By gum, that CIA poison takes it’s time.
World Cup!
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Pepe backfisted him. That wasn’t just “one of those things that happen sometimes” like what happened to Dempsey. I call good on Mueller for taking the “dive.”
The headbutt was totally worthy of ejection especially on back of the punch.
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That was a weak-ass red card. Soccer is the sport that could use a review system the most, I think, but no one would go for it because it would “kill” the flow of the game. Nevermind the fact that you probably lose 30 minutes to the constant roll-in-the-grass dramatics, celebrations after a score, fouls, etc.
I mean, I’m not a soccer rule expert (and many of which I wonder who the hell thought THAT was a good idea), but to call that a headbutt (which is insulting to Zidane) is to liken two cars kissing bumpers to an auto wreck.
I will continue to watch and enjoy the games, but that whiny baby BS needs to go, and a review system would be the best way to combat it.
Also: Mueller should be ashamed of himself. Not only was it fake, it was terribly faked. He looked like a complete weeny “selling” that foul.
Maybe you are really not an expert? Apparently, many Americans still need to emphasize how tough they are, even if only by proxy? So whats the proper English expression for Pepes deed? Light touch with the forehead? Not ok in soccer, like it or not.
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Everything the US needs to do, is play two draws and they are good to go next round.
Believe it or not, but Germany did not play very well against Portugal but knew how to take advantage of the situation.
I saw better games of them! -
Outstanding Ochoa ,well played Mexico!
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Well earned draw. Means a draw with Croatia will see them through.
Croatia, despite a better game against Brazil would go home because the refeering was poor in the opening game. -
Pepe backfisted him. That wasn’t just “one of those things that happen sometimes” like what happened to Dempsey. I call good on Mueller for taking the “dive.”
The headbutt was totally worthy of ejection especially on back of the punch.
That’s as much of a hit to the face as Mueller as Pepe in an armbar. To me it was incidental but perhaps bad taste to have arms up like that. I don’t know a precedence, but if that warrants a card then that’s weaksauce. Spot Germany the ball if you feel it was a foul.
This is a hit, IMO:
@alexgreat:
Maybe you are really not an expert? Apparently, many Americans still need to emphasize how tough they are, even if only by proxy? So whats the proper English expression for Pepes deed? Light touch with the forehead? Not ok in soccer, like it or not.
Yes, I’m the problem here. No, what I see is a sport that wants to be taken seriously in the US but is completely flush with bullshit, and that’s the status quo. It’s pathetic when a poor tackle is recognized by the player and the victim and they play on is the exception, not the rule. I’m not asking to be the NFL or rugby, I’m saying the sport needs to clean up and police itself and not let these antics play out. To me, it’s less sportsmanlike than getting heated during a match.
And for your info:
Headbutt
Touching heads
I’m not saying that’s what he was trying to do, but he certainly wasn’t trying to injure or strike with a blow from his head. In a loud stadium, maybe he was apologizing. Maybe he was checking if he was ok. Hell if I know, and neither do you. But it’s ridiculous if it’s an instant red card as soon as foreheads come together. Why is that even verboten? They were nearly in embrace seconds earlier. I just saw a Russian player knock down a Korean player, and he then tried to help him stretch his leg out. Why not red card that? Logically, the rules don’t make sense. Don’t even bother going into “he has a history”. I don’t care, and it’s not at all relevant to the play.Pull a Zidane, red card no question.
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It wasn’t the punch that got him the red card. That was just a free kick to Germany. I often see some variation of that sort of thing awarded a free kick.
The head butt was what got him the red card. Don’t lose your cool when a call goes against you. Pretty simple.
I don’t have a problem with the card and wouldn’t be terribly bent out of shape if he didn’t get it either. I also don’t know if Pepe had warnings from the ref. before. From the sounds of it the Portugal team was getting very frustrated all around. Maybe the ref was scared of losing control of the match. Sometimes these sorts of calls aren’t just about the incident in question.
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It should have been yellow. The “headbutt” was just a note to Muller that Pepe didn’t like being conned. And, it completely destroyed the game as a contest - I didn’t bother watching the 2nd half.
FIFA corruption will come to a head on the Qatar issue. There has probably always been corruption in the choice of host nation, just like in the Olympics.
London got the Olympics, so its the greatest show on earth. England didn’t get the World Cup, so FIFA is a cesspool of filth. But Qatar is only very slightly less unsuitable as a venue than the dark side of the moon, so the corrupt bidding process is there for all to see.
The only good thing that might come from it is a winter World Cup in England. I’d love to see Brazil having to play at Newcastle in January with a freezing sleet blowing in off the North sea.
Spain must win tonight to stay alive; I think age has caught up with them like Uruguay and Portugal, but not convinced Chile are good enough to take advantage.
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It should have been yellow. The “headbutt” was just a note to Muller that Pepe didn’t like being conned. And, it completely destroyed the game as a contest - I didn’t bother watching the 2nd half.
The ‘contest’ was over before Pepe was even carded. The red just took all hope of a miracle away.
The biggest effect of the card will show itself in the game against USA. Coentrão is officially done with the World Cup and Pepe getting himself ejected means Portugal will be without two of their backline starters in their game against US. This is somewhat ameliorated by the fact that the US forwards will also be a scratch (and injured) unit.
Dempsey suffered a broken nose and had trouble breathing after he got kicked in the face. No word on whether he’ll wear a mask or not, but a mask is being considered. And of course Altidore is out for Portugal at the very least. Doctors are hoping he’ll be able to have a fast recovery, but he won’t see the field again until Germany at the very earliest. A banged up backline vs a banged up group of attackers could be the deciding factor in the game. US will likely need multiple goals if it hopes to draw/win.
We know USA has a pretty good defense and Bessler will be good to go vs Portugal. And as a last defense, Howard’s one of the best in the world. But against Ronaldo & Co, it’s a stretch to think a one goal game will be enough for the US to get the result they need.
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I’m a bit baffled as to how Qatar could even be considered. I would think as far as playing a game goes the Dark Side of the Moon would be friendlier to players. At least then they’d have some sort of environmental protection in needing spacesuits instead of being expected to run around for ninety minutes in a dessert in summer.
That one will end up a war of attrition. The winning team will be the one with the fewest players keeled over from heat stroke. How do they even expect to provide suitable playing surfaces? Are they building a half dozen or more domed stadiums?
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It is also expected for the host nation to stay in the competition.
Does anyone think Qatar will gain a point, let alone progress from the group?
It is a ridiculous state of affairs. -
Qatar as a WC host is a slap in the face to the other countries that were bidding to host. I’m with you all, FIFA needs to be cleaned up of all it’s corruption.
And in other news . . . The Roos are giving Oranje a tough test. Australia up 2-1 in the 55th and attacking looking for a 3rd goal.
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I got to watch Australia and the Netherlands play till the Netherlands tied it, but had a customer and could not finish the game, but what I watched was an awesome game. :-D
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Looks like Spain is about to go home!
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And Spain is eliminated!
Netherlands is moving on which most expected. But Spain isn’t the other team in the group to advance like many expected. Seriously, not many would have picked Netherlands and Chile to be the teams to get through this group. And Spain’s facing a pretty decent shot to end group play against Australia without a point with the way they’re playing. Australia’s showed a lot more fight against both Chile and Netherlands than Spain did. Australia actually played well enough to give themselves a shot in both games, unlike Spain.
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The King is gone,the WCS King is gone, long live the…?
HUP ORANJE HUP!
And the US is on the Hunt! get CR7!!
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Gonna pull an IL here and say I told ya so regarding Suarez sticking it to his Liverpool teammates.
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Where is Costa Rica? Great game guys.
Italy lacked imagination and verve. -
Oh geez, Costa Rica advances!
And Italy and Uruguay play each other, winner advances. Uruguay and Costa Rica could be the two teams that come out of this group and who would’ve put money on that before the games started?
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@wittmann:
Where is Costa Rica? Great game guys.
Italy lacked imagination and verve.It is by Panama, in Central America. :-)
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