# 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 10, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677 "2010-06-10T17:32:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/261 "2010-06-13T12:28:09Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I thought this new ball was supposed to have erratic, unpredictable movement. I’m not seeing that, or else I don’t know that’s what I’m seeing. Haven’t used the ball, but by the looks of it, it seems to lift quite a bit; which would explain the myriad of off target shots we’ve seen. OTOH, I think you’re right about the “erratic movement,” or rather the lack of. Because from what we’ve seen so far, the main critics of the ball (namely goalies) have been, for the most part, excellent. A certain Mr Green excluded of course – but he can hardly blame his howler on the ball. * * * Not sure why I woke up for this one – well yeah, I do, it’s the WC – but that was one dull first half. England and the US, _on paper_, shouldn’t have much trouble dropping them. Of course a win by either side today might make things a bit more interesting than the US and England might want. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/262 "2010-06-13T12:37:51Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > It seems a little weird to have the showcase of football introduce an unfamiliar ball and expect players to adapt to its differences immediately. Marketing. It’s a tradition that goes back all the way to Mexico 1970. [**The History of the Official World Cup Match Balls**](http://www.soccerballworld.com/HistoryWCBalls.htm) A practice also adopted by the EC starting in 1984. Domestic leagues tend to keep the same ball for longer spans, although they do change the external look (graphics). The whining is par for the course as it magically disappears by the end of the first round. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/263 "2010-06-13T13:05:43Z")
haha Ziani ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/264 "2010-06-13T13:13:16Z")
> [@Gotterfunken](#): > > As for the tournament so far, the most memorable moment has to be Green’s fumbling the ball across the goal-line. Truly horrific. But, while England probably should have won the game, this squad really doesn’t have the quality to win the World Cup. Rooney and Lampard (esp. the latter) went missing for long stretches, Carragher and Wright-Phillips were woeful. And it’s still an open question who should partner Terry in defense (doesn’t look like King is fit yet–guess it’ll have to be Upson or Dawson), and–in light of Green’s performance–who will be in goal. > > So I doubt England will make it far, though they should get out of their group and probably go on to lose in a penalty-shoot out in the knock-out stages. Agree. This is probably the strongest England team for some time, but I’m not convinced it adds up to being truely world-class. Spain throughly outplayed us in a friendly last year, and they are the benchmark at the moment. Gerrard and Rooney and Cole are our best players, but Rooney can get shut out of games, and his temprament is still suspect. Lampard doesn’t consistantly reproduce his club form for England. Heskey gives good support, but is a really poor finisher. The wingers lack a bit of quality, and waste too many chances, although Lennon was pretty good yesterday. Johnson is great going forward, he scored an amazing goal against Mexico, but his defensive mistakes this season have almost been in the Rob Green class. Slovenia have just got a goal, was really hoping that one would end 0-0. Not good news for England or USA. > [@Gotterfunken](#): > > I also have doubts about Argentina. Messi is simply incredible, but he’s just one man. So long as he’s clicking, they’ll do well–but their defense is incredibly vulnerable, and a stronger team than Nigeria will surely exploit that vulnerability. Nigeria came very close to doing that themselves. Well, it’s not just Messi, they have plenty of good attacking players. They could have had 4 or 5 if the Nigerian goalie hadn’t had a great game. But yes, their defence looks very ropey. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/265 "2010-06-13T13:17:52Z")
Slovenia’s dark green kit is almost perfect camouflage when they are in the shaded parts of the field. On my TV you can hardly see them. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/266 "2010-06-13T13:24:21Z")
Weak match decided by yet another keeper blunder. OTOH this result puts a little added pressure on England and the US. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/267 "2010-06-13T13:27:10Z")
I found that too \*\*Ximenean \*\* Not the most inspiring of games anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/268 "2010-06-13T15:23:45Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Without a world class keeper only Brazil can win France managed it. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/269 "2010-06-13T15:34:45Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > France managed it. Nope. [\*\*Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Fabien BARTHEZ \*\*(FRA)](http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/270 "2010-06-13T15:41:50Z")
wooooooooooooooooooooo!!! ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/271 "2010-06-13T15:42:34Z")
First PK of the WC – handball against Serbia. Ghana’s Asamoa (sp?) coverts. 1-0 85th minute. ---
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/272 "2010-06-13T15:42:44Z")
Silly Serbs, you don’t use your hands in soccer/football. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/273 "2010-06-13T15:44:48Z")
The ITV commentator was asleep there - I can’t believe he missed the Serbian handball. It was the most blatant penalty I’ve ever seen but he seemed to think it had gone out for a goal kick. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/274 "2010-06-13T15:51:04Z")
Asamoah MOM, hits the post in added time. Ghana first African team to win a match in this WC. Congrats to them! ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/275 "2010-06-13T15:52:11Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Asamoah MOM, hits the post in added time He would have had a goal had he followed up the play rather than running off to celebrate the goal that didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/276 "2010-06-13T16:00:54Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > I feel bad for the one guy who was gonna go in and the Ref blew the whistle to end the game. He must be gnashing his teeth. > > Don’t. It’s a tactical move designed to waste a few seconds (help run out the clock) normally done by the team who wants to keep the score as is. It just happened to work to perfection in that it wasn’t even needed. Obviously the sub knows this. It amazes me how easily the officials are hoodwinked. We saw it again just now - the very moment 90 minutes was up, Ghana, who were in the lead, made a change. But the ref still ended the game after 93 minutes, and that included the seemingly statutory period in which he waited for the ball to go dead. It should have been at least 93:30. Bah. Bring back Clive Thomas, unfairly pilloried for calling time when the clock said time was up. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/277 "2010-06-13T16:12:44Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Weak match decided by yet another keeper blunder. OTOH this result puts a little added pressure on England and the US. Yup. This is the worst possible result from a US perspective. They’ll probably play for a draw against the US, and I could see the standings after two games being England and Slovenia on 4 and the US on two. Hell, if the US loses, it’s pretty much tournament over. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/278 "2010-06-13T16:15:44Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > He would have had a goal had he followed up the play rather than running off to celebrate the goal that didn’t happen. Or an assist if he’d realized that he was in a three on one break. But congratulations to Ghana! There’s a fan base that knows how to celebrate, I tell ya what. And a big ‘thanks for the sour persimmons, cousin’ to the Algerian side. What were you doing, Chaouchi, setting up a spike? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/279 "2010-06-13T16:19:46Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Yup. This is the worst possible result from a US perspective. They’ll probably play for a draw against the US, and I could see the standings after two games being England and Slovenia on 4 and the US on two. > > Hell, if the US loses, it’s pretty much tournament over. True that. Let’s hope that playing for a draw (if the Slovenians do) comes back to haunt them. There is such a thing as playing too passively. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/280 "2010-06-13T16:21:26Z")
By the way, do any real football fans want to comment on whether the sending-off was justified? I’m just a rank amateur, but it seemed to me that a yellow for that hold was overly harsh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=15)