EphelDuath666 wrote:the refs are a freakin joke for this world cup. And I'm not saying this because I think the Spanish ref ruined the game between Germany and Serbia. But there's other examples too. The US team was completely ripped off in their last game. Their 3rd goal was clearly legitimate. No offside, no nothing. The ref cheated them out of the win. And today again...Chile vs. Switzerland. The ref did an atrocious job. It's just not fun to watch a game anymore when players get a yellow card for just about anything. Last week you could really see that the Germans were afraid to do anything anymore because they didn't want to risk receiving another card. And the red card for Switzerland today, just like the red card for Germany's Klose, was a complete joke. And of course a lot of players take advantage of it and deliver an Oscar worthy performance when another player just touches them. So many players in quite a few teams have to be very cautious now due to all this BS because if they get another yellow card they sit out on the bench in the following game. So yeah, this WC has been a farce so far.
The poor referees have only been a recent development in the tournament. The first few games saw some absolutely excellent officiating. However as the tournament wears on the more experienced referees are being used up, and the more inexperienced referees from smaller nations are coming to the forefront, and I think the sense of occasion may be getting to many of them, particularly for most of the things you mentioned above. The USA not being awarded that goal was probably the biggest travesty of the tournament thus far.
As for Biert's questions... The Serbian team are not a bad side. Ghana caught them on a complete off day last week but the Serbia from the qualification process was largely back for the game against Germany. I fancy the two of them to get out of the group, though Ghana may sneak in there.
The French... Well they're a complete joke really. Everyone hates the manager, players refusing to train, Anelka being sent home and quitting international football. It's like a bad soap opera with them this year. I really, really hope Mexico and Uruguay get out of that group. I obviously have a little something extra to hate the French about but their performance at the tournament so far this year has been totally laughable.
England are being England, typically overhyped and underperforming. I hope, I so so so so hope Slovenia can punish them on Wednesday and they go out at the group stage. Maybe then in future the hype will die down and it'll be realised that this team just do not work well together. They failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and now they're failing at World Cup 2010. They have some of the best players in the world, no doubt, but lack cohesion and a solid Number 1 to stand between the pipes.
Spain lost because the Swiss were incredibly disciplined at the back. They held Chile (and I agree with Dunkel that they're impressive so far, but it'll be interesting to see how they handle Spain) for nearly the entire game today as well but just made one slip up. They'll probably batter Honduras in the game that's on now and go through along with Chile from that group. Chile are favourites to top that group, in my eyes.
New Zealand were unbelievable against Italy. I was so hoping that shot from Chris Wood snuck in the far post. Italy are shocking this tournament, and if they do go through will probably struggle in the later stages without Gianluigi Buffon. That replacement isn't anywhere near the standards needed, I think.
I fucking love the World Cup.
Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:41 am