World cup matches

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humanbeingincroydon said:
It has been the way that every World Cup sees one West African team derailed either by infighting and egos (Cameroon in 1998, Nigeria in 2002) or squabbling about bonuses (Togo in 2006, Cameroon and Ghana in 2014)

I wouldn't be surprised if the habit of parachuting in some journeyman European coach once the team had qualified had something to do with it myself, as the players can adopt the attitude of "We qualified without you, who are you to tell us how to play?"
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Nigeria had a Nigerian manager in 2002, Ghana have a Ghanian manager this year. Whether they have a native (or European) manager doesn't really come into it, although these countries should be looking more at developing native managers (coaches) as its more healthy in the long run to have a native in charge, yet they also need to prove they are capable.
 
African countries are very poor and under-developed compared to European ones and it is inevitable they are going to lack the resources and organisational skills to deal properly with a bunch of prima donna millionaires.
 
PowerSpurs said:
African countries are very poor and under-developed compared to European ones and it is inevitable they are going to lack the resources and organisational skills to deal properly with a bunch of prima donna millionaires.
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Just as an example, Tesco's turnover is about the same as the combined GDP of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana
 
Portugal v Ghana (17:00 BST)
Posted at
BBC World Service reporter John Bennett in Brasilia:
"I'm not so sure that the Ghana players will be feeling too depressed going into this game, despite Boateng and Muntari being sent home.
"This morning, Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah sent me a video of the players signing and dancing before the Portugal game.
"For the most part, the Black Stars have excellent team spirit, despite Boateng and Muntari's indiscretions.
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Great team spirit...... (although the arrival of their money may have been why they where dancing)!
 
PleaseNotPoll said:
I'm not sure how much of it is down to the players and how much is down to their respective Football Associations.
The security is often dubious, money goes missing, team selections are sketchy and then there's the match-fixing rumours in some cases, too.
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...yeah, but apart from all that.....:biggrin:
 
Germany are camping on the USA box.
But the USA are breaking out to the other end when they get possession.
 
I forgot to say I'll be reassured that everything is on the level if the US fail to qualify. There ends up being a lot of money down the road if the US stays in the tournament. The last game caught the US interest like nothing football-related ever. 23,000,000 viewers beat the NBA and NHL finals. It's been a perfect story so far from the US fans POV.

"30 mins: So at the end of the first third, it's 0-0 in Recife and 0-0 here. The referee ensures it stays that way by putting himself in the way of Ghana's attack." (The Guardian)

Within a minute of a ref blocking Beckerman's run in the other game. For you fans of synchronicity.

Portugal 1-0. Good news for the US.

Nonexistent first touch from Beckermann--a clean whiff, as they say in baseball--costs him a chance to be in alone on goal.

The pattern is two or three decent touches followed by a clunker from the US. About what you'd expect from their talent levels.

"Jones is trying to show Germany what they're missing."

Which is a decent athlete with a very wonky first touch. The closest he'd get to the German team is a seat in the first row of the stands.

On cue, Jones chins himself with his next touch, a pass right at his feet. The crowd laughs as his jaw jerks skyward from the impact.
 
Germany have been poor with the final cross.
Not that I am too unhappy (stays a draw and Portugal are out) .
 
Jones has taken over the Bradley give-the-ball-up-at-every-touch role. Bradley, TBF, has been the best American so far.

The US is praying to get to half time scoreless. They don't really deserve to, but their last ditch tackling has been good.

Bradley misses a good chance to shoot by failing to control an easy pass. So much for best player so far.

"No sense of a contrived draw."

No, strictly speaking, but no one's busting a gut out there, either. Call it a semi-uncontrived draw so far.
 
"It's too quiet. There has to be some drama with the US team."

That is accurate. And Germany bring on Klose. Chances of him scoring are at least 50 50, I think.

Gonzales with an excellent clearing header to deny Klose.

But Germany with many more easy passes knocked out of bounds than you would expect.
 
Germany with a deserved goal. How many will they score now? Cue drama.

Ghana 1-1 US.

"That's good news for the US."

No it most certainly isn't. I'd take my chances every time on Portugal making up GD rather than Ghana winning by one and Germany winning by two. The US in danger for the first time. They can't have two goals go the wrong way at this point, and they very well might.
 
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