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DEL.ICIO.USScouting the Sweet 16
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Enough pouting about FC Yanks, with this final exception that sums up how a lot of us feel. Right on the money, something Donovan was not in the World Cup.
And kudos to Claudio Reyna, who has called it an international career but said he will continue his club career in England. Landon, are you paying attention?
The group games were terrific, for the most part, so how much better can the knockout stages be? Even better, if some of the matchups live up to their billing. Here’s a schedule of events.
The Germans start off with the Swedes feeling pretty elated by all that Klinsi has done for them, but it could be end of the line rather harshly if the result doesn’t follow an easy slate of group victories for the hosts.
Later Saturday, Mexico plays Argentina, which might well be the end of the line for CONCACAF. The Argies have better than anybody, and although Borgetti is slated to return for Mexico, there’s a lot of firepower to counter.
On Sunday, Off the Ball wants to see England fans suffer in the Ecuador game, regardless of result. Especially with Sven supposedly offering up yet another formation — a 4-5-1. Has he been talking to Bruce?
The Dutch and Portuguese also square off Sunday, with both games consisting of a mini group of death, given the matchups.
Italy seems like and overwhelming favorite against Australia, but Guus Hiddink’s men didn’t give Brazil a half-bad effort in group play. Switz vs. Ukraine? Toss up.
Brazil ought to bring Ghana back down to earth, and France vs. Spain on Monday could be the end for Zinedine Zidane, who was given a reprieve after watching Les Bleus beat Togo Friday to advance. Don’t see his side being able to counter a hot-looking Spanish side, Friday’s blah-blah effort against the Saudis aside.
The quarters look even more mouth-watering: Off the Ball thinks it will be Germany vs. Argentina; Italy vs. Ukraine; England vs. Holland; and Brazil vs. Spain.
And here’s the Final Four: Argentina vs. Italy; Holland vs. Brazil.
Yes, the prospect of a South American final looms, but I’ll hold off making a predix until we get closer.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Henry
June 25, 2006 8:12 AM | Link to this
Wendy, good down to earth comments. However, I want to make one more observation on the US team. Just look at Mexico, we forget that we won the CONCACAF round and played like Cuba. The Mexican players wanted to win we didn’t. Germany started like gang busters and went into cruse controll after the expultion of the Swedish player. I am getting more and more convinced of a Germany-Brasil final.
By Chris
June 25, 2006 4:01 PM | Link to this
Henry,
Can you give Scolari a call and convince him to come over and coach the US National team for the next 4 years? Then he can appoint you the head of US youth developement. I think we would be well on our way to some success if you can get the Brasil administration in place for us ASAP.
By John
June 25, 2006 9:57 PM | Link to this
Manny Lagos actually sounded perky and euphoric during every game he announced. He sounded like Scott Hamilton analyzing figure skating. I kept waiting for him to say they were going to make a deduction because somebody two-footed a landing.
By mark Mcquade
June 25, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this
brazil to bring ghana back down to earth!? if you’ve play soccer before, you wouldn’t make those comments. i think brazil is walking on thin ice and if not careful the Elephants might just stomp on the King of the Jungle. to me, if looks more like Germany Vs Brazil and if Ghana wins, then it’ll be Germany Vs Ghana….either of those teams will go all the way
By Henry
June 26, 2006 8:10 AM | Link to this
Chris, if I could I would, good idea so. He is animated, is he? Great to watch. As for me running the youth movement at least here in Georgia it could be done if I wanted to live with all the political BS. Of course Klinsmann was successfull in Germany, cuting through the German establishment led by Beckenbauer.
I will change my mind about so many referees being bad. It is obvious now that the stupidity lies with FIFA. The referees are mainly following orders and if they want to officiate the final they better listen to the FIFA masters.
I wonder who FIFA is going to blame now, for destroying, what could have been the best game of the tournament between Portugal vs Netherland, now that they have managed to elliminate the crybabies, USA. What and who are they going blame for the 16 yellow and 4 red card. In my oppinion there should have only beem 6 yellows and 1 red card. Figo should have gotten the only other red card for head butting. This was a very hard fought game. So many yellows that even the refrees got confused and issued three yellows before giving the red one, to my knowlege at least twice.
The first half of the game mas electrifying with only interupted by yellow card and silly foul calls. The second half was mared by more silly yellow card and due to so many stupid yellows in the first half, far to many red card, hence the avoideble incidents. When clean hard tackels are being punished by stupid yellow cards the game will be on its way out. What started as the greatest World Cup games ever, is turning into an infrigement card fest. Shame on FIFA. Just immaging if by any chance Germany and England get to the finals. NATO better be ready.
By Chris
June 26, 2006 1:07 PM | Link to this
Big Phil (Scolari) is definetly more quotable than bitter Bruce. Off of bbc.com
However, Scolari defended Figo, saying: “Jesus said we should turn the other cheek. Unfortunately, Figo is not Jesus Christ.”
By Chop Chop
June 26, 2006 1:31 PM | Link to this
After watching the Italy-Australia game, I’m left with one question:
If Aloisi goes down in the box like Grosso, would Australia get a penalty kick?
The only answer I can come up with is decidedly in the negative. Unfortunately, Lucas Neill opened the trapdoor for a diving Italian. I feel bad for the Aussies. To get bounced out of the World Cup like that is a joke.
By Oliver
June 26, 2006 5:06 PM | Link to this
I seriously doubt that it will be an All-South American final. The cup is in Europe and it’s been a long time since any non European team won there (1958-Brasil). It could even be an All-Europe final such as Germany-Spain. I’m leaning toward Germany-Brasil, however.