That game today was so heartbreaking. Greece outlplayed them too! They took one shot, mishit it and it went in. The it was anti-football for the next hour and 20 minutes. It's like Costa Rica took a play out of our 2004 book...
But seriously, our idiot commentator here in the States, former mediocre-at-best goalkeeper Kasey Keller says Greece is "anti-football" but the team that had 1 shot on goal in 120 minutes of play and played with 10 men behind the ball the entire time is "scrappy". Greece played defensively in 2004 when they were up against (and beat in fair, NON-controversial matches) a. the defending champions (France) b. the favorites (Czechs) and c. the hosts who had their Golden Generation (Portugal) who they had already beat.
This World Cup they had more possession than 3 of their 4 opponents with the only exception being a game when they played with 10 men for about 60 minutes. Reputations just don't go away I guess, and haters gonna hate. As if Kasey Keller would ever start for Greece, never mind be third choice on the current USMNT
Oh, well. I still have my number one team left. I believe!
Robben is a wonderful footballer, but a shameless diver. Mexico should feel proud despite that very heartbreaking loss.
If you are referring to the penalty that wasn't a dive. Watch some replays. Also Netherlands should have already been given a penalty shot in the first half.
Robben is a wonderful footballer, but a shameless diver. Mexico should feel proud despite that very heartbreaking loss.
If you are referring to the penalty that wasn't a dive. Watch some replays. Also Netherlands should have already been given a penalty shot in the first half.
I thought it was a clear dive, but then again I thought the Samaras penalty against the Ivory Coast was a dive too until I saw the back angle and it was made clear.
In general though, Robben IS an absolutely shameless diver.
WHAT A MATCH! Today is the last of the month, so I have very much work to do and won't be available here but I've come just to share my emotions!
YEEEEAHH!
Van Gaal is a tactical genious. His tactics has won the match, his changes have won it, combined with some bad changes from the Mexico coach - the coach who changes his forward for a midfielder makes a bad decision, often resulting in a loss.
"I first changed to a 4-3-3 and then we created a lot of opportunities with a shot on the post and a fantastic save from[Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa].
"Then I moved to plan B and yes, I did that in the cooling break that is a clever way of benefiting from these breaks," he told reporters.
"They had faith and believed till the very end. The humidity was not in our favour. We were fresher and fitter than the Mexicans.
"Not only did my players have belief that they could perform today, they also were fit for this match.
"Yes, it was an escape but in the second half we showed that we could create more opportunities and we played three different systems."
"Did you see what I did?" he quizzed reporters.
"Van Gaal brought on target man Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, took Dirk Kuyt out of defence to partner him in attack and had his team pump long balls into the Mexico penalty area.
"It’s a big compliment that my players picked up on it immediately. We have a modest group of players but they have outstanding team spirit and this is ultimately what led to the victory."
Kuyt played in three positions throughout the 90 minutes on his 100th appearance for his country, starting in an unfamiliar role at left-back before moving to right-back and eventually up front as the Netherlands played catch-up after Giovani dos Santos had scored for Mexico.
"He's maybe the best tactically there is in the world," said the 33-year-old former Liverpool striker, who is now with Fenerbahce in Turkey.
"It doesn't matter what system we are playing, the players know exactly what to do. He told us before the game already that we could switch system if we were 1-0 down.
"We switched to 4-3-3, then 15 minutes before the end of the game he decided to put an extra striker to play longer balls and look for second balls, and we managed to score a goal so his tactics were once again spot on."
So, a valid win, and a wonderful one. I wonder if any other team could win against Mexico after Mexico has scored a goal in the second time? I doubt it.
Condolences to @booinyoureyes for Greece. To snatch a late equalizer and still lose. It should be harsh.
Footballers? Dive? I don't understand what you're talking about! I'm sure no self-respecting football player would try that; it would be cheating and unsportsmanlike!
(And I also have a bridge for sale. Real cheap! ;-) )
Boo - that was a tough game to watch. i also thought Greece outplayed Costa Rica, but scoring has been their bane and after an hour of man up football with the lion share of possession against a team that was packing it in and not threatening much, it became quite clear that this has not changed. too bad for them.
Robben's play was a dive in my book. yes there was contact but he didn't have to go down and he embellished the play to make it seem worse than it was. so it was an effective and legal dive, according to the current rules of soccer, which i happen to disagree with. i think they should try to remove much of the excessive diving and pretending to be hurt by retroactively fining and suspending players for blatant dives, and also actually enforce the rule that gives yellow cards when appropriate to such players. I also think the refs call way too many fouls and are too card happy. i've seen several times where a defender got the ball first, then their momentum carried them into the attacking player, yet they still received a card. i just don't understand what a defender is supposed to do to not receive a foul in that situation.
About Robben. Yes, he dives. That's part of his job, and he's for certain one of the best in the world. Against Mexico he had already had one foul without a penalty, one dive without foul and third time's the charm, one foul, dive and penalty. But the defender DID foul and gave the ref the chance to give a penalty. No point crying over it. If you foul in the box, you risk a penalty. Them's the rules!
There is a big fat difference between selling an actual foul and diving imo. Diving is when you werent fouled, but flop as if you were hit by a bus. Neither is entirely sporting, but extremely fast players that are pushing their limits are incredibly easy to knock down. Its a big issue in NHL hockey, and the refs can give out diving penalties. I think faking an injury is pretty terrible sportsmanship though, and should be penalized.
Reffing high pressure situations must be a nightmare. Either call or dont, and 10s of millions (hundreds of millions in the finals) are still pissed. I can see defense having difficulties running into attackers, but if you allow them, teams will have a rugby ogre for their centre defence.
There is a big fat difference between selling an actual foul and diving imo. Diving is when you werent fouled, but flop as if you were hit by a bus.
True, but Robben does both!
Anyway, enough with Robben (he's incredible and lets just leave it at that). How about Algeria? Making a game of it here. Watching at the office today, and they definitely seem up to it.
However, I hope Germany win for a couple reasons: 1. I like Germany's team a lot and my childhood best friend is German 2. I can not see a match between Algeria and France going well for anybody involved. And I don't mean on the pitch.
We'll leave it at Robben in the fastest attacker to attack.
I think he can run faster than I can bike. Mind, I have 4 inches and about 30 kilos, so I dont take it personal... unlike some! kidding!
Out of curiosity, seeing as flopping is actively rewarded, and very low risk, why would a player penalize his team by not selling whats saleable? The system is the problem, not really the coaches teaching that diving, let alone the players! Its not 'good sportmanship', but it's great gamesmanship... lets hope GIFA does something by the next Cup.
Anyone else disapointed that Africa got eliminated?
Very impressed with la Selección (Colombiana) and most happy with the Clockwork Orange. Re: diving, I think Robben has been unfairly singled out. The problem many people seem to have is not that he went down, even though that's what they claim, but the fact that he was rewarded a last minute penalty kick for it. I mean Diego Costa faked it with Spain earning them a penalty in their opening match against Holland, Hulk let himself fall at least thee times against Chile without ever being given a penalty kick for it. No one's complaining about those o similar cases, and now all of a sudden Robben, who didn't fake btw but merely exaggerate, is Satan incarnate, especially in the English press... Has to be because the ref gave the penalty. The problem in modern football is that attackers often need the theatrics to make sure a referee notices a foul has been committed, and also to literally save their knees and ankles. One of the Netherlands' best strikers in history, Marco van Basten, had to end his career at age 29 because his ankles were pretty much destroyed by defenders' incessant fouling. He was never a 'diver' but in hindsight I'd say I wish he had been...
Also sorry @booinyoueyes to see Greece go. I was surprised to see myself rooting for them against the Costa Ricans.
Finally huge respect to Algeria, the pace and skill of their passing was wonderful, and even if they weren't necessaily better than the Germans I feel a win wouldn't have been undeserved.
eh... I saw a lot of people get upset with Diego Costa, Hulk and especially Neymar. I guess it is just where you are from. Here in the States people seem to hate simulation, though it has become incredibly prevalent in the NBA nowadays.
Robben is also known for diving though. I remember him dropping left and right back in his Chelsea days. Some players have a reputation more than others. Drogba for example is possibly the most shameless of all, and everyone knows it. People think its hilarious that a player so physically imposing can go sprawling like he does. However, other players like Iniesta dive all the time and never seem to catch any flak. I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder (unless you have a Shield of Balduran)
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But seriously, our idiot commentator here in the States, former mediocre-at-best goalkeeper Kasey Keller says Greece is "anti-football" but the team that had 1 shot on goal in 120 minutes of play and played with 10 men behind the ball the entire time is "scrappy". Greece played defensively in 2004 when they were up against (and beat in fair, NON-controversial matches) a. the defending champions (France) b. the favorites (Czechs) and c. the hosts who had their Golden Generation (Portugal) who they had already beat.
This World Cup they had more possession than 3 of their 4 opponents with the only exception being a game when they played with 10 men for about 60 minutes. Reputations just don't go away I guess, and haters gonna hate. As if Kasey Keller would ever start for Greece, never mind be third choice on the current USMNT
Oh, well. I still have my number one team left.
I believe!
In general though, Robben IS an absolutely shameless diver.
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/B675579AB91095091585638723584_29e4966bade.0.4.1442652084490161002.mp4?versionId=aseAYGvAvNpxUu.2tlVBacilLrfaYuEF
WHAT A MATCH! Today is the last of the month, so I have very much work to do and won't be available here but I've come just to share my emotions!
YEEEEAHH!
Van Gaal is a tactical genious. His tactics has won the match, his changes have won it, combined with some bad changes from the Mexico coach - the coach who changes his forward for a midfielder makes a bad decision, often resulting in a loss.
"I first changed to a 4-3-3 and then we created a lot of opportunities with a shot on the post and a fantastic save from[Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa].
"Then I moved to plan B and yes, I did that in the cooling break that is a clever way of benefiting from these breaks," he told reporters.
"They had faith and believed till the very end. The humidity was not in our favour. We were fresher and fitter than the Mexicans.
"Not only did my players have belief that they could perform today, they also were fit for this match.
"Yes, it was an escape but in the second half we showed that we could create more opportunities and we played three different systems."
"Did you see what I did?" he quizzed reporters.
"Van Gaal brought on target man Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, took Dirk Kuyt out of defence to partner him in attack and had his team pump long balls into the Mexico penalty area.
"It’s a big compliment that my players picked up on it immediately. We have a modest group of players but they have outstanding team spirit and this is ultimately what led to the victory."
Kuyt played in three positions throughout the 90 minutes on his 100th appearance for his country, starting in an unfamiliar role at left-back before moving to right-back and eventually up front as the Netherlands played catch-up after Giovani dos Santos had scored for Mexico.
"He's maybe the best tactically there is in the world," said the 33-year-old former Liverpool striker, who is now with Fenerbahce in Turkey.
"It doesn't matter what system we are playing, the players know exactly what to do. He told us before the game already that we could switch system if we were 1-0 down.
"We switched to 4-3-3, then 15 minutes before the end of the game he decided to put an extra striker to play longer balls and look for second balls, and we managed to score a goal so his tactics were once again spot on."
So, a valid win, and a wonderful one. I wonder if any other team could win against Mexico after Mexico has scored a goal in the second time? I doubt it.
Condolences to @booinyoureyes for Greece. To snatch a late equalizer and still lose. It should be harsh.
France - Nigeria 2 - 0 ( France )
Germany - Algeria 3 - 0 ( Germany )
Penalty kicks at dawn!
(And I also have a bridge for sale. Real cheap! ;-) )
Choose your balls!
*Cough*
3-1 Germany
In just after kickoff!
Robben's play was a dive in my book. yes there was contact but he didn't have to go down and he embellished the play to make it seem worse than it was. so it was an effective and legal dive, according to the current rules of soccer, which i happen to disagree with. i think they should try to remove much of the excessive diving and pretending to be hurt by retroactively fining and suspending players for blatant dives, and also actually enforce the rule that gives yellow cards when appropriate to such players. I also think the refs call way too many fouls and are too card happy. i've seen several times where a defender got the ball first, then their momentum carried them into the attacking player, yet they still received a card. i just don't understand what a defender is supposed to do to not receive a foul in that situation.
of course, i'm a defender so i may be biased!
Then what is this poor Suarez fellow being punished for
Reffing high pressure situations must be a nightmare. Either call or dont, and 10s of millions (hundreds of millions in the finals) are still pissed. I can see defense having difficulties running into attackers, but if you allow them, teams will have a rugby ogre for their centre defence.
Anyway, enough with Robben (he's incredible and lets just leave it at that). How about Algeria? Making a game of it here. Watching at the office today, and they definitely seem up to it.
However, I hope Germany win for a couple reasons:
1. I like Germany's team a lot and my childhood best friend is German
2. I can not see a match between Algeria and France going well for anybody involved. And I don't mean on the pitch.
I think he can run faster than I can bike. Mind, I have 4 inches and about 30 kilos, so I dont take it personal... unlike some!
Out of curiosity, seeing as flopping is actively rewarded, and very low risk, why would a player penalize his team by not selling whats saleable? The system is the problem, not really the coaches teaching that diving, let alone the players! Its not 'good sportmanship', but it's great gamesmanship...
Anyone else disapointed that Africa got eliminated?
Re: diving, I think Robben has been unfairly singled out. The problem many people seem to have is not that he went down, even though that's what they claim, but the fact that he was rewarded a last minute penalty kick for it. I mean Diego Costa faked it with Spain earning them a penalty in their opening match against Holland, Hulk let himself fall at least thee times against Chile without ever being given a penalty kick for it. No one's complaining about those o similar cases, and now all of a sudden Robben, who didn't fake btw but merely exaggerate, is Satan incarnate, especially in the English press...
Also sorry @booinyoueyes to see Greece go. I was surprised to see myself rooting for them against the Costa Ricans.
Finally huge respect to Algeria, the pace and skill of their passing was wonderful, and even if they weren't necessaily better than the Germans I feel a win wouldn't have been undeserved.
Robben is also known for diving though. I remember him dropping left and right back in his Chelsea days. Some players have a reputation more than others. Drogba for example is possibly the most shameless of all, and everyone knows it. People think its hilarious that a player so physically imposing can go sprawling like he does. However, other players like Iniesta dive all the time and never seem to catch any flak. I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder (unless you have a Shield of Balduran)
I think Robben is a great player. One of the best offensive wings in the world.
Suarez is another great player.
That's it!
What I find surprising is that after 6 matches, Colombia is the only team who won his match without thrilling.
Germany could play with 0-5-5 and will still have a good defense
Argentina - Switzerland 2 - 1 ( Argentina )
Belgium - USA 1 - 1 ( penalty shootout Belgium )
2-1 USA