The last 8. Onwards the semis
Hello world.
The World Cup has reached its quaterfinals stage already, with some very exciting matchups in this stage of the tournament...
Germany vs Argentina
Germany & Argentina are by far the most convincing teams in the tournament. Argentina came off unscathed in Group C or so called the "Group of Death" and Germany has so far won only normal teams. But their showing against Sweden proved critics wrong. Then again, there's home advantage for the Germans to overcome Argentina. Argentina to go through.
Italy vs Ukraine
Well, Forza Italia!
England vs Portugal
England look very unconvincing so far, and even though Portugal is without Deco, Costinha & Ronaldo, I believe Maniche, Simao and Figo should be enough to finish the job.
France vs Brazil
The 98 champions are back, especially in the 2nd half against Spain where they nullify their opponent with ruthless efficiency. Brazil's 4-2-4 formation is very vulnerable although it possesses very good strike force. I always believed football is won in the midfield. I don't see Emerson & Ze Roberto overcoming Vieira, Makelele, Malouda & Ribery. France to go through.
Makes sense?
Italy win was fair dinkum
Claims that Italy robbed Australia of a place in the last eight of the World Cup are rife across the globe today. But, as Antonio Labbate argues, the unappreciated Azzurri are the true victims
There was nothing scandalous about Italy’s victory over Australia in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday. At the end of 90 minutes, the best team on both paper and the pitch had qualified for the quarter-finals with a gutsy display that deserved recognition. Instead, the heroes of Kaiserslautern are insulted, labelled as thieves, asked to feel shame instead of joy. Strewth, what do the Azzurri have to do to gain any credit in this game?
Italy robbed nobody at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. If anything, Marcello Lippi’s boys were the true victims in a game which turned with the wrongful dismissal of Marco Materazzi. The Inter stopper is no angel, his reputation underlines that fact, yet there was nothing devilish about his challenge on Marco Bresciano. It was mistimed, not cynical, not dangerous and definitely not worthy of an early bath
Up until that point, it was Italy who were threatening to ripple the net with more purposeful attacking plays. The Luca Toni of three months ago would have comfortably fired his side into a commanding position had he shown a little more composure in front of goal. While Aussie claims that they had more of the ball are true, they did little with it – both before and after the Materazzi injustice.
The Socceroos failed to take advantage of the extra man, perhaps thinking that they had some sort of divine right to dump the three-time world champions out of Germany 2006. What they realise now is that it is going to take some effort to defeat this Italy side, one which is unbeaten in over 20 games. There was simply no way that Lippi’s troops, full of character and fighting spirit, were going to go home as second round casualties for the second World Cup running.
Of course, the main gripe from the men from Down Under comes in relation to the debatable penalty decision. It admittedly wasn’t clear cut, contentious, harsh, but these things happen in football as they do in cricket when it comes to LBW decisions. And you definitely don’t need Hawkeye technology to see Lucas Neill providing Fabio Grosso with a barrier in which to run into. A snick-o-meter may have perhaps been useful to assess whether any contact was actually made, but there was no doubt that Neill was guilty of a dropped catch just before tea.
The disappointment in some of the post-match comments from the gutsy Australians was understandable, but others were nothing short of scandalous. Scott Chipperfield had the audacity to lament that referees seem to favour the footballing superpowers. "They look after the big nations," he said. "They want the big countries through to the semis and finals. It's always the way."
As if the Materazzi red card doesn’t provide enough evidence to ridicule that claim, perhaps Chipperfield should ask his Coach, Guus Hiddink, about what happened between Italy and South Korea four years ago when a certain Byron Moreno was blowing the whistle. Now that was a game in which a team [Italy, that is] was robbed, yesterday’s result was simply fair dinkum.
Source:
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/2006/fairdinkum.htmlAntonio Labbate is football expert with Channel4.com
sick of it all
Italy 1 - 0 Australia
Totti pen 94
I believe we deserved the win.
Good game and credits to Australia. I think they played an excellent game.
I've had enough people messaging me on MSN and tell me how they felt about the game. Saying this and that, that Italy cheated or whatsoever.
Did Materazzi deserved the direct red?
Its controversial.
I think it should had been a yellow.
You all can say whatever you all like about how he tackled the fella and deserved the red.
Let me tell you this. He was not the last man. Zambrotta was beside the Australian fella.
Sure it was a bad tackle but I don't think a direct red card was deserved.
You people can say Australia didn't deserved to lose. Yup you were right. But we didn't deserved to lose either I believe!!?!?
Look at our first half!? Which team threatened the goal more!?
BE HONEST????
Back to the red card.
Up until that point, the Italians looked in control but then heroically defended before Fabio Grosso won a debatable penalty in the 94th minute.
Come on man, you think Australia will get such a long spell of attack if Materazzi wasn't sent off?
Look at the 1st half, tell me truthfully, who was the better team? When it was 11 vs 11.
Argue all you want.
Yes we were lucky. I can't deny that.
But if you wanna fucking blame someone for making you lose money, don't come fucking messaging me about how the team I love cheat and how we don't deserve the match.
Blame the fucking referee.
So don't come messaging me and attack the team I supported all my life.
Would you like it if I did that?
What if that team wasn't Italy and it was England instead???
I believe ALOT OF YOU PEOPLE WOULD BE SAYING DIFFERENT THINGS.
Same thing here for me.
I didn't even attack England for winning the previous match after a bad performance.
England won through a bad performance.
I believed Italy played well. Its just that luck was on our side.
Its not that I can't take critics.
To me, critics and attacks are 2 different things.
End of the day, I just think that THE MAJORITY OF YOU PEOPLE just fucking hate us.
Say whatever you want.
I'm sick of saying it so many times.
Forza Italia
The last 16, and justice done
Hello world.
The group stages of the world cup are over.
Here's some of the matchups we'll see, and of course my picks to go through, but I'm no football expert, just a small time punter :D
Germany vs Sweden
Home advantage, At least a quarterfinal for Germany. So bye Sweden.
Argentina vs Mexico
Argentina is unstoppable now. lol.
England vs Ecuador
Well England will go through this one, I don't see Ecuador overcoming England.
Portugal vs Netherlands
None of them impressed me. But I'm thinking that it'll be an extratime matchup. My pick is Portugal.
Italy vs Australia
Need is I say more? Forza Italia!
Brazil vs Ghana
Might be mission impossible for Ghana.
Switzerland vs Ukraine
The Swiss look more disciplined and tactically sound. Switzerland to go through.
Spain vs France
France don't look convincing enough, but if Zidane doesn't play they might stand a chance. But chances are he'll play, so Spain to go through. (Anyone noticed that Zidane doesn't pass the ball to Henry?)
I'm an asian. I should be supporting asian teams. But this morning, I saw what was justice done.
Yup.
Switzerland vs Korea
Korea were crying foul over the 2nd goal by the Swiss and complaining about the referee's decision.
In singaporean terms, Kelong.
Now they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Just that it came 4 years later.
How can they scream "Kelong!" when they themselves were on the favourable side of the referees 4 years ago.
They were a rough team then.
They played legs instead of the ball.
Yes their determination is commendable.
But they were obviously the favourites of the referees.
Look at Spain and Italy 4 years ago.
Victims.
A kick on Maldini's face which left blood gushing out.
A legit goal by Spain disallowed.
All by the referee's favour.
So don't cry foul you koreans. You're just getting a taste of your own medicine.
Alot of people are saying Argentina will win the World Cup this year. Not that I disagree, but I have my doubts.
True, Argentina are by far the most impressive team in the tournament so far. Excellent teamwork, creative strike force, stable defense.
Yet I don't believe they'll actually win it this year.
NO south american country has ever won the World Cup on european soil. Vice versa.
You might not believe it but its the truth.
Ok except for Brazil in 1958.
But based on the fact Brazil did actually won it before you people might not fully agree with me and think history is some bullshit.
History does play a part.
You think the europeans gonna let a south american country win on european soil?
Come on, caucasians have ego man.
To them, it'll be a humiliation.
Well, its just my views, so don't flame me for the comments.
Lets just watch. :)
My pick for winner?
Of course its Italy.
But not forgetting Spain & Germany will be there in the final 4.
But of course Germany has to win Argentina to actually reach the semis so, we shall see. :)
Was at Zouk last saturday for Above & Beyond's gig. The music was great, the vibe, the drinks and especially, Tom was there.
He has come back for holidays which might probably last a month. Well...
Anyway, I didn't fully enjoy myself that night, probably because I lost money on the Czech-Ghana match that night and seeing Italy draw 1-1 with the damn americans made my mood go down. LOL.
Then again, the music was great but I didn't stay throughout, and left the place at around 4:30am.
Anyway, I've finally planned my time-table for school already. Its not that great actually, because most of the morning classes have been taken up because of "Kiasuism" lol.
I was late to plan actually haha so never mind that.
Its time to find job for now.
Anyone has options for me????????
boredom leads to ?
Monkeys are intelligent and agile, well-adapted for jungle life as they swing happily from tree to tree. As a monkey, you are a social animal who eats a wide range of food, is quick to learn new things and loves to climb. A monkey's tiny primate features are irresistable, as is his gregarious personality!
You were almost a: Parakeet or a
DuckYou are least like a: Groundhog or a
BunnyDiscover What Cute Animal You Are!I'm a fuckin monkey!
Current track: Gabriel & Dresden - Sydney
Great start!!!
Italy 2 - 0 Ghana
Pirlo 40, Iaquinta 83
To all those who said Ghana could win us, especially those from the Newpaper team,
thanks for taking the pressure of us.
I know you hate us, but you did a great job by writing us off.
FORZA ITALIA
Italy all the way!
Read something really funny a few days back.
You know the book Starhub sends you every month with all the timings of each channel inside?
Yes I still have it.
There was a feature on the World Cup this month in the book and introducing every team playing in the tournament.
There was also a segment where they asked some celebrities about which group match were they looking forward to most.
And here's Denise Keller's
"The group match I'm looking forward to is Italy vs USA.
The USA team is so strong and the Italians get so emotional on the field!!!"
What the fuck did it meant?
Italy is weaker compared to the USA?
Did she meant basketball? or baseball?
It just means that she doesn't watch football at all for saying this kind of things. Or rather, soccer to her. Cause to her football might be played with the hand for all you know.
Come on. Get real.
I'm a little annoyed and amused by this comment.
Nevertheless, it still provided me some amusement.
At this point of time, the Czechs have won USA 3-0.
Next up, Italy vs Ghana
Forza Azzurri!!!!
Its all about the football craze now.
こんにちは世界.
Didn't really blog much recently since last week, I was working at the PC show @ Suntec City from last thursday to sunday.
Well, sales wasn't that good. The booth in which I was working at was a little out of the way compared to the rival company's booth which was just beside the main walkway when u come through the door.
The product I was selling didn't come cheap either, It could be said as the branded among laptops.
Fujitsu.
Yup. Made in Japan, cheapest dual-core laptop goes for at least $3088.
I'll spare the details.
The World Cup is gonna start in a few hours.
Once every 4 years, doesn't it get you excited? Hahaha.
The first match is Germany vs Costa Rica, followed by Poland vs Ecuador.
Your predictions?
Here's mine...
Germany 2 - 1 Costa Rica (Germany has a leaky defence but I'm pretty sure they won't settle for a draw. Home pressure and advantage?)
Poland 1 - 1 Ecuador (Poland were in the same group as England during qualifying and they did a pretty good job against England. Whereas Ecuador finished 3rd in qualifying behind Brazil and Argentina. A draw seems to be a likely result.)
I'm no football expert, just a football fan. But these are just my 2 cents worth, follow at your own risk. Hahaha.
Italy's match will be on Tuesday morning.
I'll be gunning for them as usual.
Forza Italia!
