slam, just these matches always seem to produce a congested match with not much excitement...

[lanman]

- Its pretty painful to watch an all Europe game at the World Cup. They are the games that I look least forward to. Is it just me? Not intended as a slam, just these matches always seem to produce a congested match with not much excitement...

I think they're usually pretty poor in the groups but liven up ok later. They're probably poor in part because the teams often know each other extremely well and cancel each other out.

[SoccerScout]

Well today it wasnt painful to watch Poland x Germany...great game....great day today with 3 good games...try watching a Baseball game after watching the World Cup...