World Cup

[Beezerk]

1 game and 1 massive ref blunder already
Enjoyed the game mind, good start to the tournament from a footy point of view. Better than the usual bore draws we get in the early stages of the comp.
3 games later, need beer etc to see the night through :cheers:

 

[Papas1982]

1 game and 1 massive ref blunder already
Enjoyed the game mind, good start to the tournament from a footy point of view. Better than the usual bore draws we get in the early stages of the comp.
3 games later, need beer etc to see the night through :cheers:

I though the game was too big for the ref, surely the game is more high profile / pressure in South America and Europe? I'd of had a ref from either of those continents. May sound harsh, but maybe let the other refs get a lower game under their belt. Then once pressure is off they may be able to get later stage games. I reckon he won't have another game this wc.

 

[virtuocity]

I though the game was too big for the ref, surely the game is more high profile / pressure in South America and Europe? I'd of had a ref from either of those continents. May sound harsh, but maybe let the other refs get a lower game under their belt. Then once pressure is off they may be able to get later stage games. I reckon he won't have another game this wc.

There should be no referees participating in the World Cup if any of the games played at the tournament are 'too big' for them.

The game was a complete shambles and from the outset it was obvious that the Ref was going to give Brazil everything that was going. Brazil showing how ordinary they are by diving all over the place. If they don't improve their defensive display (and get rid of The Hulk) then they will be shown up.

The "we'll score more goals than you" routine no longer works in the World Cup.

 

[Crazyface]

Shocking start. The favs resort to cheating to beat the opposition. I hope that Roy was watching and will tell our lads to do the same AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. I also hope that we then go on to win the thing using these tactics, throwing ourselves on the floor when a slight breeze touches us. This for me would be poetic justice, as these foreign players that have infiltrated our game will have taught us how to do this. Oh how I would laugh. Remember Michael Owens "dive" v Argentina. More of that please England.

 

[Papas1982]

There should be no referees participating in the World Cup if any of the games played at the tournament are 'too big' for them.

The game was a complete shambles and from the outset it was obvious that the Ref was going to give Brazil everything that was going. Brazil showing how ordinary they are by diving all over the place. If they don't improve their defensive display (and get rid of The Hulk) then they will be shown up.

The "we'll score more goals than you" routine no longer works in the World Cup.

Personally I think it's right that refs from all over the world represent their countries at the WC. Unfortunately some just aren't used to the stage, doesn't mean they're not good enough. Just FIFA should show some common sense and start them in lowers profile games IMO.


As to the diving and cheating, will see plenty more of that from most sides. England have their own that do it now too. No longer is it a foreign thing.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Brazil are gonna have to play better than that, or get the same help from the ref, if they are going to win. The Penalty decision was a joke and Neymar was lucky to still be on the pitch when he scored. The Croats (or is it Croations?)@ will no doubt get into trouble for their comments about the ref but they were justified in my opinion. If you haven't seen the comments...

"It's a scandal - this referee should not be at this World Cup," said Lovren.

The Southampton player added: "I don't know for what he deserved to be here. It's really disappointing for us because we were playing a good game against a big team. "Two billion people I think saw that it was not a penalty. I didn't touch him."

"We're really disappointed but what can you do against 12 players? You can't do anything. I'm sad, that's it, because we played a good match and the referee - it wasn't a mistake, it was a scandal."

Fellow Croatia defender Vedran Corluka thought that the decision was "embarrassing".

"It was the first game of the World Cup. Brazil played well, but they didn't deserve to win in this way," said the former Manchester City and Tottenham player.

"It's ridiculous he was so keen to give the decision - it was difficult to accept it."

Croatia coach Niko Kovac stated that Croatia should "give up and go home".

"We talk about respect, that wasn't respect, Croatia didn't get any. If that's a penalty, we don't need to play football anymore. Let's play basketball instead. It's a shame," said the 42-year-old.

"If you continue like this you will have 100 penalties. I think 2.5 billion people watching on TV saw this was not a penalty.

 

[Fyldewhite]

"Player cons Ref at World Cup match"..........it's hardly "Man bites dog" is it?

Unfortunately it has become part of the game. It could be argued that the Croatia defender did clearly pull him on the shoulder. Only very lightly and the attacker made a meal of it but he still did it and had no need to and he gave the ref a decision to make if you like. OK, the ref obviously got it wrong with the benefit of replays etc but he did so because of what he saw in real time and the fact remains that if the defender hadn't done that the penalty wouldn't have been given.

It's not right, it's not good to watch but defenders have to be cleaner than clean in the box or the modern striker will take full advantage. Pointless moaning about it and there is a subtle difference between what happened last night and "simulation".....oh, and we are just as bad as any other team when it comes to this issue.

 

[Beezerk]

The game was a complete shambles and from the outset it was obvious that the Ref was going to give Brazil everything that was going. Brazil showing how ordinary they are by diving all over the place. If they don't improve their defensive display (and get rid of The Hulk) then they will be shown up.

Agreed about Hulk, he's a shocking player not quite sure how he gets a game.

 

[Wayman]

Missed first 20mins of match as kept falling asleep!!!
Ref made couple bad decisions but that's football bet it's a hard job for a ref blink of a eye and could miss something
Football needs a video ref like rugby!

Missing England game Saturday ain't that bothered tho

 

[chrisd]

I thought it was a more entertaining game than a lot of the bore draws we get in the opening matches usually.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Terrible refereeing decision. Good to see Blatter's envelope stuffed full of used notes got to him though (allegedly of course) to ensure a home win

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Saw the highlights this morning and I think I'm confident in saying there won't be a home victory in the World Cup. Brazil have holes all over the team.

The referee was shocking - biggest stage in the game and officiating was poor - Neymar should have seen red for his blatent forearm into Croats face and that penalty was just shocking

The World Cup is going to be headline making and exciting - basically because refs are going be making monumental mistakes that cost teams the game

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Saw the highlights this morning and I think I'm confident in saying there won't be a home victory in the World Cup. Brazil have holes all over the team.

The referee was shocking - biggest stage in the game and officiating was poor - Neymar should have seen red for his blatent forearm into Croats face and that penalty was just shocking

The World Cup is going to be headline making and exciting - basically because refs are going be making monumental mistakes that cost teams the game

Certainly seems an odd choice of referee for the opening game.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Certainly seems an odd choice of referee for the opening game.

Prob the cheapest for FIFA

 

[Pathetic Shark]

I've just stocked my fridge with beers for the World Cup, customised for each match. I've got San Miguel for when Spain are playing because it's Spanish, Becks for when Germany are playing because it's German and Carling for when England are playing because it's ****.

I've just seen photos of the Pitch for the England v Italy game tomorrow. The last time I saw a pitch in that condition was England v Germany. Christmas Day 1914.

I can't believe Brazil named a beach after a Barry Manilow song.

 

[Beezerk]

Jesus, what are the officials playing at? Shockers again and it's only half an hour into the game.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Re the pitch at Manaus, gather they have been painting it green, same thing happened at the British Masters at Collingtree Park in the 90's, greens were so bad

Surprised as the heat and humidity out there should be ideal grass growing conditions

 

[c1973]

Some shocking decisions in the Mexico game here. If they don't get all 3 points here then they've been robbed.

 

[Papas1982]

Re the pitch at Manaus, gather they have been painting it green, same thing happened at the British Masters at Collingtree Park in the 90's, greens were so bad

Surprised as the heat and humidity out there should be ideal grass growing conditions

bearing in mind it's take them best part if 6 years to not fully complete the stadium build, I'm surprised there's grass on the pitch!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Re the pitch at Manaus, gather they have been painting it green, same thing happened at the British Masters at Collingtree Park in the 90's, greens were so bad

Surprised as the heat and humidity out there should be ideal grass growing conditions

The STRI have said it is perfectly playable and looks worse than it is - we shall see