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[a pack of wolves]

He did not have very long to react and his arm is in a natural position for someone trying to pivot his body to face a ball, so it shouldn't have been taken as being deliberate.

But his arm does move towards the ball and he can see it coming. His arm is in a natural position but an unnatural one would have let the ball in, and the fact that he was trying to get his chest in the way isn't much of a defence either because why wouldn't he be doing that. Basically, if he had meant to do it (which I seriously doubt, he's surely not that stupid) his arm would have moved in exactly the same way. Referees have to be a bit flexible and in that situation you've got to assume intent unless there's something to indicate otherwise, such as the ball coming from where he can't see or it bouncing up without any time for him to react. The onus is really on the defender to keep his arm out of the way since it wasn't just an opportunity, the ball would have been in the net if not for his arm.

I'm with you on that tackle, it was dangerous and given the precedent this tournament he should have been sent off. I don't think the refereeing has been that bad at all this tournament though, aside from a couple of notable instances such as that USA goal being disallowed. Unfortunately you're always going to get a few of those given the number of games played and how easy it is for a ref to make a mistake.

[amok]

Paraguay beat Slovakia in a fairly dull game to all-but knock them out. Goals were sweetly taken but about the only other noteworthy action was the ref booking the wrong Slovak player.. looks like being a slow day for goals today.

lol nevermind. Go NZ!

[Aurjay]

France is in complete disarray. Team refusing to practice and trainers are quitting. Domenech has absolutely ruined that team.

[Dimmukane]

I don't think the refereeing has been that bad at all this tournament though, aside from a couple of notable instances such as that USA goal being disallowed.

Thankfully, it appears that asshat is probably not going to be refereeing for the remainder of the cup.

[Aurjay]

Amazing game between Italy and New Zealand. Just imagine if NZ hadn't given away a penalty kick. NZ's GK also was amazing. Multiple saves in the final minutes to confirm the draw.

[Inlander]

There's a lot of bullshit that comes out of Europe about how there are too many teams in the World Cup, about how there should only be 16 instead of 32, about how the small countries don't deserve to be in the same competition.

Fuck that. New Zealand 1-1 Italy. THIS is why the World Cup should have 32 teams from all corners of the planet in it.

[the_pied_piper]

Talk about tactics

See, the error in playing him on the wing is what I mentioned but I also said that Barry usurped his position because Barry really shouldn't be playing in the centre of the England midfield if they want a chance at winning the World Cup. Xabi Alonso was perfect for Gerrard because there was a great bond between them; Gerrard knew that Alonso could hold that defensive position behind him because of how good a player Alonso was/is. Carrick could probably do a better job than Barry but there is no real defensive midfielder in the England squad worth a damn so the 4-5-1 formation is not really going to happen (counting Carrick as a central midfielder rather than a defensive one).

I guess it comes down to the Gerrard/Lampard debate again in which I would pick Gerrard over Lampard every single time because Gerrard is able to play effective football over much more of the pitch than Lampard. Sure, Lampard scores more goals but only when the players around him are able to provide him with enough chances.

As for Kewell, handling on the line is going to get you a red card regardless (unless of course you are the GK) no matter what your intentions were for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

[amok]

Definitely agree Gerrard should start over Lampard. It's about making the system work and there aren't too many permutations of the players available to Capello where they can all shine, so in order to bring the best out of England's attacking options, which is what they need for the 3rd game, I personally think the best way to set the team up would be as much like Liverpool 08/09 as possible, to get the best out of Gerrard and the striker. Especially since Rooney has vastly improved since he starting playing regularly as a lone striker. Cole (J.) on the left, Lennon right, Gerrard tucked behind Rooney and a back-of-midfield pairing of Barry (in the Mascherano role) and Carrick as a makeshift Alonso. Can't honestly think of any other way to solve the left-wing problem.

Absolutely no Lampard or Heskey mind.

[Thomas Edison]

Brazil vs Ivory Coast

what the fuck is up with these last 5 minutes.

[Dimmukane]

Ya, honestly that was downright pathetic sportsmanship from pretty much everybody (except maybe Drogba).

[amok]

tragedy in south africa today as a guy coincidentally brushes into Kaka's elbow at the exact same second he gets shot full in the fucking face by the Soccer City Sniper

[KharBevNor]

Dammit Terry you know how much I hate agreeing with a member of the Socialist Workers Party!

[David_Dovey]

This would be the same Terry Eagleton who stands in opposition to the likes of Dawkins, Hitchens and Dennett in righteous defense of faith? Yeah somehow I'm not buying his argument about the new people's opium while he seems positively cuntstruck by the old one.

[StaedlerMars]

The last 10-15 minutes of that Brazil - Ivory Coast match were ridiculous.

Ivory Coast played terribly.

Edit: well, that was disappointing.

[E. Spaceman]

That was painful to watch, not the least because i live with several south koreans who suddenly appeared to be channeling jackals

[Darke]

Man I am seriously worried about those North Korean players right now.

[E. Spaceman]

I also live with several chileans, in the 10 mins the game has been going, i have heard


Ref: "fuckin fag"
"fuckin kebab maker"

Player: "fuckin chocolatier"
"fuckin clockmaker"

[a pack of wolves]

Terry Eagleton wrote a hilarious little piece about football in The Guardian.

"Nobody serious about political change can shirk the fact that the game has to be abolished."

well done, terry.

Yeah, we need to abolish music, theatre, cinema and literature as well. They're just distractions, can't have people ever enjoying themselves. Being politically radical has to be a dour, joyless business dedicated to a world without fun.

Or on the other hand we could listen to Emma Goldman instead. Hmm, tough choice that.

The referee in the Chile - Switzerland game was brutal, some great calls like booking Valdivia for diving but with some of them it was hard to work out what the card had even been given for. It ended up a scrappy but compelling affair, Chile kept pushing and deservedly got a goal but they could have done better and may have needed to. If both Spain and Switzerland can beat Honduras the places for progression could end up being decided by goal difference if Spain beat them, and their slender victories might not be enough.

[amok]

I think Chile's gung-ho football will play into Spain's hands so as long as they beat Honduras (ESP that is) they'll be fine.

edit;

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 22-Jesus Navas, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 16-Sergio Busquets; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-David Villa.

Spain is starting with two strikers and a somewhat baffling midfield for the Honduras match (Xavi on the other wing opposite Navas presumably?) as opposed to their usual 4-5-1; nice to see a stronger team adapting their strategy to an underdog rather than playing a habitual conservative formation and crying when they draw. Hope it pays off for them.

[negative creep]

It did, apparently.

[amok]

Yeah I called the formation wrong, they did essentially play 4-5-1 with Villa pushed right up the left flank and welp, it seemed to work out quite well for him..

The Chile game will hopefully be a massacre, 4-2 ESP I reckon.

[Inlander]

So Group A's going nuts tonight. Everybody was talking about Mexico and Uruguay playing for a draw to ensure they both go through, but at half-time they're both going balls-out for a win. Mexico had the better of the first half, probably, but Uruguay got the goal and at half-time it's 1-0. Meanwhile . . . in the other game South Africa are leading France 2-0! France, of course, are basically a bunch of empty shells after everything that's been going on in this camp, but if South Africa keep hammering them and Uruguay beat Mexico then South Africa and Uruguay will be going through to the second round and Mexico will miss out. (France will miss out too but who cares about them, they're shit and they deserve to walk home.) Mexico have been my favourite team of the tournament so far, partly because they've been great to watch and party for sentimental reasons, but it'd be great for South Africa to go through, too - after all, they're the host and they were just as good as Mexico in the opening game. Damn you, World Cup! Don't make me choose between the two of them!

[Inlander]

Well, France scored a goal to make it 2-1, which means Uruguay and Mexico go through to the next round. Mexico vs. Argentina in the next round should be a cracker, though frankly I don't give Mexico much of a chance.

[Darke]

Such a shame that South Africa didn't manage to write that fantastic story that the first half promised, but hey at least France came bottom of a seriously weak group. And of course to top off a truly pathetic campagin, Domenech refused to shake hands with the South Africa manager. Au revoir, you prick.

[valley_parade]

Well, France scored a goal to make it 2-1, which means Uruguay and Mexico go through to the next round. Mexico vs. Argentina in the next round should be a cracker, though frankly I don't give Mexico much of a chance.

Sleeper pick for best game of the second round: Uruguay v South Korea.

[Aurjay]

Poor Nigeria. How do you miss a shot from 3yds out. I agree with the commentator in that its got to be harder to miss than to make it when your that close. Well at least they got a penalty kick right after that.

[amok]

feed the yak and he will score eat

Well that was a fairly exciting way for the group to finish exactly the way everyone knew it would, I guess.

Tomorrow England should win by lining up: Johnson, Upson, Terry, Cole, A.; Lennon, Carrick, Barry, Cole, J.; Gerrard; Rooney. This would probably clinch a 2-1 against Plucky Little Slovenia.

Actual predictions:

England (in a bore 4-4-2 with Heskey) 1 - 1 Slovenia
USA 2 - 0 Algeria
Australia* 1 - 1 Serbia
Ghana 2 - 2 Germany

USA to win the group on Goal Difference and face Ghana in the round of 16. Plucky Little Slovenia to book their plane tickets as soon as they realise they face Germany in said round. The Sun to explode when England do not progress (that's the shit tabloid not the literal Sun obv.)

*unless they get a comedy red card early doors

[Yayniall]

feed the yak and he will score eat

Funnily enough it was Shaun Goater day yesterday.

[Inlander]

Am I right in understanding that somebody finally scored from a free-kick in the Nigeria-South Korea game? Sheesh, it's only taken 36 games to get there!

[KharBevNor]

Yeah, we need to abolish music, theatre, cinema and literature as well. They're just distractions, can't have people ever enjoying themselves. Being politically radical has to be a dour, joyless business dedicated to a world without fun.

I don't think you can say 'people enjoy it' is a real valid argument to shield professional football from all possible criticism. The fact that you can't reallly criticise football or hold it to any sort of moral standard without being shouted down because football is fun is probably one of the reasons football is such a gruesome fucking mess. It's certainly the reason no one really gives a shit about the resettlement camps and shit in South Africa. Yeah it's bad but FOOTBALL NA NA NA NA NA NA. I really can't believe you don't have some thoughts about the incredibly capitalistic nature of football, and the ghastly nationalist aspect of the world cup. Seriously. I know I don't enjoy the game but I think you should at least be able to see where I'm coming from. Wayne Rooney earns more money every week than a teacher, nurse or university lecturer does every year. Do you think a society in which this is the case is in any way healthy?

As for whoever it was who compared my critique about the World Cup being totalitarian to a rock concert, yeah, that is very clever! Because, say, if there is a Rolling Stones concert then everyone in the country puts out Rolling Stones flags, gets shouting angry at people who do not like the Rolling Stones, they have lessons about the Rolling Stones in school, every other advert on television references the Rolling Stones, chocolate bars are renamed after the Rolling Stones, there are adverts reminding you how awesome the Rolling Stones are on fucking cash machines, etc.

[look out! Ninjas!]

As for whoever it was who compared my critique about the World Cup being totalitarian to a rock concert,

I think they did that because nobody is taking you very seriously any more.

[KharBevNor]

Oh hi there.

[KharBevNor]

Wait, who the fuck are you?

[Patrick]

Hey Khar

The world's problems started before soccer was ever invented

Now can I just talk about the fucking game like the thread was pretty clearly intended?

[KharBevNor]

Thanks for making my point pretty well there Patrick!

[Thomas Edison]

I don't think you can say 'people enjoy it' is a real valid argument to shield professional football from all possible criticism. The fact that you can't reallly criticise football or hold it to any sort of moral standard without being shouted down because football is fun is probably one of the reasons football is such a gruesome fucking mess. It's certainly the reason no one really gives a shit about the resettlement camps and shit in South Africa. Yeah it's bad but FOOTBALL NA NA NA NA NA NA.

Humans are dicks. The South African government may be dicking on their population right now because of the football, but I'm pretty certain they were being dicks before the World Cup arrived, and I'm pretty certain they'll continue to be dicks afterwards.

Yes, football is big piece of shit when it comes to the stupid wages the players make and such, but you can't use it as a scapegoat for the problems that were pre-existing in South Africa. The fault lies with the government, not the sport, which is why most people aren't giving a shit.

[Eris]

I believe the "people are dicks" argument has been made already. I know I said something like that to him and I was called a retarded piece of dogshit for my efforts.

[Thomas Edison]

Governments all across the world are being absolute tossers to their people, but right now we should feel worse for the South Africans because there is football there and Khar doesn't like football.

Honestly, do you think if we abolish sport completely the world will suddenly become a magical land of rainbows and bunnies where everyone is happy and free?

If you're watching the world cup you're a fucking corporate tool who's supporting the direct and indirect oppression of thousands or millions of people so you can watch a load of fucking millionaires kick around a fucking ball. Fuck you.

I also find this last bit of your blog to be ridiculous. I could complain about how your smoking supports the tobacco industry which routinely fucks the third world, but I won't because I know you wouldn't give a damn because you enjoy smoking. Stop getting all high and mighty about the oppression in South Africa just because you hate football.

[Aurjay]

So nervous right now for the US. I know we should win this match but who knows in this WC.

[amok]

Hey Khar

The world's problems started before soccer was ever invented

Now can I just talk about the fucking game like the thread was pretty clearly intended?

Actually the split between Rugby and Association Football caused the Holocaust, and FIFA is the only corporation in the entire world which exploits poor countries.

So nervous right now for the US. I know we should win this match but who knows in this WC.

Not looking good..

Pretty embarrassing watching England play League 2 keep-ball against Slovenia but whatever works.

[Thomas Edison]

Oh hey there America, finally.

[amok]

Man those Slovenians must be so bummed, that whole game they were like 'we're losing but it's all good' then denied at the last.

Good to see the US progress though 'cos in fairness they have been the most entertaining team in the group and should've beaten Slovenia 3-2 anyway.

[StaedlerMars]

And they should have won that match 2-0, refs don't seem to like the US scoring goals.

England should really not have gone through, and the problem is that now they'll continue winning.

Tossers.

[WestEnder67]

And they should have won that match 2-0, refs don't seem to like the US scoring goals.

England should really not have gone through, and the problem is that now they'll continue winning.

Tossers.

England are nowhere near as good as the press makes them out to be.

Plus they're probably gonna play Germany, so I guess that'll be it for them.

[amok]

Lucas Podolski missed a penalty in that one game recently.. there is still hope !!

Group D is tight as fuck anyway, could get anyone out of Gha/Ser/Ger. A week ago winning Group C was obligatory to avoid the mighty Germans, then a ref fucked them and suddenly finishing 2nd might not be so bad.

[Aurjay]

of course we had to wait till the last possible moment to score but at least we did and are advancing. Im predicting Germany beating Ghana and Serbia beating Australia so that should have us playing Serbia in the next round with England playing Germany. Not too bad of a schedule.

[Thomas Edison]

I predict Ghana beating Germany and Australia beating Serbia 9-0.

[a pack of wolves]

I don't think you can say 'people enjoy it' is a real valid argument to shield professional football from all possible criticism. The fact that you can't reallly criticise football or hold it to any sort of moral standard without being shouted down because football is fun is probably one of the reasons football is such a gruesome fucking mess. It's certainly the reason no one really gives a shit about the resettlement camps and shit in South Africa. Yeah it's bad but FOOTBALL NA NA NA NA NA NA. I really can't believe you don't have some thoughts about the incredibly capitalistic nature of football, and the ghastly nationalist aspect of the world cup. Seriously. I know I don't enjoy the game but I think you should at least be able to see where I'm coming from. Wayne Rooney earns more money every week than a teacher, nurse or university lecturer does every year. Do you think a society in which this is the case is in any way healthy?

But his argument wasn't to restructure football so that clubs are non-profit organisations, or at least must be majority-owned by supporters' trusts. He was arguing that it should be abolished because it provides a distraction from the horrors of capitalism. Which isn't true, anyway. In mainstream society football supporters are one of the groups most keenly aware of the havoc that private owners can wreak upon something you care about. Others have shown how much better clubs can be when taken away from private enterprise, such as AFC Wimbledon and FC United Of Manchester (who have remaining non-profit and resisting commercialisation written into their constitution).

I've heard the exact same argument made by others who were arguing that music etc were terrible for the working class because it takes people's minds away from what capitalism is doing and makes them feel better. His argument is just as nonsensical as someone saying we should get rid of DIY music because major labels are terrible things. It stems from the elitist statist notion that the working class are sheep that need a strong party to come down and show them the divine light, the intellectual elite will lead us to the promised land and we should shut up and do as we're told, but in order for that to happen life must be barren so that there is nothing to mask the workings of capital. The exact same thing that Emma Goldman called bullshit on when she was told it wasn't seemly for a revolutionary to dance. I think you can see why I have utter contempt for his position.

[KharBevNor]

Governments all across the world are being absolute tossers to their people, but right now we should feel worse for the South Africans because there is football there and Khar doesn't like football.

I'm only being on topic. Jesus.

[StaedlerMars]

Yay for Australia!