Well the introduction of goal line technology and the magic marker 'white line' has still left plenty of room for controversy. Thought the ref was wrong on both the penalty and the foul on Caesar, who didn't look very comfy overall. On the penalty here's a clip of Neymar's run-up (Neymar, who was lucky to be on the pitch to take it after straight arming Modric): [video]https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/89E32E2AEF1083140970079461376_14012151127576180d34 .8426.mp4?versionId=bajddst.o0sMSfSFJd5V_1_5t4VDMM wO[/video] PS Did I hear the ITV commentator correctly when he said the 'white line' to mark out 10 yards from the ball at a free kick was to be used in the Championship next season?
I think the white line is a great idea. Simple and effective. The referee bottled it under the pressure of the Brazil crowd and had a very poor game all round. Croatia were impressive and the scoreline was harsh on them. Their midfield was much better than the Brazilians but they missed Manzukic up front. There's some very exciting games on today, most notably the rematch of the final in 2010.
Three thoughts on Croatia: 1. It was good of the manager to pick someone (the number 7, I think) who looked like Luka Modric now that Luka Modric has had a radical haircut and doesn't look like Luka Modric anymore. 2. It was brave of Luka Modric to have a racical haircut after seeing what happened to Fernando Torres when he did something similar. 3. All Croatian players look hard, even the little ones.
I basically agree with the prior comments, particularly that the score line didn't do Croatia justice. But I thought the ref got most of the decisions right and basically let the players play. In the second half there were a number of clashes in the midfield that left Croatian or Brazilian players rolling on the ground, faking injuries, but the ref rightly ignored that crap and let the game continue in most cases. And I hope that's the trend at this WC - the more the refs are involved, the worse the game usually is. The USA scrimmage versus Belgium was cancelled because Brazil's transit workers are all on strike. That plus all the riots and clashes with police leaves me wondering if the (justifiable) unrest in Brazil will increase as the tournament goes on, leading to massive problems for fans and teams. My prediction: about two weeks after the WC is over, Brazil will invade the Ukraine under the pretext of protecting its citizens.
Gearing up for tonight's clash at Casa Fulhaman. Tapas being prepared, Estrellla chilling in the fridge and even the weather is co-operating for a BBQ. Happy days. As long as La Furia Roja win tonight, of course. And carry on to be Los Campeones del Mundo, naturally. An England / Spain final might cause me some trouble, though, to be honest.
This is quite good. http://mentalfloss.com/article/54205/nicknames-all-32-world-cup-2014-teams The nicknames of all the teams in the final explained. Distinct lack of imagination shown by Germany, Switzerland, Iran and Russia.
The problem is he got the major decisions wrong which decided the game. Brazil's penalty clearly wasn't a penalty and Croatia's disallowed goal should have stood. Neymar was also very lucky to still be on the pitch after the arm to the face of the opponent. I've seen people walk for far less.
Two more bad decisions, this time in the Mexico game - [video]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/A20CB260B41089268104275591168_2a343d1abc3.0.4.1185 5566503812483056.mp4?versionId=62D5bPgFTkmknW4Xnh2 uQ1ZSXPJMFVNY[/video] [video]https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/EAC0A9033A1089272857906860032_2d1d1964883.0.4.1085 7880191554479175.mp4?versionId=HHrt21Gqjlpl5QTSBUR Ev62i_fQXOn0Y[/video] Fortunately, in this case neither affected the outcome.
Know it's unfair to keep bashing the ref instead of commenting on some decent football, but that was a soft penalty for Spain. please log in to view this image
The world champions getting schooled by the Dutch. Revenge is a dish best served at incredibly high temperatures with high humidity. Crazy stuff this.
Morning all, What a game last night. Holland were spectacular, their counter attacking rocking the living day lights out of Spain, who looked uncharacteristically poor. Chile showed some lovely attacking football against the Aussies. Overall there has already been some great football played and some standout performances; Luka Modric, Neymar and Oscar Giovanni Dos Santos Robbin, Van Persie, Blind Alexia Sanchez, Valdiva The overriding thing for me has been that pace and fast flowing football has been the winner. England need to take note, we must play a fast tempo, quick passing and movement, not easy in the heat of Manaus.
Lots of Fulham mentions so far tonight. And well done Bryan Ruiz and the Costas. Don’t think think the other Kostas added much to his value in the 17 minutes on show however. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpx_qp7IAAAQN97.jpg PS Was mildly amazed to see Forlan still doing his bit, although won’t lose any sleep over the result, or the red card.
so what did you all make of to nights performances, for me Joe Hart does not seem confident. the 2 full backs were poor, which put a lot of pressure on the mid field, but that's only my opinion But lets see what we can do in our next match which is a must win.
Disappointed to not get something from the game last night, I thought our performance was very hood and deserved more. The youngsters that came in and did really well, particularly Sterling. A few issues that arose: Rooney will get torn to shreds as usual today, unfairly I my opinion. We were getting very exposed on the left all of the first half, but I think this is down to Roy's tactics not individual failings. We played extremely narrow and the wingers on both sides were tucked right in. Hodgson stuck by his tactics and they worked in the whole, Italy did not cause many problems, they were just clinical. Daniel Sturridge does not attack the box enough. Sturridge is an excellent player but in order for our tactics to work more efficiently we need a striker who plays higher up the pitch and who attacks the 6 yard box. In turn this creates more space for the attacking 3 behind him. Too often he is dropping back. Shearer made comments that Rooney needed to bury his chance ( which he did ), however, made no mention of the fact that 2 crosses were drilled across the face of goal. No Italians were anywhere near them and where was our striker Sturridge, outside the 18 yard box !!!! Rooney needs to play as striker, he attacks the box, Sturridge would be better deployed running from deep. Overall a really good performance. Had we been more clinical with our chances would could have finished them off
Did not go to plan, Drop rooney to the bench as he has a mental block when it comes to big games, He may do better coming off the bench.
