Hey, at least I know how to quote properly! I know that 5-0 wasn't the final score, but the game was basically over after the initial hammering. Brazil just seemed overly ****e, to me. I know that there were some enforced changes, but a flimsy midfield, useless strikeforce and attack-minded defence isn't the best idea. I thought Maicon had retired to the green, slow fields of Italy, too.
"But the really heartening thing was what a smoking bomb crater this was for most of our rivals' star players." Again, the PL effect seems to have been laid bare. Of them, only Suarez IMHO has demonstrated this summer that he can singly lift a team with him in it above their true collective level.
When I think of match fixing I am not so much considering a punt at the bookies, but personal wagers between loaded shady individuals (like those allegedly done in Colombia in 1994 that led to Escobar being killed due to that OG) . As for Maicon, I thought he was doing ok in attack. But with a clueless MF not covering for the fact he is slow now, always dangerous. It reminded me of Corluka in the game against PAOK.
Piers Morgan showed that he's up there with the average Gooner for football knowledge, predicting that David Luiz would drive Brazil to glory and that Fred would come good! He appears to have cursed their two worst players on the night, somehow. Even had £5k bet on it for charity with Joey Barton, who expected a comfortable win for ze Germans.
Playing Maicon, Marcelo, Dante and Luiz in a back four £100M worth of talent I wouldn't take on free transfers. I smell foul play, but how was it only seven?
They'd have been better off with Fred and Wilma No doubt in this WC that being Brazilian does not mean being a good player. All very overrated, starting with Luiz.....
"As opposed to Brazil-based players like Fred and Jo" Wonder how many overseas Brasil players were dragged god knows last year playing friendlies while their club seasons were in full flow, while those at home were off on their hols.
I would have always said I despised and loathed Argentina more than the Netherlands simply because they're Argentina. "And Argentina is somewhere they haven't been for decades..." The Falklands? "Argentinos, maricones, se quitaran las Malvinas que marrones." The thing is I hate Robben more than any player alive at this point, so I guess I'm for Argentina. Besides, in a world of Ronaldos and even Gareth Bales, I really appreciate that Messi looks like he spends about ten seconds a day on his hair. ...though that is ten seconds more than Robben. Argentina has gotten the free kicks, but looked nowhere near threatening on them. The Netherlands will try to hit on the counter, but Argentina doesn't look like committing men forward to leave themselves vulnerable. So, cautious from both sides. Not a surprise after yesterday. A 1-0 loss looks a lot more palatable than it did 24 hours ago.
"Argentina doesn't look like committing men forward to leave themselves vulnerable" As they were for a fair bit of the previous game. And that was when they were 1-0 up. Will probably come down to a moment of magic or madness by someone.
Of course it will turn into a wild thriller now, but you'd expect both teams priorities are 1. Don't get mullered. 2. Once it's late enough we're unlikely to lose by more than a goal or at worst two, go for the win. Or, f**k it, let it go to pens. Pens are fine.
After last night, this is so disappointing. I want Holland to win the WC - but not playing this sh*te
Vlaar edging Mascherano as the best player so far. Says a lot. "There's the goal!" Ian Darke. Of all the mistakes you should be fired for on the spot as an announcer, wrongly announcing a goal has to be first on the list. Remember, you don't have to say anything until you've, oh, I dunno, checked to see if the offsides flag is up.
If I were the Dutch I'd take my chances on penalties. If I were Argentina I wouldn't. But the Dutch have been controlling play for the last 20 minutes or so. Messi's just made two straight horrible passes. Strange. And a third, after another couple of Argentinians have messed up chances for a break. They've looked like excellent chances, too. No surprise everyone's so tired they can't think straight, I guess. And Palacios wrongly decides to head weakly, when clear in on goal with all the time in the world and ends my chances of winning the WC prediction game....well, I didn't really want the fabulous prize that goes to the winner, anyway... Mascherano and Vlaar really have been superb.
