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| Highwire Rob |
Great to hear Voodoo!
So in a way, you were gettin' high? so to speak... 
[Edited by Highwire Rob] |
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| VoodooChileInWOnderl |
quote:
Highwire Rob wrote:
Great to hear Voodoo!
So in a way, you were gettin' high? so to speak...
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| gustavobala |
until now:
11 games
27 goals
one only tied up to (tinidad e tobago 0 x 0 suécia), but the games are not being good, IMHO |
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| Gazza |
you seem to watching a different tournament to most people, Gustavo - everyone I've spoken to so far has found most of the games pretty good
Very enjoyable stuff so far, especially considering the knock out stages are still a couple of weeks away...and we havent seen Brazil or France yet! |
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| Gazza |
quote:
Jumping Jack wrote:
We've been HUMILIATED!!! :-(
I wouldnt say that. The Czechs are, what, rated 2nd in the world? Terrific side with some exceptional players - possibly the best team I've seen so far. All 3 goals were superb - especially the second one. Might have been a bit different if Reyna's shot had gone in instead of hitting the post at 1-0.
The US have been a bit unlucky to get such a tough draw. two of the best sides in Europe plus a pretty useful Ghana team as well. |
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| stewed & Keefed |
Angola 0-1 Portugal
Portugal got the better of former colony Angola to move level on points with Mexico at the top of Group D.
Pedro Pauleta, who almost scored after just 12 seconds, gave Portugal the lead on five minutes with a neat shot after Luis Figo's run and cross.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit the bar with a thumping header for Portugal, though Angola finished the half strongly.
The second half never quite lived up to the first half's promise though Pauleta and Maniche went close for Portugal.
Figo has spent most of international career patrolling the right flank for country, but at the age of 33 he is now deployed in a more central role, with Simao Sabrosa and Ronaldo doing the running for him.
Angola never quite got to grips with the freedom Portugal allowed Figo, who also provided a threat from set-pieces.
It was from a Figo corner that Ronaldo hit the bar with a powerful header on 35 minutes.
Just before the interval Ronaldo drew a fine save from Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo with a powerful shot.
On the hour Ronaldo was taken off by coach Luis Felipe Scolari, a decision that clearly angered the Manchester United forward.
Pauleta, who is Portugal's record goalscorer, might have given the European side the lead with the game barely 12 seconds old.
Sabrosa's pass released the Paris St Germain striker whose shot beat Joao Ricardo only to go the wrong side of the post.
Figo might be in the twilight of his career, but Portugal's captain still possesses an impressive burst of speed as he showed in creating the opening goal.
He sprinted past the leaden-footed Jamba before crossing for Pauleta, who sent a left-footed shot past Ricardo.
Making their World Cup debut, Angola must have feared the worst after that Pauleta goal, particularly as they had lost 6-0 and 5-1 in their two previous meetings with Portugal.
Figo was named as man of the match
But to their immense credit Angola refused to be overawed and went on the offensive.
Fabrice Akwa tried a couple of ambitious bicycle kicks, while Antonio Mendonca and Andre Mateus had long-range shots.
Three minutes before the interval another Angola shot, this time from Andre Macanga, drew a fine save from Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo.
The second half had a subdued opening, though Pauleta tried to reinvigorate Portugal with an ambitious curling shot and then a clever pass that set up a Tiago effort.
Scolari replaced Ronaldo with the more defensive Costinha as Portugal's coach attempted to close down the midfield, testament to the way Angola had rattled their European opponents.
While Portugal sought to protect their lead, Angola replaced Akwa with Pedro Mantorras, but the Benfica forward was unable to change the course of the game.
Substitute Maniche almost snatched a second Portugal goal late on with a rising drive.
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Angola: Joao Ricardo, Jamba, Kali, Loco, Delgado, Figueiredo (Miloy 80), Macanga, Mateus, Mendonca, Ze Kalanga (Edson 70), Akwa (Mantorras 59).
Subs Not Used: Lama, Airosa, Lebo-Lebo, Rui Marques, Flavio, Love, Buengo, Mario, Marco.
Booked: Jamba, Loco, Macanga.
Portugal: Ricardo, Meira, Miguel, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho, Petit (Maniche 72), Tiago (Viana 82), Figo, Ronaldo (Costinha 59), Pauleta, Simao.
Subs Not Used: Quim, Paulo Ferreira, Caneira, Ricardo Costa, Boa Morte, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Santos, Postiga, Deco.
Booked: Ronaldo, Nuno Valente.
Goals: Pauleta 4.
Att: 45,000.
Ref: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Fifa man of the match: Luis Figo.
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| stewed & Keefed |
USA 0-3 Czech Republic
Czech Republic got off to a flying start with a fabulous victory over USA.
Giant striker Jan Koller headed home a Zdenek Grygera cross after five minutes before Tomas Rosicky's 30-yard screamer doubled their half-time advantage.
After Koller went off injured Tomas Ujfalusi headed wide and Rosicky hit the bar, before racing through and chipping over Kasey Keller to seal it.
USA captain Claudio Reyna saw a 25-yard shot cannon back off a post in the first half, but they were well beaten.
It was the first meeting between the two sides since the 1990 World Cup, when the Czechs won 5-1, though they were Czechoslovakia then.
They were always in charge in Gelsenkirchen, too, with Juventus playmaker Pavel Nevded dictating the game as he pushed further forward in the absence of injured striker Milan Baros.
With five minutes on the clock Nedved fed in Grygera and the full-back's inch-perfect right-wing cross was clinically headed home by 6ft 7in Koller.
USA enjoyed plenty of possession, but the Czechs - and the brilliant Nedved in particular - always had another gear to move into.
His outrageous outside-of-the-foot cross landed on Grygera's head, but he could only nod over.
The Americans so nearly made them pay moments later, Reyna drilling a 25-yard daisy-cutter that crashed back into play off Petr Cech's right-hand post with the Chelsea stopper beaten.
Koller heads home the opener
Nine minutes before half-time it was game over, Rosicky taking aim 30 yards from goal and rifling a right-foot rocket past Keller.
Czech Republic were denied their perfect half when Koller clutched his hamstring in agony and was stretchered off - an injury that could end his tournament.
But with Vratislav Lokvenc on in his place it was business as usual after half-time and it was nearly 3-0 when Ujfalusi glanced a header wide from a free-kick.
The Czechs were rampant and they had several chances to further underline their superiority.
Nedved exquisitely played in Lokvenc, who could only shoot tamely at Keller, before Jaroslav Plasil crossed for Karel Poborsky to volley over from a tight angle.
Rosicky nearly did it again from distance, this time the Arsenal midfielder letting fly from 25 yards only to see the ball smack against the crossbar.
He eventually wrapped it with up with 14 minutes left, surging on to another majestic Nedved pass and sublimely toe-poking past Keller into the roof of the net.
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USA: Keller, Onyewu, Mastroeni (Johnson 45), Pope, Cherundolo (O'Brien 45), Reyna, Beasley, Convey, Lewis, McBride (Wolff 77), Donovan.
Subs Not Used: Albright, Berhalter, Bocanegra, Ching, Conrad, Dempsey, Hahnemann, Howard, Olsen.
Booked: Onyewu, Reyna.
Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Poborsky (Polak 82), Galasek, Rosicky (Stajner 86), Plasil, Nedved, Koller (Lokvenc 45).
Subs Not Used: Baros, Blazek, Heinz, Jarolim, Jiranek, Kinsky, Kovac, Mares, Sionko.
Booked: Rozehnal, Lokvenc, Rosicky, Grygera.
Goals: Koller 5, Rosicky 36, 76.
Att: 52,000.
Ref: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay).
Fifa man of the match: Tomas Rosicky.
TRIVIA
With an average age of 29 years and 49 days, the US fielded their oldest ever line-up in a World Cup match. The Czech starting line-up was also the oldest ever (including Czechoslovakia) with an average age of 28 years and 335 days. Jan Koller became the second oldest World Cup scorer for the Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia at 33 years and 74 days. The record holder is Antonin Panenka (33 years and 204 days in 1982).
The USA continued to struggle against European opposition at the World Cup. Their record against teams from Europe is now three wins, one draw and 11 defeats.
Tomas Rosicky became the fifth player to score twice at this tournament. The others are Miroslav Klose (Germany), Omar Bravo (Mexico), Paulo Wanchope (Costa Rica) and Tim Cahill (Australia).
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| stewed & Keefed |
Italy 2-0 Ghana
Italy got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a deserved victory over Ghana in Hanover.
Andrea Pirlo opened the scoring with a rasping long-range drive in the first half and substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta extended the advantage near the end.
World Cup debutants Ghana played their part in an entertaining match and defender Emmanuel Pappoe wasted their best chance before the interval.
But Italy, prompted by the superb Pirlo, were more clinical throughout.
Luca Toni, the winner of last season's Golden Boot after scoring 31 goals for Fiorentina, led the line well for them and could potentially be a star of the tournament.
After 27 minutes he almost scored with a superb piece of individual skill.
The 29-year-old controlled an Alberto Gilardino flick-on before unleashing a venomous volley that thumped the crossbar and bounced down in front of the line.
Ghana, prompted by their confident captain Stephen Appiah, also threatened.
Pappoe wasted a great chance when he blazed over from 14 yards after finding himself unmarked inside the area.
Pirlo punished this profligacy by giving Italy the lead after 40 minutes.
The AC Milan midfielder, who pulls the strings for Italy with his clever movement and perceptive passing, scored from 35 yards out after being picked out by Francesco Totti from a left-sided corner.
Ghana were the better side after the interval as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
But the Italians, marshalled by captain Fabio Cannavaro in central defence, held firm and threatened on the counter-attack.
Simone Perotta was played in by Daniele Di Rossi after 67 minutes but shot too close to Richard Kingston.
Substitute Iaquinta put the result beyond doubt when he scored seven minutes from the end.
Pirlo was again the instigator, intercepting a pass deep inside his own half before playing the ball forward.
Samuel Kuffour underhit a backpass and Udinese's Iaquinta capitalised to round the keeper before sliding the ball into an empty net.
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Italy: Buffon, Zaccardo, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso, Totti (Camoranesi 56), Perrotta, Pirlo, De Rossi, Toni (Del Piero 82), Gilardino (Iaquinta 64).
Subs Not Used: Amelia, Barone, Barzagli, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Materazzi, Oddo, Peruzzi, Zambrotta.
Booked: De Rossi, Camoranesi, Iaquinta.
Goals: Pirlo 40, Iaquinta 83.
Ghana: Kingston, Pantsil, Kuffour, Mensah, Pappoe (Shilla 45), Muntari, Essien, Appiah, Eric Addo, Gyan (Tachie-Mensah 89), Amoah (Pimpong 68).
Subs Not Used: Otto Addo, Adjei, Ahmed, Boateng, Dramani, Mohamed, Owu, Quaye, Sarpei.
Booked: Muntari, Gyan.
Att: 43,000.
Ref: Carlos Eugenio Simon (Brazil).
Fifa man of the match: Andrea Pirlo.
(126 caps) and Dino Zoff (112) are the only two who have played more international matches for Italy.
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| stewed & Keefed |
Australia 3-1 Japan
Substitute Tim Cahill's late double inspired Australia to an historic victory over Japan in Kaiserslautern.
Japan took the lead when Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer appeared to be impeded as Shunsuke Nakamura's intended cross sailed over his head.
But Cahill drilled in a loose ball from close range on 84 minutes and lashed home from 18 yards soon after.
John Aloisi then sealed a first World Cup finals victory for Australia with a well-placed shot in injury time.
Japan's Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the first goalkeeper called into action, forced into a double save from Mark Viduka.
The Middlesbrough striker broke clear to first fire in a right-foot shot from a narrow angle, and then a left-foot follow-up effort which was parried for a corner.
Australia fell behind in circumstances which were at best soft, and at worst controversial.
Nakamura drifted in a hopeful ball and Schwarzer seemed to be impeded by Atsushi Yanagisawa, but Egyptian referee Essam Abdel Fatah waved away Australian protests.
Kewell almost found a quick response with a curling shot which grazed the top of the bar.
Viduka was proving a handful for the Japanese defence and a foul on the Middlesbrough striker set up a chance for Marco Bresciano, who almost embarrassed Kawaguchi as he went for goal with the keeper expecting a cross.
Aloisi scored Australia's third goal in injury time
Australia coach Guus Hiddink threw on Cahill and Josh Kennedy, and the big striker's height gave the Japanese defence a different set of problems as the Socceroos took a more direct route.
Kennedy was fouled on the edge of the box by Teruyuki Moniwa to give Viduka the chance to power in a free-kick, drawing a great save from Kawaguchi.
But the keeper was at fault as Cahill grabbed a lifeline for Australia.
Kawaguchi failed to claim Lucas Neill's long throw and Cahill ended a scramble in emphatic fashion, firing home Australia's first World Cup finals goal from close range.
The Everton midfielder was at the heart of the action and escaped conceding a penalty when he clearly clipped Yuichi Komano as he headed for goal.
But five minutes after levelling, Cahill found space on the edge of the box to put his side ahead with a thumping shot off the inside of the post.
Australia were fired up and they iced the cake when another substitute, Aloisi, finished coolly after bursting through the middle of the Japanese defence.
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Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore (Kennedy 61), Culina, Wilkshire (Aloisi 75), Emerton, Grella, Bresciano (Cahill 52), Chipperfield, Kewell, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Beauchamp, Covic, Kalac, Lazaridis, Milligan, Popovic, Skoko, Sterjovski, Thompson.
Booked: Grella, Moore, Cahill, Aloisi.
Goals: Cahill 84, 89, Aloisi 90.
Japan: Kawaguchi, Komano, Miyamoto, Santos, Tsuboi (Moniwa 56), Nakazawa, Fukunishi, Hidetoshi Nakata, Nakamura, Takahara, Yanagisawa (Ono 79), Moniwa (Oguro 90). Subs Not Used: Doi, Endo, Inamoto, Kaji, Maki, Koji Nakata, Narazaki, Ogasawara, Tamada.
Booked: Miyamoto, Takahara, Moniwa.
Goals: Nakamura 26.
Att: 46,000
Ref: Essam Abdel Fatah (Egypt).
Fifa man of the match: Tim Cahill.
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| Soldatti |
Congrats to Australia, their first goals on the world cup history.
The Czechs are a tough team and serious candidates. |
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| stonedinaustralia |
yes - i was surprised myself to learn that in Australia's only other appearance at the finals (in '74) not only didn't they win a match they didn't even score a goal - but the game was a very amatuer and marginal sport here back then - now as most of you know, probably better than i, we provide players to "A" list european teams
Australian punches well above its weight insofar as the presence of either australian teams or individuals goes in the top rankings of many world sports given its relatively modest population - so look out!!
and as angie says well done Guus too - the man is well on his way to becoming an australian by adoption whether he likes it or not
so bring on Brazil and then we'll see where we really stand
[Edited by stonedinaustralia] |
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| Daethgod |
what a game for the Aussies !
Goals: Cahill 84, 89, Aloisi 90.
what a comeback !
BRING ON BRAZIL and CROATIA !
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| Jumacfly |
message to Angie: your team is not in the RO league, don't know if it s becuz you logged too late.
Aussies did a great final!!
but japanese were very disapointing, they clearly suffer from jetlag and weather in europe...hope the same for Korea.
tonight France plays his first game against the very dangerous and so arrogant Swiss team (this guy Frei is a real asshole).... we need a great Ribery et Allez les bleus!!
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Jumacfly wrote:
Allez les bleus!!
You're pulling for Italy? |
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| Honky Tonk Man |
I can't believe I've posted so little in the thread I started!
Anyway, what a tournament so far! 3 points or not, we haven't got off to the best of starts! A 1-0 victory via an own goal against Paraguay isn’t very encouraging and neither is Owens fitness, Eriksson’s baffling tactics and well, Theo Walcott just BEING there!
I'm SO looking forward to Thursdays match against Trinidad and Tobago. They were a joy to watch against Sweden, but I fear it's time for them to receive a thrashing! 
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| Gazza |
I like the fact that the USA's coach is called Bruce Arena. What a great name - it would be perfect for a concert venue in New Jersey. |
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| scratched |
Well done Aussies!
England, pull your socks up - that won't do!  |
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| Sir Stonesalot |
I do not care how good the Czechs are...the US team sucked. This was supposed to be the Cup that showed the world that you have to take the US seriously. That we could compete with the very best teams in the world....3-0, and the match wasn't really even that close. That is NOT what I call a competitive match. And it won't get any easier...Italy is next up. If the US plays like they did against the Czechs, it could be a 5 goal game. And I'm not exaggerating.
The US played timid and tight, and showed a clear lack of organization and creativity. Beasley didn't even look like he was trying. That game was simply embarrassing. |
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| Jumacfly |
quote:
Angiegirl wrote:
You're pulling for Italy?
hu hu...never!!
and re you pulling for Ivory Coast honey  ??
they got a nicer oranje, less fluo than the one of your fav team! |
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| gustavobala |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
you seem to watching a different tournament to most people, Gustavo - everyone I've spoken to so far has found most of the games pretty good
Very enjoyable stuff so far, especially considering the knock out stages are still a couple of weeks away...and we havent seen Brazil or France yet!
ok gazza, but i am affraid today with my country
the most of my friends likes until now this world cup, but i don´t
the best until now:
italia
republic checks
argentina |
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| gustavobala |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
I wouldnt say that. The Czechs are, what, rated 2nd in the world? Terrific side with some exceptional players - possibly the best team I've seen so far. All 3 goals were superb - especially the second one. Might have been a bit different if Reyna's shot had gone in instead of hitting the post at 1-0.
The US have been a bit unlucky to get such a tough draw. two of the best sides in Europe plus a pretty useful Ghana team as well.
i agree, japan was humiliated, won until 84 minutes, and in 8 minutes take 3 goals??????!!!!!!!
USA lost in pre-game´s world cup to marroco in home 2-0!!!!!this can explain something! |
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| gustavobala |
well, someone can help me?
i am looking for a ronnie with a brazilian team t-shirt in 1978 (i suppose)
i think was in 78 tour (the t-shirt is just like a from 1978 wolrd cup in argentina) or Saturday night live in 1978!
ronnie are with another stones!
please!
ps- brazil gone stop after 02:00 pm, the game will start here at 04:00 pm local hour! |
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| Jumacfly |
Goal for TOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Gazza |
quote:
gustavobala wrote:
ok gazza, but i am affraid today with my country
fear not. Croatia are a shadow of the team they used to be. A comfortable win for every football fan's second favourite team |
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| gustavobala |
south korea 2 - 1 togo |
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| gustavobala |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
fear not. Croatia are a shadow of the team they used to be. A comfortable win for every football fan's second favourite team
but, football is a suprise´s box ....lol, let´s wait, nobody wins before the game, right? |
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| Honky Tonk Man |
South Korea 2-1 Togo
I was really rooting for the West Africans in this match. They've had so many problems of late and I really had high hopes when they scored first. Neither team excelled in the first 45, but South Korea was undoubtedly the better in the second half. I think they deserved the victory overall on performance, but Togo deserved it for other reasons.
Oh well, its France Vs Switzerland next. Here’s hoping Swiss make my night!
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| Bruno |
quote:
gustavobala wrote:
but, football is a suprise´s box ....lol, let´s wait, nobody wins before the game, right?
"surprise´s box" Hahahahahah Gustavo!
Hey people, are you ready for Brazil? We´re coming...
The so called "art-footbal" is about to show... |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Jumacfly wrote:
hu hu...never!!
and re you pulling for Ivory Coast honey ??
they got a nicer oranje, less fluo than the one of your fav team!
Lol, if they'd been in another group: perhaps
But unfortunately, they'll be orange juice this Friday (even though they -Ivory Coast- will play in white (ivory?), hehe).
--> wishful thinking, I know...
I've been yelling "Allez Les Blues" all afternoon with a colleague of mine, who is French, his name is Laurent. We drove our other (Dutch) colleagues crazy I believe |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Bruno wrote:
Hey people, are you ready for Brazil? We´re coming...
The so called "art-footbal" is about to show...
Too true, can't wait to see the football world champions of Brazil enter the field later on.
I just hope they'll live up to their reputation. I feel sorry for Croatia already. To have to face Brazil in your first match must be quite depressing... |
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