World Cup Thread Day 11

Submitted by Transatlantic Flight on

Since a thread has not been created yet...

France v. South Africa

Mexico v. Uruguay

Argentina v. Greece

Nigeria v. South Korea

 

All should be pretty good matches. France is getting handles by the South Africans, and the pro-schadenfreudist in me wants nothing more than to see France burn.

1464

June 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

I hate me some ESPN, but I loves me some ESPN streaming video.  So convenient.  Add in a mute button, and I haven't done anything legitimate at work for over a week...

PurpleStuff

June 22nd, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^

South Africa are now two goals away (if they score one of them) from advancing ahead of Mexico.  Could be an unexpectedly wild finish, especially if the French continue to lay down.

MAgoBLUE

June 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^

Henry just entered the game.  I like how he's gonna be in there to see the bitter end of the mess he created with that hand ball.  Don't mess with the Irish

MAgoBLUE

June 22nd, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^

Mexico is getting a little worried and they are pressing for a goal.  It's fun to watch right now

 

EDIT:  doesn't really matter now that France has scored.  Mexico will probably relax a little

PurpleStuff

June 22nd, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^

Ribery and Malouda combine for an easy French goal.  Still 2-1 South Africa, but all but eliminates Bafana Bafana who now need 3 goals between themselves and Uruguay to catch Mexico on goal difference.

jmblue

June 22nd, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^

Of all the strange decisions Domenech has made, not starting Malouda in two of the three matches in South Africa has to be up there.  Malouda had a fantastic season at Chelsea and was probably France's best player in this tournament.

grand river fi…

June 22nd, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^

It was in all the french papers before the first game that Malouda and Domenech had been in a fight.  It really wasn't much of a surprise, Domenech has always had personal beef with some of the players.  Ludovic Giuly missed the 2006 world cup because he was flirting with Domenech's girlfriend at a party.  The man has been a disgrace for years, the events of this tournament aren't really much of a surprise. 

Transatlantic Flight

June 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^

It was interesting to see South Africa and France play. Both were longshots to move on, but it was refreshing to see the Bafana Bafana play for national pride and play a fun game, where the French looked miserable the entire time.

It's a tough break for South Africa not to get to the second stage, but they were way more competitive than most people expected. Congrats to them.

jam706

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^

I'm glad to see South Africa beat France and get a win as host, but my team is Mexico, so I'm okay with the group result as well. I really wanted to beat Uruguay and avoid Argentina in the round of 16. They played in 2006 as well, with the goal of the tournament eliminating Mexico, hopefully that's not the case this year.

jamiemac

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^

I have really enjoyed El Tri this World Cup. What a great team to watch. Great chemistry of past, present and future. It's going to be tough to do damage with that draw, but I think they have a shot.

I have enjoyed all the Western Hemisphere teams really, but I love watching Mexico play

Good luck to your boys!!!

juiceman

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^

Did anyone notice the post-match exchange between the head coaches Domenech and Parreira?  It looked a bit icy.  I can only speculate Domenech was unhappy with the referee issuing a red card for Gourcuff's elbow in the 1st half?  What a complete shit show for France.  Zidane should step in and restore order.  

 

grand river fi…

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^

fitting way for Domenech to go out, what a complete loon. It'll be hard to top proposing to his girlfriend after the Euro'08 elimination though.  The French have no need for Zidane with Laurent Blanc coming in.  Funny seeing Henry at the end there, he'll get blamed for the whole thing but do you think he really cares, he's won everything there is to win and has a lazy retirement to look forward too.

jamiemac

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:35 PM ^

Ooooh, Mexico vs Argentina on Sunday is tasty for this nuetral fan.

I'd link the goal from 2006, but I see it upthread

Uruguay gets Sout Korea, Nigeria or Greece. Then like the US, England, Slovenia, Ghana, Serbie.....maybe Germany......in the quarters.

I like them to get to the Semis. They'll play Brazil, who rolled them once in qualification and beat them in a tight game in the other leg.

grand river fi…

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^

Brazil has a lot more range to their play then the Argentines.  I think if were lucky enough to see them meet in the semis it'll look a lot like the last Copa America final, where Argentina, having dominated the entire tournament, retreated into their shell when the more physical Brazillians came out and started kicking them.  It was shocking to see them so easily bullied out of the game.  Granted Argentina isn't built around Riquelme and Messi is less susceptible to these tactics by I don't see the Brazilians playing it any differently.

Transatlantic Flight

June 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^

Argentina has been my favorite team to watch in the tournament by far. It's hard to see them beating Brazil, who have a really really tight team offensively and defensively, but that would be an awesome match to see. Based on play up to this point, I would not be surprised to see Argentina make it that far. Of the possible quarterfinals teams you listed, I think only Germany really has a team that could potentially roll Argentina.

hailtothevictors08

June 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^

is kicking ass and taking names ...

there is a real chance that all the western hemisphere teams other than Hondraus will move on to the knockout rounds (in no way am i taking the nats game for granted, im scared as shit)

on the other hand ... no european team (other than perhaps the dutch) have looked impressive all the time and the african sides have been just awful

MGoBender

June 22nd, 2010 at 3:58 PM ^

Holy crap what a save to not give up the rebound by the Greek keeper.  He's feeling some pain on that one.  Let's hope the replay shows the shot hit his stomach and not further south....

PurpleStuff

June 22nd, 2010 at 3:58 PM ^

Redemption for Yakubu.  Assuming Greece doesn't score to beat Argentina, the winner of this advances and the Koreans are through with a draw.  Should be a great finish.

PurpleStuff

June 22nd, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^

Obafemi Martins easily chips the keeper but pushes it wide.  Tons of chances both ways but the Nigerians have missed some unbelievable sitters.  Argentina scores to go up 1-0 on Greece as well.

Transatlantic Flight

June 22nd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^

Diego Maradona officially wins the crown of craziest mofo to ever coach anything. Anyone catch him literally jumping on another guy and piggyback riding him?

His antics alone make Argentina's games entertaining.

PurpleStuff

June 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^

The Argentina-Mexico rematch should be fantastic.  Uruguay has to love its chances for a deep run now that they get to face a team in the Round of 16 who've conceded six goals in three games.