Jun 30
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June 30th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Avarage, does not touch club football.
Aresnal would beat any of the countrys in this years world cup
June 30th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Huh?
Its been a GOOD World Cup.
Arsenal would beat Brazil?
Me thinks you are drinking heavily… no way, no how.
I enjoy club football… more than internationals, but this has been good stuff.
June 30th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Sure maybe not Brazil. But can beat the likes of France and Germany.
June 30th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Is it AMAZING the Germans on PENALTY?! Had their ever lost one?! Hell, i think i can remember they missed only ONE shot (Vs England in 1990) during the penalty shootout in major tournaments.
And Jens, he guessed the direction right 4 out of 4 today. Remarkable!
June 30th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Teabag, I agree. Club football is way better than International football nowadays. The level of football play by the clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, Juve, Milan, Arsenal and Man U the likes would beat anyone of the World Cup finalists. And surely much more attractive to watch (with the exception of Chelsea of course!)
June 30th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
The Argentines completely bottled the PKs. Lehmann did an excellent job in guessing the right direction, but the shots he stopped were low and powerless.
June 30th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Glad for Lehmann- he must be getting used to this penalties lark.
This world cup is going down the pan pretty quickly though. Every team seems gripped by nerves when we reach the 60th minute mark. I couldn’t believe I was actually enjoying international football for the first time in my life during the group stages.
June 30th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
You might be drunk too.
No, Arsenal can’t beat France & Germany.
What’s Henry going to clone himself and play for both teams? and Lehmann is going to play for whom?
Let’s not get into hypothetical situations…
its a silly debate.
June 30th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
???????
No… don’t think so.
I don’t think the club teams are going to beat the National teams.
How do you suppose someone would be playing for BOTH SIDES?
Its ridiculous.
The games can’t be played on paper or a computer, so how do you propose we play these matches?
Henry plays the first half for Arsenal and the 2nd half for France?
The LEVEL of play at the World Cup is EXTREMELY high. These are the BEST PLAYERS IN THE WORLD… not just Europe.
There are many fantastic players in Central and South America…
June 30th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Spurs signed Zokora… whom many folks on this site wanted for the Arsenal.
Rumors abound regarding Yaya… Reyes… Trablesi…
Just another case of Spurs scouting… who do Arsenal like?? Oh… OK… we want them too!
Should prove interesting in the next few weeks… lots to happen…
June 30th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
yo teabag, stop smoking weed!
if 7 of the 8 quaterfinalists were clubs they would be at the top of the “food chain” …make no mistake.
June 30th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
i said this to teabag and i’ll say this to you….
if 7 out of the 8 quaterfinalists were clubs, they would be TOP of the club football “food chain” …make no mistake!
June 30th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
I think you’re reading too much into this, no one is suggesting they actually play each other, it’s just speculation. Also, while these are the best players in the world, remember, that teams like Barcelona are pretty much all internationals, and they play together alot more than national teams, so could they beat a number of WC teams? Absolutely.
June 30th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
Rumor has it that Liverpool also wants Trabelsi since one of their deals for a defender just fell apart. I think Man City wants him too. Haven’t heard much very specific about Yaya except that he wants out and isn’t getting paid very regularly (might explain wanting out though).
June 30th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
i think this sentiment of comparing club and international football is wrong……and can’t give a definite answer.
the emotion and passion is on a totally different levels altogether….the mood and happiness of WHOLE nations determined by 22 men (or less) and the man in the midddle. PLUS it is every four years! this makes the players OVER CAUTIOUS….ofcourse if you don’t support any of the countries playing, then u might not understand….but if you do support one…u are practically dying of tension/excitement for 90 mins…or more!
guess what, if arsenal lose (or any other club) … u dust yourself off…there is always NEXT SEASON! that is club football.
what other situation makes a liverpool and Man u fans hold hands and laugh and sing together or celtic/rangers or AC/Inter or even Arsenal/Spurs…its called international football…
I’ve said it earlier and i’ll say it again:
if SEVEN out of the 8 quaterfinalist were clubs they will be TOP of the club football ladder….MAKE NO MISTAKE!
June 30th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
and to reiterate my point further…
Raul who has won 3 CLs has said several times that he would happily trade his CL medals for ONE world cup medal….
Zidane has said that the highlight of his entire career is that final in 98…..not scoring the CL winning goal in ‘02…
so there u go….
ask any aspiring player what his ultimate dream his….nope…its not CL nor premiership…..its the golden one…
June 30th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Abt the Ger-Arg game!
Pekerman is the donkey of the day for taking Riquelme out at ‘72! Upto that point i think they played their part perfectly.
June 30th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Anyone taken a peek at the “HIGHBURY AUCTION”?
There are some cool and odd items for sale via auction.
I would love to have a sign or crest from the stadium… its an interesting look/see if you haven’t seen what they are selling off.
I might just bid on a sign… would be nice to own a piece of the HOME OF FOOTBALL.
http://www.arsenal.com
June 30th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Great stuff but how to you claim it?
I sent a note asking them about shipping and got no reply.
Definitely would like to grab a couple of things, but how? Did I miss something on the site?
June 30th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Hmmmm… good question Gator.
There MUST be a way to claim it… they MUST be able to ship items!
Does anyone in London know the details of how the Auction works? Can you get items shipped?
June 30th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
I agree, Teabag. But then I would, wouldn’t I?
Brazil always look like a club team. They have a national style that carries over into their respective club teams. As we get to the end of the rounds, some of the teams look nearly club level. But overall, there’s been too little individual brilliance to suggest that country wouldn’t fall to top half of the table club teams 9 out of 10 times.
Of course, the closest you can get to club level is to be host nation, as every game is obstensibly a home tie. Which is why I’m picking a Germany v. Brazil final.
June 30th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Jens was a monster, Andez. Hope Kahn shuts his mouth now.
June 30th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
You can’t be too literal about it, stag. But if you want to be, I’ll say an in-form Wigan can beat France. Its not about individuals at the top levels as much as a team that plays with one another day in and out.
June 30th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Jens was awesom, but he Argentinians helped out quite a bit with their poor PKs. Doesn’t anyone practice these things?
June 30th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
You can’t really compare them (unless you use the CL as a comparison, which is as close as one can get) since it’s sort of an apples and oranges comparison. It really just comes down to what each person prefers to watch. Personally, I prefer club soccer because it is a little more flowing, which is the result of these players being around each other every day and there isn’t the win or go home aspect that tends to make teams play more conservatively.
June 30th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
My prediction for tomorrow is for France to beat Brazil using similar tactics tat proved so successful against Spain. Suffocate a largely powder-puff attack (Adriano crap apart from long rangers, Ronaldo easy to control but class if you give him time) and keep close tabs on Kaka and Ronaldinho. Up front they have enough to score a goal or two, especially from set pieces.
Portugal and England hard to call. If Hargreaves plays as defensive midfielder and Lennon replaces Becks after 60 minutes then England should win. However Erikkson will not do the latter so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a late Portugal winner.
June 30th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
I’m picking Holland to win…. doh…. got to get off this medication. Okay I’m picking France to beat Brazil…. :~
The referees suddenly got better. What I saw off the Krauts game with their South American cousins seemed to be a level better than most - he let them play.
Graham Poll got to be feeling like he’s on medication today… well we know he can count to two, it’s three he’s having trouble with.
That crap Russian Ref. got told to piss off as well. You set a precedent that you’ll award a card for the smallest thing, like farting on the pitch and suddenly everyone’s diving like the game turned into a f’n beach party… lost complete control of the match. This guy need medication. I bet he can only pass a stool the size of a pea he’s so anal retentive.
June 30th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
I always think it’s a mistake to guard a 1-0 lead and remove the attacking players to do it. He paid for that mistake. What a name to Peckerman?
June 30th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
good choice me to
July 1st, 2006 at 12:25 am
Then you are saying Wigan can beat Brazil… because France is gonna kick their ass!
Wigan can’t beat Brazil, so thats foolish… I pity the fool.
July 1st, 2006 at 3:05 am
Exactly Scotty. Again u r the one who get my points!
July 1st, 2006 at 3:12 am
I agree Mazza. I love Brazilian football. But i think they have a potential weakness in their team - defence.
Against Aussie, i saw the Aussie broke through Brazil’s back 4 many times, yet the Aussie did’n't take their chance. Henry is totally another class of forward, if Brazil allows as many mistakes like when they faced Aussie, they would get punished.
Ghana played a brainless offside tactic trying to catch Brazil offside. Yet with Brazil’s striking power, u simply can’t afford that. Lot of ppl had written off Ronaldo, fat and off form… whatever, probably they had forgotton Ronaldo’s performance in 2002. He virtually didn’t play any game that season until the World Cup finals, yet he became the top scorer with 8 goals. Ronaldo is fat and lazy, but he’s a BIG TIME player. When things matter, we see the real Ronaldo. He’s still Brazil’s most dangerous man IMO. If France can handle him, surely they would stand a chance.
If Titi had a disappointing World Cup so far, Ronaldinho is not much better. But those guys got the ability to change a game anytime. Should make a very interesting match.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:33 am
well, the offside tactic is NOT brainless…
why?
becos it allows you form a high line AND to attack….and that is why arsenal, barcelona and all attacking teams use it….don’t slate a team for attacking…slate them for something else
ronaldinho is NOT dissappointing…i don’t know why a lot of ppl continue to say this….he is playing a totally different role for brazil than he is for barca…..at barca he is a FORWARD with basically no defensive role…players get the ball to him…
for brazil, he is playing so much deeper (for defensive stability) so, he is GIVING the ball to the forwards…
the only way we would see the ronaldinho of old is if adriano is benched and ronaldinho moved forward…
July 1st, 2006 at 5:34 am
well, the offside tactic is NOT brainless…
why?
becos it allows you form a high line AND to attack….and that is why arsenal, barcelona and all attacking teams use it….don’t slate a team for attacking…slate them for something else
ronaldinho is NOT dissappointing…i don’t know why a lot of ppl continue to say this….he is playing a totally different role for brazil than he is for barca…..at barca he is a FORWARD with basically no defensive role…players get the ball to him…
for brazil, he is playing so much deeper (for defensive stability) so, he is GIVING the ball to the forwards…
the only way we would see the ronaldinho of old is if adriano is benched and ronaldinho moved forward…
July 1st, 2006 at 6:07 am
No Fred, not all offside tactic is brainless. It depends on oppositions. I grew up watching George Graham employing the famous Arsenal hands-up offside trap, so I understand about that.
Nevertheless, against a side like Brazil, they have 3 top class forwards in Kaka, Ronaldo and Adraino. Top players are not only skillful, they are clever with their runs as well. Brazil’s first goal against Ghana showed how intelligent Ronaldo with his run. Then u have Ronaldinho with his precision pass. If u try to catch them offside, it’s very difficult. Particular be it Kaka, Ronaldo or Adraino are all capable dropping deep and make a late run.
Brazilian manager once said - he would want to employ a 4-6-0 formation, to substain the back 4 platform, and allowing more flexibility going forward. It may be a bold statement. Yet I know where he’s coming from. With the talent players in his squad, if any team is capable of playing that, it’s Brazil.
By that which means they are not going to have an out and out striker, with all the attacking players have plenty of freedom to move around. Facing a team like this, if u want to catch them offside, it’s extremely tough.
As I said, in the end, it depends on oppositions. Ghana conceded two goals from the failure of their offside trap.
July 1st, 2006 at 6:25 am
Of the Club V International issue, for the sake of debating, I think it may be the case International football was more attractive to watch 10 or 20 years ago.
Back then every club has a restriction of foreign players. Therefore a big footballing country like Brazil would have more stars than a club side.
After the intro. of EU, many top clubs in Europe now have a lot of top players in their squad. In many cases, some top clubs now have their entire starting XI as International players, or maybe the bench players as well.
Yet most importantly, as SeattleGooners and Scotty pointed out: Club football play in a regular base, week by week. The understanding between the players in a club is better than the national team. Thus the football is more flowing.
Take Germany v Argentina for example, Germany hardly could link a series of pass together, we saw a lot of midfield battle instead.
But basically, i’m not just talking about the World Cup when comparing International Football to Club Football. Afterall, International Football does not necessary means the World Cup right?
Of course, I love to see the pride and joy shown by the players after they scored a goal in the World Cup too. Like the way Titi Henry celebrated with Paddy after Vieira’s winner against Spain, I don’t remember seeing Henry getting so excited playing for us. The player still take pride playing for their country without a doubt. Yet my comparison is based on the QUALITY of football. Not the pride or joy or anything else.
July 1st, 2006 at 8:00 am
Stag,
Looks like they added a section now that talks about shipping more in depth. However, it looks like the burden is on the buyer to contact a shipping company (they provide a list) and arrange shipping.
In other words . . . think carefully before you bid because you may end up paying way more to get it here than you did for the item.
CRAP!!!!
Jeff
July 1st, 2006 at 8:55 am
well, u honestly think ghana or any team in their league can play defensive football and invite BRAZIL TO ATTACK them ?!
that is suicidal! they would get KILLED! the only chance they (and most teams have) is to ATTACK brazil and hope for the best…besides if they were luckier or were a bit better they might even have scored a goal or two … maybe if essien was there…maybe.
in general, i always favor any team that comes out to attack……such teams have the moral superiority in my eyes.
and again the ONLY way you can sustain an attack is to hold a high defense line…and that entails the use of the OFFSIDE TRAP…arsenal use it, barca too….infact all teams that attack (and even some that don’t) use it.
July 1st, 2006 at 10:09 am
I think the “quality” of football being played at the World Cup is easily as good as the club level, and better in many instances.
There is way more passion, as you noted.
And we aren’t just talking about European teams, we are talking the WORLD.
July 1st, 2006 at 10:57 am
By ?Brainless offside tactic? do you mean Total Football, as in Rinus Michels and Johan Kruyf. Patently a dumb arse thing to say, as many of the worlds top clubs still employ it today. What tactic do you think Rijkaard uses at Barca, hey Arsenal even use it. You can be a Brazil hater but let?s not go to far in condemning for their brilliance.
The beauty of Brazil is that Ronaldinho doesn?t have to shine they have such a good squad with depth, damn even Fatso a.k.a. Ronaldo is getting goals. Selecting Ronaldinho performance is like using Henry in an Arsenal critique ? the difference is that Brazil has more depth. If you noticed weakness in the Brazilian back, they have noticed it also, it will be corrected.
Club football is always better than internationals because I support Arsenal first. That may lack objectivity but everyone else only has to tune in every four years, I tune in every week and then some. Follow the money and Arsenal is paying for all these internationals, as are all the other pro clubs in the World. Maybe that?s why some of them are threatening law suits as is the case with ManUre and Mr. Rooney.
I?m proud to be Dutch because we have great artists, poets and soccer players but we never won many wars except for maybe the ?war on drugs?. Winning the big cup is based on a false sense of national pride. I?m a proud Canadian because of our Health Care System and people like Lester B. Pearson, our football team couldn?t kick their way out of a wet paper bag.
Brazil to met Germany in the final. Hey Ronaldinho might even score. Then again, I might be eating humble pie but I don?t mind eating here where everyone knows my name.
July 1st, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Up until the Rooney incident, i think the ref was having a good game, didn’t fall for Portgual’s diving around. But i do feel the red card for Rooney was a bit too harsh. It’s just a push, didn’t kill anybody did him? Ok, it may be the rule. But this is World Cup Quarter Final, another match is going to be killed.
The match is still going on so i have no idea whether England could hold on. But if England loss, I wonder what kind of reception Rooney and C.Ronaldo would be receving back in the Premiership next season? Afterall, Beckham got a hell lot of sticks after his sent off against Argentina 8 years ago.
Intereting enough, will Man U fans boo Rooney (for being sent off) or C.Ronaldo (for getting Rooney sent off)?
July 1st, 2006 at 12:31 pm
What i meant is Ghana’s offside tactic against Brazil, not the offside tactic as a whole. As i said, it depends on ur opponent when adapting an offside tactic. Brazil got many quality forwards who would run from deep, plus Ronaldino’s passing, it’s difficult to stop them playing offside.
July 1st, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Red card wasn’t for the push. It was for stamping on the Portugal player’s groin.
July 1st, 2006 at 1:58 pm
They say PK-shootout is by luck. I’m not so sure now. ‘Cos if so, why some teams like Germany always won it, and teams like England always lost it? World Cup alone, 1990, 98, and now 2006, all went out from penalty shootout. Not to mention EURO 96, 2004.
They gotta learn to hold their nerve better when come to PK-shootout. Gallacgher looked so nervous that he forgot even to wait for the ref’s whistle before taking the kick. Poor Lampard can’t even score from penalty spot. He had a nightmare World Cup.
I don’t think Portgual deserve to win. They were crap even playing with 11 vs 10. Settled for long range effort, and hardly could penerate the England defence. England in fact looked more dangerous with one man down. Yet with Peter Crouch up front, u ain’t going to expect too much end product. The Spurs kid Aaron Lennon looked very sharp.
Ericksson is a lucky man, quitted his job before the tournament. Had him still remained, he would get eaten alive by the England press for not bringing in an extra striker to the World Cup.
July 1st, 2006 at 2:05 pm
But to be fair to Portugal, England have looked like crap all tournament long, their “luck” just ran out finally & their lack of actual cohesiveness as a team finally showed.
And Crouch is hilarious to watch. He always looks like he’s going to fall over b/c of his gawkiness. Crouch being in the England team says a lot to me, though. If Crouch was 6′1″ there’s no way he’d be (or should be) in England’s team. He is nowhere near international class.
July 1st, 2006 at 2:11 pm
The ref wasn’t even going to give Rooney a card for the groin thing he didnt even see it. He didn’t pull Rooney to the side until he pushed that prick Ronaldo. It was a deserved red card for the groin incident, but since the ref didn’t even see it I think it was way too harsh to give Rooney a red for pushing Ronaldo. You can expect to never see Ronaldo wearing a Man U jersey again. What a dissapointment this is. Just imagine an Italy-Portugal final I don’ think I’d watch. Both of those teams should have brought Greg Louganis to play for them.
July 1st, 2006 at 2:23 pm
i m definitely with u on the Crouch thing. It’s embrassing to think that he’s wearing the same shirt that all the former greats like Shearer, Lineker wore. As u said, if he’s 6′1, i bet he would not even be playing with Liverpool as well.
July 1st, 2006 at 2:38 pm
he SAW IT very clearly ….. he was standing just 2 inches from there…..
i wish there was no red card….but these are fifa rules…..
everything considered the ref was quite good…..one of the best at this WC thats for sure……
now, mclaren should RETIRE lampard and beckham from this team.
my man of the match: OWEN HARGREAVES !! he was massive today….just as he has been for bayern for years.
….and some ppl on this site compare him to flamini !!!
LOL!!!
July 1st, 2006 at 2:41 pm
he SAW IT very clearly ….. he was standing just 2 inches from there…..
i wish there was no red card….but these are fifa rules…..
everything considered the ref was quite good…..one of the best at this WC thats for sure……
now, mclaren should RETIRE lampard and beckham from this team.
my man of the match: OWEN HARGREAVES !! he was massive today….just as he has been for bayern for years.
….and some ppl on this site compare him to flamini !!!
LOL!!!
July 1st, 2006 at 3:57 pm
That England v Portugal game was surely one of the worst of this World Cup. In fact, England have been in nearly all the bad games, they’re dull, technically inferior and mentally weak, which pretty much sums up Eriksson too.
I’m glad England are out, teams like this ruin the competition, they’re just spoilers. And penalty shoot outs are not luck, you have to have the character and calmness to take an effective penalty, and those traits are all part of being a so-called world-class football player.
England always bottle it, and always will. Portugal bottled it too, two bottlers - but England will always come out the worst.
July 1st, 2006 at 3:59 pm
As I said before, Hargreaves is a great player and Arsenal should get him. Some people are more concerned with his past achievements (which are pretty good) and the fact he isn’t the brother of Kolo Toure. Hargreaves is disciplined and tactically astute, Ya Ya Toure is the complete opposite.
I’m happy Spurs bought Zokora, another hard-working but limited defensive midfielder who could replace the far more talented Carrick. All these Ivorians have supposedly had “great world cups” but if they were all so great they wouldn’t have been on the first flight home.
July 1st, 2006 at 4:58 pm
France v Brazil.. the better team won didn’t they?
The Zidane-Vieira-Makelele bossed the midfield. The defence sat deep and never allowed Brazil an one-on-one opportunity. In fact, Brazil had only ONE shot on target with Batherz making only one save from shot attempt. Increditable.
So happy for Titi to score a vital goal in a vital match.
Overall, i think the France team worked much harder than Brazil. Closing them down all over. The French seems to get better as the tournament moves on.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:03 pm
I don’t want to hear any more talk about Henry not being a big game player. Beautiful service from Zidane and an equally beautiful goal. Hopefull some of that talk can now be directed towards Ronaldinho. He’s great player to watch, but first in the CL final and now in the WC, he has been fairly annonymous.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Yep Andez, the better team did win. Great game to watch and Zidane was just majestic, so was Vieira and Makelele. The French seem to have re-discovered their hunger and verve. International football seems to constantly go through momentum shifts- if a team is not fancied they have hunger and desire while a bookies favourite seem to be complacent.
Frank Ribery was sensational also. We’re seeing why he is so highly-rated.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:26 pm
France have come alive, they were my dark horses before the tournament started, but their first two performances were so shite only a moron would have predicted they would get this far.
I must say, Brazil were incredibly disappointing - it’s hard to gauge if it was because France were so good or Brazil were so bad.
And what of Zidane, he’s been playing like a dick for 2 years, and not that great in this tournament, and then tonight he rolls back the clock.
France should breeze past Portugal, but in this competition who knows what will happen?
And it’s true that for me this tournament has now been ruined by cheats with more diving and play acting today by a multitude of players - Vieira, Henry (again), Ronaldo, Joe Cole, half the portugal team and a host of others - it’s pathetic.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Perhaps the organization should set up a BEST CHEATER, BEST DIVER, and BEST ACTOR award. For the TV audience around the globe to vote for it. At least it would get the players to think twice before trying it the next time!
July 1st, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I am actually gutted England have been knocked out. For the first time in my life, my English self supported the English national team. I was always turned off by their anaemic performances but their efforts with ten men had me cheering them on. Something has clicked for me with them now, I might actually support them in the future, instead of faking it in pubs.
The world cup is working out well for my dream team. Henry, Zidane, Klose doing the business. All the twats who choose Torres and flooded their team with Argentinans are being chased down by the German/Franco connection. Might still be in with a shout for ?50,000 but need Italy and Portugal knocked out.
July 1st, 2006 at 6:16 pm
I think England’s biggest weakness is in their attack. When u have Peter Crouch behind Rooney and Owen as the country number 3 striker, u got a serious problem there.
And the hard fact is: since Robbie Fowler and Alan Shearer, there has not been any English forward reached the 30-goal-mark in a Premiership season.
July 1st, 2006 at 6:25 pm
I’ve read enough of your posts to know that your a level head thinker about the game, I was just trying to poke you with a stick a bit. Your right in the wrong hands they’ll fail miserably as Ghana did.
July 1st, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Crunch, crunch, crunch, which is the sound of me eating humble pie. The crunch comes from this being a special humble pie, ?crumbled humble pie?. The crumbled because my last two weekends have all but crumbled any accuracy I may have had in picking the correct teams to win.
Stag133 you said so and I doubted you publicly, so here it is, I?m sorry and yes ?you told me so?. The rest of you well you?ll be happy to know it will be me on medication after my miserable spate of choices these last two weekends. Who would of thought?
Brazil looked like crap throughout the entire game, what a sleep fest it was turning into until our man at Arsenal billowed the back of Dida?s net. That will put to rest any of the critics who say that Henry never shows up for the big games. I don?t think it gets bigger than this. A classic Henry goal as well, got love the guy and I?m sure the French are saluting him up and down the country today. I wonder what Wenger?s commentary for French TV was like on that wonderful goal.
Anyway humble pie may have a bitter taste at first but it?s getting a little sweeter (ok that was b.s.).
After that game I wouldn?t be surprised to see France go all the way. I can?t stand the Portugal side and as misery seeks company, I know a few million Dutchmen who would join ranks with the British today in hoping to see them ousted in the next critical round. I was also disappointed in the England loss as I wanted them to stop those diving Portuguese.
Congtrats to France they clearly came up and beat the worlds favourites, they should be proud.
July 1st, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Maybe we should do it here as a vote in the side bar. Best dive of the world cup goes to?
July 1st, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Hargreaves is one super fit dude. He was running up and down the field even into the 2nd half of extra time. And he can tackle and hustle very well not giving the Portuguese players time to settle on the ball. Strong positional sense as well. Certainly will be an asset to Arsenal in the holding midfield position. His running style with the ball resembles Ballack - playing alongside Ballack must have rubbed off on him but he lacks the vision and accuracy to make the long passes of a Ballack. He shud be alot cheaper than what Chel$ki payed for Ballack.
July 1st, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Great win for France.
They were the better team today.
I guess Wigan can beat Brazil, right Scotty??!!?
I guess Vieira can still play football too. He was a big part of the French midfield that controlled the match. Brazil could not do a damned thing. That had ALOT to do with the French midfield. France outplayed them, and then…. they have Thierry Henry. One moment of brilliance, its all you need sometimes. I was extremely happy for Henry, Vieira, ZZ and the rest of them.
They should take out Portugal. If the midfield plays like that, they’ll stuff them… way to go Paddy. Showing the world you are still among the best. We all know Henry is the best. Go Blues!
July 1st, 2006 at 9:40 pm
England is over rated. Their games so far in this World Cup has been lack lustre and if not for their strength in defence, they might not have made it to the 2nd round. Their attack lacks incisiveness and is too predictable with the long passes. And when Crouch came on, it was even more of the same hopeful long punt upfield. Crouch is an embarrassment for a striker playing in the World Cup with laborious touch and technique. Only bright spot in attack was Lennon who shud have featured on the England right side for years to come.
The team I put my money down to win the World Cup is peaking at about the right time. Forza Italia!
July 1st, 2006 at 11:20 pm
while i agree that hargreaves is a better player than zokora…..why do i have the impression you are saying that based solely on race….we don’t need to descend to this…..
AND carrick is far more talented??? thats a joke … surely!
he’s not even much better than flamini….
July 1st, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Hear, hear, go you Blues go!
Henry did indeed have a moment of brilliance because of a beautiful ZZ pass - they played like a team. Brazil did well to hold them which speaks for Gilberto but lacked any momentum at the front which does speak highly of the French defence. I mean Brazil has several of the top strikers of the world and France did stop them.
It was like Ronaldinho in the Champs. Leag. game Henry out shone him there to.
Good pick Stag133. Vive La France.
July 1st, 2006 at 11:43 pm
I’m with you Mazza. After the Holland / Port. match I was really cheering for England. Alas heartbreak for both of us.
I’m now cheering for Arsenals captain as it would look good on him coming back to the Grove with that medal in his chest of many medals.
July 2nd, 2006 at 2:01 am
Spurs signing Zokora does raise question marks on Carrick’s future. ManU have bid for him and he could be heading there. For those who think he is lacking in talent, let’s not forget that Wenger had lined him up as a replacement for Vieira two years back.
There have been a lot of rumours on transfers. I don’t want to comment on each of them. But I strongly feel that today’s Real presidential election will strongly influence Arsenal’s transfer plans. Real are interested in Cole, Cesc and Reyes. We know that Wenger was interested in Baptista and Robinho.
Did anyone read the story about Lehmann being passed slips of paper on each penalty taker? I don’t know if it’s illegal, but is it really difficult for Lehmann to remember where ten players will be putting their penalties?
Congrats to him and Henry - they are the only two surviving Arsenal players. I pity Walcott.
About club vs international games, there should be no comparison. International players meet about 10 times a year and play 10-15 games. Club players meet everyday and play 45-55 games a year. Add the fact that a club can potentially buy any player, it’s clear that club football will be better. But there is no doubt that a player wants to win the World Cup more than a CL title.
July 2nd, 2006 at 5:39 am
Uummm…you guys know it…..
France won it and they actually showed up for the match unlike their south american rivals, i’m so damn proud of this great performance.
I actually watched this match surrounded by Brazil supporters and screamed for every foul and yellow card, and well when the goal came it was just heaven for me, you know Henry is the best…..
So now we have to take out those goddamn cheats,Portugal is a team i really have disliked during this WC, and it actually makes me kinda nervous to have to face them now when they’re really motivated, plus we picked up many yellow cards today so i hope this won’t be a spoiler….
I really don’t think i can take seeing Scolari celebrating again, plus France have been improving so good that i’d just be heartbroken to lose against the team i dislike the most …..
So …..i hope to see Zizou in the finals for one more time…..and i hope Henry can win it for them…..:)
July 2nd, 2006 at 6:11 am
You can desend into that race argument all by yourself as I ain’t going there at all with my comments.
Carrick is very talented, as we saw with that great dribble against Arsenal at highbury. He is a much better central midfielder than Flamini. Let’s remember Flamini does a good job at left back, that’s it.
July 2nd, 2006 at 9:53 am
Michael Carrick? Michael Carrick??!!!!!!!!
Ok… he’s a “good” player. But the 15 Million GBP price tag I’ve heard thrown around is just plain stupid. No way in hell is he worth anything approaching that amount. Sorry. Thats the OVERPRICING of British players at its finest.
So Spurs would be happy to bring in Zokora and sell Carrick, and thats not a warning bell going off?
I’d PASS on Carrick at that price. Let United overspend on him.
Transfers should start heating up!
Ash, Sol, Reyes… will they / won’t they…?
Kuyt / Yaya / Davies….. rumored to be on our wish list…
I’d like to see ASH stay, but I don’t think he will. Sol and Reyes, they could go and I wouldn’t be too upset, as long as we brought players in to replace them.
FRANCE.
July 2nd, 2006 at 10:08 am
its good to hear thats not where u were going to….good
i’m not saying flamini is a good player…..i am saying that carrick is just like flamini ……..an AVERAGE over-hyped player…..
if carrick was that talented Wenger would have got him when he was available for LESS than 2 million…
July 2nd, 2006 at 10:17 am
yeah, but this is the same amount we were rumored to be bidding for Yaya…..so how is this overprising of British talents???
Carrick is an average player…he is big but can’t tackle and lacks real bite. his passing is good…..but he is not even near our own Fabregas.
i sincerely hope we DONT get Yaya OR CARRICK
July 2nd, 2006 at 10:28 am
my wish list:
OUT: sol, reyes, poom
IN: RIBERY, davies, hargreaves
and IF we are going to play 4-3-3 then……KLOSE
if this transfer scenario occurs……..i’ll put down 500 pounds on us being in on the league crown tussle come may…..
July 2nd, 2006 at 10:39 am
Did I say Brazil? I meant Germany v. France.
July 2nd, 2006 at 10:52 am
Wigan probably would have beaten Brazil today. In fact, I’m going to show you how you - and this game - make my point.
France has improved in small increments since their last friendlies in the run up to the WC. Now, they look more like a club team - playing together, anticipating each other’s runs, being unselfish at the right times, and players knowing better their roles. Zizou is doing only what he needs to do in midfield now that the others surrounding him have found their rhythm. Its now that their individual talents and experience can shine.
Brazil on the other hand, were disjointed and looked surprisingly jaded. Ronaldo’s lack of fitness finally caught up to him, and Ronaldinho was unable to run at the French defense. Instead of being patient, they tried to one-touch the ball into the box at breakneck speed. It was like a Chinese fire drill out there. If a team doesn’t get on the same page, they will lose to a team who can. And with Brazil not defending well on set-pieces, something a club team practices (or is supposed to) day in and out, they got burned by a some excellent French cooperation and a class Titi finish.
Germany v. France would be a great final. Both teams are finding the top of their chemistry and rhythm and are truly worthy to fight it out for the cup.
July 2nd, 2006 at 11:07 am
a lot of ppl seem to be surprised that brazil was beaten….i wasn’t in anyway, though i was surprised france played so well…
they lacked that one thing…a strong “leader” type who takes responsibilty for the team….
in 2002 they had rivaldo……scolari basically gave him full responsibility for the team and told him “look, this is your team, i’m counting on you”. he then oversaw ronaldinho and the midfield while handling the supply to ronaldo…taking most games by the scruff of the neck.
we all know how that ended up…
in 2006…there is nobody there…ronaldinho and kaka….apart from playing far deeper than they do for their clubs, they are also not the types that will take responsibility.
i hear they are now all getting flak in brazil…..but what did they expect really? the team was disbalanced from the start. the coach is to blame
July 2nd, 2006 at 11:25 am
If Scolari were still in charge of Brazil, he would have made the tactical changes in the 2nd half seeing how the duo of Vieira and Makelele were strangling the Brazilian midfield and their supply chain to Ronaldo. No question the French rosed to the ocassion against Brazil but now they have to face Portugal and Scolari, the outcome is less clearer. Should make for an interesting game though and I am looking forth to a Italian vs Portuguese final with the Italians coming out on top ala 1982.
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:17 pm
No Scotty… Wigan can’t beat Brazil.
They could play 100 times in 100 days, and the outcome is always the same.
Brazil didn’t play well BECAUSE OF FRANCE.
They dominated in midfield with VIEIRA, ZZ, and Makelele… its pretty simple. They shut them down.
Not because Brazil played poorly.
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Yaya Toure is NOT going for 15 Million.
Not even CLOSE.
Its about half that amount if not less. He is rated around the same as Zokora.
I wouldn’t pay 15 Million of Yaya or Carrick. No way. Wenger wouldn’t either.
From the get-go, I said Yaya, Davies, & Rosicky.
Those are the 3 I wanted… and I think there is a good chance LeBoss and I are on the same page!
I think we’re gonna get all 3.
I am not even charging Wenger for the scouting!
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Sorry… but EVERYONE expected Brazil to play well. Did you watch any of their previous matches? There weren’t any complaints about being “disbalanced” then.
They had one bad match. Or… a match in which they were overrun in midfield. In a knock-out tournament, ONE bad match, and you are out.
Please… they were the same Brazil that had all the success. Hadn’t lost a World Cup match since 1998 to France in the Final. Thats not luck. Thats not the work of an unbalanced team or bad coaching.
Thats a ONE OFF loss… to a team playing well right now. Simple.
July 2nd, 2006 at 1:09 pm
wrong stag…..everyone (including I expected) but i was NOT surprised…i said at the beginnin of the WC that brazil will NOT win this world cup……check earlier posts.
i know ALL you want is for people to say that France was GREAT and not that brazil was bad…..
OK i will oblige you!….france was great…are you satisfied now??
now, the team WAS definitely disbalanced and lacking in a player to take responsibility (like in 2002)
ps: why are you talking about “not lost a match since the france ‘98″ ? its in this world cup that they have lacked the balance! in 2002, they had a different team, formation and coach…so its in THIS WC that they have been unbalanced…. FACT! take it or leave it.
July 2nd, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Maybe in America but over here everyone was talking about how bad the brazilian had been playing up until that point. Of course, they were the favourites, but only because everyone assumed they would raise their game. I swear I heard Eric Wynalda on ESPN say that the Brazilans weren’t playing great.
July 2nd, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Sorry, Stag,
When it comes down to the business end of things, we are just talking about European teams.
BTW, I would bet on Wigan to beat Brazil. Get tight on their key players, frustrate them and they don’t have the fluency or teamwork of a club team to overcome that.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:01 pm
I agree with you on the penalties thing.
Lehmann had done his preparation. The coach was on hand to remind him of the favoured penalty options of the takers. He saved two and got near some others.
Ricardo had obviously done his homework too. Saved three, a hand to another one.
But Paul Robinson…..hadn’t a clue where the ball was going.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:02 pm
You have to have a keeper who can save them as well.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Agreed. Klose has five, Henry has three, Toni has two. Only players left you can increase their tally.
July 2nd, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Wigan would chase Brazil all over the pitch. They would tackle, tackle, tackle, chase, chase, chase. Brazil would be trying flick, flick and flick. All pointless.
Arsenal play the Brazilian way but they need lots and lots of practice - Brazil don’t have that time together. Even then, Arsenal come unstuck against teams like Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn. Why would a football playing team with less cohesion than Arsenal do any better?
July 2nd, 2006 at 5:58 pm
I disagree. Try not to get blinded by the names out there. At the end of 90 its all about how they work together. Almost to a man Brazil wins this on paper. But they didn’t because they didn’t form any cohesive attack. Quite unlike them, and a workmanlike performance with a flash here and there of brilliance saw them undone.
There is just no substitute for top flight players training day in and out. The World Cup is spectacle, and myth. But you can’t win on reputation anymore than you can in the league.
And what Irishgunner said.
July 2nd, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Get Bent.
Brazil would beat Wigan like a drum.
All day every day.
If you think Wigan could compete with Brazil, you have lost your mind.
July 2nd, 2006 at 8:58 pm
Scotty, I know its been a tough few weeks for you with the re-born Patrick Vieira dominating again on the World Stage… France knocking out the so-called best team in the world… and let’s not forget the NE REVOLUTION beating those RedBulls.
But … as I said to Irish Gunner…
Get Bent… Get lost… get a grip on reality.
Brazil would absolutely embarrass Wigan every day, and twice on Tuesdays… they’d f**k them up. (just like France would)
The quality in the teams is like the Boston RedSox playing their farm team… Double A Portland SeaDogs. Wigan can play hard and rough and all that BullShite thats anti-football… but they’d still get their ass kicked. Its not even close on paper or on the pitch.
Get off the hallucingenics….please!
July 2nd, 2006 at 9:04 pm
They had not lost a World Cup match since the 1998 Final to Brazil. That is factual.
Everyone expected Brazil to lose?
Oh really? thats news… because I didn’t hear to many folks saying it… not the analysts, not the papers, not the websites.
France Portugal and Italy are ALL surprises to be in the Final 4.
July 2nd, 2006 at 11:06 pm
First of all, the Revs got lucky on that first goal. Secondly, you’re just having trouble coming to grips with the fact that, as amazing as it might sound, a half-decent, top-flight, club team can give a star-studded international squad a seriously hard time.
There are dozens of examples of great talents playing side by side that can’t get it to work in this World Cup alone. It almost defies common sense, but if you step back and examine the reality of it, common sense wins out. You seem to look at the lineup and make up your mind, stag. You’re ignoring some basic fundamentals of the game.
Your example of the BoSox and the Double A squad is an orange to my apple for several reasons. One, baseball is very different. There’s not anything resembling link-up play. Understand between teammates is not essential even 50% of the time, unless we’re talking catcher and pitcher. You can’t get mired in American sports philosophies or you’re going to get lost here. But to try and stay in that vein, do you think the L.A. Clippers could beat the Olympic dream team in a one-off? I do.
Its not about hard and rough, either, unless that’s the way the team works together best. But a collection of brilliant individuals, pulled from various leagues and teams that incorporate various styles and techniques, is just not as good as a solid club side that knows each other inside and out.
No hallucinogens, just a lack of myopia when it comes to big names and the name of the game.
July 3rd, 2006 at 12:30 am
No, I don’t think the LA Clippers would beat the Dream Team.
They’d get beaten like a drum.
Twice on Tuesdays.
Wigan or Bolton or Blackburn can’t beat Brazil.
Sorry.
Not in my lifetime anyway.
But you hold on to that idea that Wigan can beat Brazil. Its a good laugh.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:20 am
Yeah, just like Arsenal competing with Juventus.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 am
F*cking Puerto Rico beat the Dream Team twice in the same tournament in 2004. I don’t remember if both games were on a Tuesday but you get my point.
Puerto Rico! Are you f*cking kidding me? I’m from Jacksonville and my home town’s bigger than Puerto Rico. No way on paper, but games aren’t won on paper. After the Arsenal/Juventus thing you should know that.
But Brasil has sucked this entire world cup. They haven’t impressed in the least and France called bullshit. They were ripe for pickin and France went out and did a professional job. At the end of the day, you’ve got to respect that.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:40 am
Wigan could easily beat Brazil in a one-off. I’m not saying every time, but if they played 10 times, Wigan could snatch a couple of wins, no problem.
As we have seen time and time again in football, it’s not all about players on the teamsheet. Look at Real Madrid’s Galacticos if you want further proof. Theoretically, the likes of Salgado, Carlos, Helguera, Guti, Cassano, Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo, Raul, Robinho, Baptista, blah blah should wipe the floor with most Spanish teams week in, week out, but the fact is - they don’t. If memory Serves me well, they even lost 6-0 to some mid-table Spanish team in a cup match this year. And then Real thrashed them in the return league because they bothered to make the effort.
Besides, Arsenal, Chelsea, Utd would beat most International teams and could easily spar with Brazil, and seeing as Wigan knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup, what does that tell you?
Unfortunately, for him, this is just another example of Stag’s total ignorance concerning all things football. The more he watches, the less he understands.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:43 am
The day the boss and you are on the same page is the day Thierry Henry mutates ino a pink elephant.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:47 am
Many pundits and people in the UK were predicting a France victory, even Leonardo who has been doing World Cup commentary throught the tournament on the BBC has been criticising Brazil throughout the tournament saying the team is unbalanced and will not win the tournament unless they radically improve.
I thought Brazil would win, because France were simply atrocious in their opening games and didn’t think they been tested at the back either - but they went up 2 gears and Brazil went down 2, so now they’re out. I don’t think so many people were surprised - well, not anyone I’ve spoken to.
July 3rd, 2006 at 11:06 am
Are you serious?
They threw together a bunch of NBA players a few weeks before the Olympics.
The BEST players did not even play for the US.
Shaq, Kobe & K.Garnett didn’t play.
So if Brazil played without Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano… maybe the chances of beating them would greatly increse.
National teams in football play together… train together, have international friendlies on a regular basis.
If I put together an NBA team with Shaq, KG and Kobe, Steve Nash, Ben Wallace, Paul Pierce, Chauncy Billups, D.Wade and 5 guys named Moe… they’d embarrass the Clippers. Just like Brazil would embarrass Wigan.
We’re not talking the same scenario.
Line-Up Brazil and Wigan, and I would bet on Brazil EVERY SINGLE TIME.
If you’d bet on Wigan, you’re insane.
They can’t beat them.
July 3rd, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I’ve never been a fan of England and didn’t believe they would do well. Old Sven deserves the heat he’s getting. To bring 4 strikers when two of them aren’t fit along with Crouch and Walcott, are you kidding? Crouch did his best which was was never good enough. The crap about Walcott learning from this experience is utter bullshit. I was happy our guy got to go but he could have gotten his experience after he had rightfully earned his roster spot.
The biggest point was Rooney. To take a 20 year old kid when he hasn’t played in atleast 2 months and tell him he’s going to play alone up front, (something he’s never done) in his very first World Cup is, by far, the stupidest thing Sven did. Sure Henry does it but Thierry is 28 and this is his third time at the big dance. He’s already got a winners medal and a red card. He’s a vet.
To make it so bad, the midfield didn’t give Rooney any support. There were 5 experienced English midfielders there just watching to see what Rooney could do. They should watch from the f*cking sideline, Sven. The only time Cole got forward was when he was dribbling or waiting for a pass from Ash. He only plays for himself and that’s why Mourinho benches him all the time.
Rooney was isolated and double-teamed by that queer, Carvalho who was trying to stick his member in Rooney’s butt. It’s gotta be tough trying to play with your asshole shoved full of penis. Rooney couldn’t take the pressure anymore and kicked Carvalho in the balls, thus finishing the tournament with more red cards than goals. Blame that on the leadership.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:43 am
For someone who says he’s never been an England fan, you have a strange way of showing it.
You were doing well until you come out with all that homophobic sh*t at the end. Tragic.