The OFFICIAL TG FIFA World Cup 06 Predictions/discussion/hype thread

[Obi]

Originally Posted by icky

My proposal is that they review the video AFTER games and suspend anyone who is seen obviously faking an injury. You can't expect refs to always see what happened, and you can't expect them to review every play during the game, but if players are suspended, like Henry missing the Brazil game, the acting will quickly disappear.

Yep, totally agree. Especially when a bad decision leave players getting suspended from games.

[Wulfyn]

Video evidence is used after the game to judge upon whether cards should be revoked or suspensions enforced. In this case it was said by the officials that the referee had dealt with teh situation sufficiently at the time (he was given a yellow card they state).


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Ok, so now we are into the last 8. The quarter finals are regarded by a fair amount of these nations to be the minimum acceptable level to reach, and few sides are upset to not progress further in terms of predictions - of course once you have reached there it is always a disappointment to go out. This year we have some real heavyweights as well with winners very difficult to predict.

Germany vs Argentina

Despite being written off before the tournament began the Germans have deservedly progressed to this stage and looked solid at every step of the way. One of only 4 teams to gain maximum points from the group stage (Portugal, Brazil and Spain being the others) their style of fast open attacking football has nullified the defensive weaknesses so apparent in the 4-2 victory over Costa Rica which opened the tournaments. They have won the hearts and minds of the public. Never underestimate the Germans when it comes to a finals tournament - they looked poor 4 years ago and still progressed to the finals. When you add in the home support you have a team that more and more will fancy their chances on claiming the cup. They go up against the early favourites of Argentina, who have blended fast breaks with sublime passing. They flattered to deceive a little in their opener vs the Ivory Coast, but thumped a very sorry looking Serbia and Montenegro team by 6. A routine draw with Holland saw them top their group. However frailties were exposed against a rampant Mexico side who will feel hard done by to not be facing Germany themselves. Argentina showed that they had vulnerabilities when faced by a fast paced aggressive styled opponent who has no fear of attacking - the very opponent that Germany will prove to be.

Prediction: I expect this to be the most open of the games. The confidence that Germany have now will lead them to attack with utter self-belief and I think this will set the tone of the. It may go to extra time but I expect Germany to win without neding penalties.


Italy vs Ukraine

The Italians have played with a mixed bag so far. Their superstar Roma playmaker Francesco Totti is once again proving he is not an international heavyweight, and their attacks look troubled and lacking in sharpness. However there is no doubt that the stoney defence upon which the team is built is still present in full force with only the United States having found the back of Buffon's net. They were fortunate to progress against a gutsy Australia that was not lacking in skill after a blatent dive. Discipline will have to be maintained for the Italians, but if they do have a player sent off at least they can take heart in that they have got some experience of playing with 10 men in this tournament. Ukraine are looking scared, like a wide-eyed teenager that has got into a club underage and is just waiting for a bouncer to bust him. With respect to the Saudi's a 4-0 victory over the asian minnows hardly marks your team as world class, and they had a point to prove having been drubbed by the same scoreline just 5 days earlier. Only 1 goal since then has marked the Ukrainians as possibly struggling for creativity up front, and Shevchenko - as brilliant as the man is - is never going to set the world alight as a lone striker with no support.

Prediction: I'd be surprised if Ukraine scored. They never looekd like scoring against a good swiss side who did not conceed a goal in the tournament and I think the Italian defence is stronger. This may be a boring 1-0 but unlike England and much of the world media Italy have never had a problem with progressing at that scoreline.


England vs Portugal.

England have stumbled and staggered their way to the Quarter Finals with unimpressive performance following unconvincing ones. Many pundits argue that England have yet to step out of second gear, but other wonder if there are anymore to step up to. All manner of excuses from the heat to the formations have been touted but the truth of the matter is that in the tight world of International football it is very easy to force your opponents into playing negative football if you never attack them. Because of this the one major concern the team will have is their frailty over the Swedish set pieces. No other side has bothered to atatck them instead stuffing the midfield full of players in order to disrupt the English fast paced give and go style and forcing the game to slow right down. England will actually look forward to a team that will want to attack them as this will open up the game to something they are all far more used to. Portugal have been dominant in their games without ever being particularly impressive. They scraped through against a decent Angolan outfit, and were spared some blushes to come through two up to Iran. However their confidence began to grow and victories over Mexico and Holland will definitley lead them into thinking that on their day they can beat anyone, and I wouldn't be one to disagree with them. Major concerns for them are the 2 sendings off against Holland which result in Costinha and Deco missing from this match up. It will be interesting to see what Big Phil does with the midfield with these two gone and he will be more than a little worried about his team being outplayed in this area. Portugal will also have to have a lot of the remaining players playing a little more cautiously for fear of a second yellow causing them to be suspended for the semis.

Prediction: Portugal have real problems in the middle of the park. Teams have stifled England in this area by packing it but this style is not in the Portuguese plan. I expect Figo to play more centrally to combat this, but if Hargreaves can pin him down then i think Portugal will have to play from counter-attacks - if the English midfield remembers what a pass is. In a more open game I expect England to show their class against a weakened opposition.


Brazil vs France

Brazil have been hitting and missing. A decent performance against a good Croat side was only marred by porker-Ronaldo's shoes which were apparently glued to the grass. That said Croatia missed many good chances to equalise and will have rued not being able to beat an underperforming Brazil side. Brazil were very strong against Australia despite the Antipodeans giving them a very good match, and then against Japan they stepped it up a gear. Ghana was a game that you woud fancy as an upset with a physical african nation going all out against a team that is not used to not having a lot of opposition respect. Brazil were superfluous here however and rocked on to a strong victory. France for their part showed that you can play crap all tournament and then knock out a team that is playing amongst the best in the competition. Crap against Switzerland and South Korea they were only marginally more convincing against Togo, and many put this down to Zidane not being eligible. However they did the business against Spain, who despite achieving heights a little better the last two years than in many previous still remain tagged as the World Cup's greatest underachievers, to maintain the recor of never having lost to them in a competitve match.

Prediction: For me this is the hardest one to call as although I feel that Brazil are a much stronger side France are the sort of opopnent that they will notenjoy playaing against. A physically strong midfield will harry Brazilian players who typically enjoy spending time on the ball. Brazil will have to come out full guns blazing to come through here, but unfortunately for France I think they will.


Semi final predicted line up:

Germany vs Italy
England vs Bazil

[JimmyTwoHand]

The is an advert over here in the UK where the exact same thing happens.

That was a 32".
I also have something called "savings" for the first time ever. Really couldnt say no.

[DrunkenSoul]

Great Game between Germany and Argentina. Like the commentators said, i think there were some questionable subs by Argentina.

[Polska]

yayayaya Germany!

I expected them to be in the final from the start, and they most likely will.

[tau_neutrino]

Impressive performance by Germany's goalkeeper. Good win for Germany even though they looked like they didn't play well.

[RGM-79N_GM_CUstom]

I so need to buy a Klose jersey.

[Chappie]

Hey all,

Yea, Klose is a stud..no doubt....Quite a performance by both teams...I thought Germany looked a bit apprehensive at the start. Argentina was the better team for a long stretch...It looked like once Argentina took the lead Germany decided to play the way they have played this entire tournament...attacking football.

The way Germany sat back and defended reminded me of the way they use to play...I'm glad they decided to attack..they deserved to win the match. I wonder why Riquelme was subbed off??? Once he left the field, the Germans really took over.

Lehman gets alot of criticism by some soccer buddies of mine..but today he showed everyone why he's one of the best..

Very impressive performance by the Germans...bring on Italia!!!

Chappie

[Wulfyn]

well england lost on penalties again. can't say they really deserved to win tho - Portugal were there for the taking but we couldn't even get simple passes right. Looked like we decided to play for pens as soon as the red card was given.

gah

[PanzerHans]

Sorry England. Your boys displayed some brilliant defensive play. But Portugal was better this time. No more Mrs Beckham glamming for this time......

[icky]

That was pretty painful. England didn't capitalize on the opportunities they earned. Maybe next time.

[RGM-79N_GM_CUstom]

I was really hoping England would win. Portugal dives (and diving in general) is starting to really piss me off.

[RGM-79N_GM_CUstom]

OMG first England now Brasil.

Germany vs France for the final. You heard it first here.

[Santa]

I lost quite a bit of respect for Wayne Rooney after the England vs Portugal match. Its a man law to never go for another mans nuts. Germany should be able to beat Italy with their home field advantage, but itll be very close and probably at least go into extra time. I pick portugal to win against France, but Zidane was amazing vs Brazil

[Turbo]

Did Rooney actually try to step on the guy. He was fighting hard to get the ball back the guy fell on the ground and Rooney stepped down. I dont think he tried it at all.