# 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:** 38
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/741 "2010-06-18T15:59:08Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > I’ll tell you what, Altidore had every right to be furious. He was mauled the whole game and his goal was disallowed, all due to utterly incompetent referees. These guys have no business refereeing a rec league game, they were that bad. The disallowed goal was a howler, definitely the worst of this World Cup. But Altidore can’t just keep falling down in the box and expecting a penalty. It ain’t gonna happen. He got plenty of free kicks when he was fouled out of the box. It’s a physical game. ---
**Author:** ![wintertime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c68b51/32.png) [@wintertime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wintertime)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/742 "2010-06-18T16:00:11Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Its an absolute travesty that one of the better comebacks I’ve seen in the WC gets demolished due to sheer incompetence by a fucking referee. Its utter fucking bullshit. I think your reaction is far too mild to sum up the situation properly. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/743 "2010-06-18T16:01:03Z")
The Americans need to stop whining about the refs. It’s over. They should count themselves lucky to have drawn a match they should have lost and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/744 "2010-06-18T16:03:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Americans need to stop whining about the refs. It’s over. They should count themselves lucky to have drawn a match they should have lost and move on. Thanks, mom. The game isn’t over 5 minutes and here you are, King of the Ref Whiners, telling us that we need to let it go? Give me a Goddamn break. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/745 "2010-06-18T16:03:46Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Americans need to stop whining about the refs. It’s over. They should count themselves lucky to have drawn a match they should have lost and move on. What? It was a match we should have _won_, not lost! Anyway, so what happens if Algeria draws England and then both the USA and England win their next game and each have 5 points? Do they play each other again to determine the group winner? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/746 "2010-06-18T16:04:06Z")
On the Irish show Graham Souness and Ronnie Whelan both ex players with a huge amount of experience can’t work out what was wrong with the goal. Souness is particular is hitting the ref very hard indeed. These matches are too important for people like this to be looking after matches. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/747 "2010-06-18T16:04:44Z")
> [@mittu](#): > > The referee should put why he blew the whistle in his match report, maybe he saw something we haven’t but for the life of me I have no idea why he disallowed the goal. > > The USA still look quite good though, they should beat Algeria and finish on 5 points which may well be enough to see them through. Is it even possible to get five points and not go through? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/748 "2010-06-18T16:05:09Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Americans need to stop whining about the refs. It’s over. They should count themselves lucky to have drawn a match they should have lost and move on. I’m not American and neither are the seasoned pros on TV that are saying it’s a disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/749 "2010-06-18T16:05:52Z")
I suppose the one positive is that there doesn’t seem to be much difference between being 1st or 2nd in Group C. Of the teams in Group D, Germany is probably the one you want to avoid. With their loss earlier today, there’s no guarantee that they’ll win Group D anyway. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/750 "2010-06-18T16:06:27Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > What? It was a match we should have _won_, not lost! > Anyway, so what happens if Algeria draws England and then both the USA and England win their next game and each have 5 points? Do they play each other again to determine the group winner? There’s a whole list of how they work it out. I believe first is goal difference (goals scored - goals let in). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/751 "2010-06-18T16:07:07Z")
I was talking about the coach and the players after the game, not fans/announcers. It just sounds pissy when the teams themselves do it. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/752 "2010-06-18T16:07:29Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > I’m not American and neither are the seasoned pros on TV that are saying it’s a disgrace. I’m a Brit supporting England. This was the best result for England. Even then, I have to say that the US were robbed. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/753 "2010-06-18T16:08:11Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Is it even possible to get five points and not go through? I think so. Imagine a group of Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Mauritius. The big 3 all draw each other (2 points) and beat up on Mauritius (3 points), finishing on 5. Whichever scored the least against Mauritius would be out. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/754 "2010-06-18T16:08:23Z")
Hello, I’m an American who is not well-versed in things Round Robin… What does the tie do to the USA’s chances of advancing? It seems to hurt us quite a bit - will 5 points be enough to get in or do we need a win and help? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/755 "2010-06-18T16:08:42Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > I think so. Imagine a group of Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Mauritius. The big 3 all draw each other (2 points) and beat up on Mauritius (3 points), finishing on 5. Whichever scored the least against Mauritius would be out. Shit of course, yes. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/756 "2010-06-18T16:09:42Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Hello, I’m an American who is not well-versed in things Round Robin… > > What does the tie do to the USA’s chances of advancing? It seems to hurt us quite a bit - will 5 points be enough to get in or do we need a win and help? A win should be enough as there doesn’t appear to be a whipping boy in the group. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/757 "2010-06-18T16:10:08Z")
Just saw a repeat of the disallowed goal. There was at least 4 players holding US players in the penalty box. AMAZINGLY bad decision. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/758 "2010-06-18T16:10:54Z")
> **[2010 FIFA World Cup | Group stage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_cup_2010#Group_stage)** > > All times are South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2). > The tournament match schedule was announced in November 2007. In the first round, or group stage, the 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, with each team playing the other three teams in their group once. Teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and none for a defeat. The top two teams in each group advanced to the round of 16. > The South American teams performed strongly, with all five advancing to the round of... Tie-breaking criteria For the World Cup tournament, FIFA uses the following criteria to rank teams in the Group Stage.[71] greatest number of points in all group matches; goal difference in all group matches; greatest number of goals scored in all group matches; greatest number of points in matches between tied teams; goal difference in matches between tied teams; greatest number of goals scored in matches between tied teams; drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/759 "2010-06-18T16:11:21Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > A win should be enough as there doesn’t appear to be a whipping boy in the group. Even if the US beats Algeria, if England wins over Algeria then draws with Slovenia, they’ll all have five points and it’ll come down to tie-breakers. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/760 "2010-06-18T16:11:51Z")
Holy shit - 20,000 tweets a minute coming in about the disallowed goal . . . . twitter’s almost exploded. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=39)