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Saturday, June 10, 2006
Argentine beauties
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not just their pretty faces, but the way these guys play. Especially on attack.
Riquelme, what a playmaker. Crespo and Saviola got the goals, and the Elephants, one of four African nations making their World Cup debuts, made it close with a late goal but couldn’t equalize. A number of better chances in the first half may come back to haunt them in this Group of Death.
The fellas on XM Radio (Phil Schoen, Manny Lagos) wonder why Carlos Tevez didn’t figure for Argentina, and are questioning Jose Pekerman’s subs in general. I ask where do you put him and Leonel Messi, considering the talent that starts for this team? Better yet, the Argentine defense that doesn’t get much love did a decent job on Didier Drogba.
XM’s play-by-play isn’t bad, but the real value to the service are interviews and analysis around the games. The morning call-in show is nothing special. The bummer is you can’t listen to any XM sports programming on the Internet. Gotta have the receiver at home or in the car.
I’m hesitant to lash out at ABC/ESPN/ESPN2’s coverage since this was my first day listening to the commentary, but I thought doing some of their remote pieces from Belmont Park totally absurd.
The rest of the global media is doing remotes from — outrageously enough — Germany! But the U.S. English-language rights holder? It’s talking soccer, when it’s not promoting its other programming, at a horse track! Yes, I know it’s the site of a race it’s showing later in the day. Only in America, yedy yedy. It’s just cheesy. Like Velveeta.
I was hoping there would be a bit more of an effort to convey the feel of the passion and spectacle of the World Cup, but you’ll have to tune into Univision for that.
Dave O’Brien is a solid announcer, but it’s clear he doesn’t know the game. Too bad Marcelo Balboa was so obsessed with strategy in England-Paraguay that he didn’t offer much perspective on what it’s like to play in the World Cup. John Harkes did that well teaming up with J.P. Dellacamera. Glenn Davis and Shep Messing were fine in the Argie game.
I’ll let this entry be a free-for-all heading into tomorrow’s games, kicking off with Holland-Serbia & Montenegro and Mexico-Iran. Be back with you on Sunday.
Supah Soca Warriors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 Sweden.
You read that right. Now read about a classic World Cup stunner, an unlikely narrative that comes true at least once every four years.
Even before losing Avery John to a 46th minute red card, the first-time Cuppers weren’t given much of a chance against Sweden, especially when No. 2 keeper Shaka Hislop was a late insertion in the lineup. The West Ham veteran was the man of the match. CONCACAF’s first point: Trinidad and Tobago. Go figure.
The scoreline gets soccer-bashers worked up, but is an excellent example of how enthralling scoreless draws can be. Gripping from start to finish. Great drama.
And what a treat to hear J.P. Dellacamera, a veteran soccer announcer (who also calls Atlanta Thrashers TV games) do this one with John Harkes. Best line of the game, from J.P.: “Trinidad is playing with 10 men, but it seems like 12.”
Perfect way to describe a truly inspirational performance. England could use a dose of that. The two sides will square off later this week. Guess who everybody’s sentimental favorite is now.
Boring, boring, Inger-land
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The most talented midfield in the world.
The best team Sven says he’s ever coached.
An early own-goal, then a freak goalkeeping change for Paraguay.
Should have been an England romp, right?
Yawwwwwwwwn! It was all downhill from there as England held on for a 1-0 win, but didn’t exactly inspire.
I got up early for this? Nicholas couldn’t wait to pile on, and some initial man-on-the-street interviews by the BBC World Service in London were a bit diplomatic. It was three points, after all, but if England is in anything like a really competitive group, the natives might be truly restless.
As it is, some early accounts are already preparing the sharp knives, throwing around such words as “soporific” to describe the show from Frankfurt. Even the hugely pro-England crowd was quiet a good bit of the game. Can’t blame ESPN’s subdued presentation for that one.
If the Falcons are looking for a placekicker, they might want to try some of Sven’s midfielders. Lots of powerful attempts at goal that sailed 30 feet above the crossbar. But between the posts.
Didn’t get to the pub today, wishing to sleep in. Should have kept on snoozing. I’ll head out to see Inger-land fans at their most miserable level of suffering when they get to knockout play. If?
Off the Ball’s World Cup pool picks aren’t doing her any favors, as Togo’s coach abruptly resigned in a pay dispute. This is not a new story involving coaches of African sides, which are too frequently disorganized at the federation level. But quitting as the Cup is underway? Shocking.
Will be back after the Argies meet Ivory Coast. That might be rather intriguing, with it kicking off the Group of Death.
