USMNT N+A 2010 World Cup General Discussion Thread [R] - Part 2

Nice game, nice game, nice game ...

 

I'm digging on Japan, either in this thread or somewhere else someone asked "Who's your second team?" I think I'm leaning toward the Blue Samurai.

It helps that I have an extremely sweet (and pretty) Japanese employee who's totally stoked they're doing well even though she doesn't follow the sport at all (but her brother does, and supposedly he's going nuts over this). Worth seeing them win just to watch her bubble over with happiness.

 

now is as good a time as any to spit your game man go get it!

 

Am I wrong in assuming that we're going to get 5 CONMEBOL teams, 2 CONCACAF teams, 1 African team, and 2 Asian teams in the round of 16?

That's 10 of 16 teams in the round of 16 not from Europe?

In theory I guess the Ivory Coast still has a chance to catch Portual as the 11th, but that seems really unlikely.

The face of football is changing........................

 

Honda!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgVOp_rdhwU"]YouTube- Street Fighter 4 EHonda - Hundred hand slap[/ame]

 

I will always cheer for South Korea/Japan as my "other" teams after the great experience and hospitality they showed during the 2002 World Cup. Both show great team spirit and play styles that I enjoy.

 

And European teams continue to drop like flies, World Class display by Keisuke Honda of dismantling a European side.

 

I be married, so no can do. But sorely tempted.

 

Chile isn't safe yet, they have to play Spain. This group will probably goes down to a three way tie, anything can happen.

 

Best Japanese attack since Pearl Harbor.

Had to be done.

 

I've enjoyed Chile this whole cycle whenver I've watched them, and I hope they go through. But my honest prediction there is a Chilean ass-whupping at the hands of Spain. They're almost tailor-made to be beaten by Spain.

 

I too hope Chile go through. It would be a shame if they didn't, though they only have themselves to blame for not trouncing Switzerland completely with the abundance of chances they had.

 

Switzerland seems oddly resistant to be being trounced - not sure why.

 

Maybe.

But Switzerland is really offensively challenged.

It wouldn't shock me if they drew with Honduras 0-0.

Let's hope Chile, who plays an entertaining brand of football, goes thru.

By the way, I'm projecting all 6 of the Euros to play each other in the round of 16. Spain-Portugal, England-Germany, Netherlands-Slovakia (2 of those already confirmed).

So in the quarterfinals, we're looking at only a possibility of 3 Euro teams. [And if Switzerland do go thru over Chile, they probably won't beat Brazil]

 

In 2002 there were only 3 (4 if you count Turkey)

When the world cup isn't in Europe, Europe suffers.

 

Well, their keeper is standing on his head, for one thing.

Best goalkeeping performance of the Cup so far?

 

Well, Turkey is in UEFA, Turkey are in European qualifiers so why would one not count them??

But let's see, 2002, Finalist, Germany, 3rd place, Turkey? Is that correct?

1994, Finalist Italy, Bulgaria did well, in fact, I can not remember other teams other than Brazil in the Americas doing well since Argentina folded.

Not defending European teams here, just examining the facts.

 

I meant traditional European powerhouses (relatively) suffer when the tournament isn't held in western Europe. That's why I was tentative to include Turkey.

To this day Europe hasn't won a World Cup held abroad.

 

Techincally, most of the country is in Asia. I know, I know all that UEFA stuff. I'm just saying.

 

Predictions?

Portugal 1 - 1 Brazil
North Korea 0 - 3 Ivory Coast

Chile 1 - 2 Spain
Switzerland 3 - 0 Honduras

 

I agree but think Brazil wins. This outcome on the day would be very lucrative for me....*fingers crossed*

 

When was the last time Switzerland scored three goals in a World Cup match? 1930? They are very stout defensively, but couldn't score in a Thai whorehouse. They scored 3 goals (2 by Senderos) against Luxembourg in a world Cup qualifier. Honduras ain't Luxembourg.

I'll go out on a limb on this one............. Honduras 1 Switzerland 1.

 

It could be a draw for sure. However, Honduras has looked like complete ass on offense so far and Spain couldn't score on Switzerland. For me, really just a question of whether Swiss can score...

 

If only the Brazil-Portugal fixture was scheduled earlier, when it woulden't have been academic.