Yes, because the officiating at this World Cup has been soooo good.
Then why is it that Japan have had far more fouls committed against them but are in the middle or the bottom of the pack in all of those categories?
Simply contesting the silly notion that we have a a team of divers and the reasons why. Haven’t missed more than a handful of La Furia Roja match in decades and that’s simply not the way we play – and now less than ever. Did Capdevilla exaggerate the elbow? Maybe, maybe not. Was it thrown? Absolutely. And that’s your Red card right there.
Perhaps Capdevilla should have waited for this to happen?
Italy 2 – 1 Spain Quarter-finals 1994 FIFA World Cup
End of. For me anyway.
Dude, you make a living out of “being right” about everything.
So answer your own self. I’ve already explained why.
Cheers!
ETA: As well as your dislike of the Spanish NT as far back as the Confed Cup – when I remember telling you, your keepers would do you in.
Well, at least you were right about something, then. 
Bwahahahahahaha!!!
You mean, “About one in ten dives are carded, if the official is feeling especially generous that day.”
You do know that the first 2 QF matches are on Friday, right? Holland-Brazil is at 10AM EDT. I’m assuming you’re not on the other side of the Int’l date line.
Yes, but I’m at work during those anyway. 
What a load of rubbish. Perhaps we should give Ronaldo and Messi shoulder pads and let them barge their way through. If even the best players in the world want to get through properly organised defences then they will have to push themselves to the limits of their pace, dexterity or just skill. You will not get past a top class defender by simply running past him. Well, you can go past, but he will have the ball. Attacking players taking risks to create scoring opportunities will be off-balance frequently, thats the game.
And as for the “slightest touch”? Try this. Run behind an olympic sprinter, and kick his ankle/shin when he is at full flight. What happens? He will trip and fall. And thats just running in a straight line.
Yes yes and yes. Blatter’s show has been just short of horrendous when it comes to the officiating; not sure why he is so darned opposed to instant replays seeing as we did that the additional goal line officials experimented with in the Europa League were even more inept.
That said, my reasoning stands, we’re one of the most attacking teams at the WC – and certainly the ones with most possession by quite a bit. Thus as bucketybuck explains quite well, a team going forward is always going to experience more fouls than one holding back. Why? Read his post. Or try running full speed past me and see how easily I can make you go head over heels.
So to those that say we’re divers I’ll simply say that, all things being equal, Spain should have gotten at least two to three additional PK calls. So talk about Capdevilla all you want, but why not comment the way Torres was taken down in the box early in the match? In the end, one can only hope the (mis) calls even out. Been that way for ever.
Doesn’t mean that I agree with it. In fact, instant replays should have been in place years ago…but one can only play with the rules as are, not as they should be.
PS-In case it wasn’t clear I meant to say two or three additional PK calls over the course of our four matches thus far. In the match vs Portugal I only saw the one vs Torres. But in the other three I’d argue we didn’t get many – if any – favorable calls.
For the record I wasn’t bashing Spain when I posted that video. I didn’t mean any sort of insult by it.
The only fouls I really notice are the ones commentators bring to my attention. I’m new to the sport so legit tackles and fouls are are hard for me to distinguish.
That’s some pretty flaky reasoning right there. I’m going to support Paraguay for a very good reason.
None taken. I can certainly see how some of the intricacies – and yes, trust me, there are many – of the game can be lost on a fairly new spectator. And obviously announcers in the US and/or nations newish to football are and/or should be wary of getting into them if only because they are trying to capture their audience first and foremost. As they should.
As for the back-and-forth between RNATB and myself, pretty sure it’s par for the course between opposing footy fans – just slightly more than ribbing each other. No big. At least on my end.
I’ve been reading about her for some time. And you’re right. Those are, at the very least, two mighty reasons to get…hmm…behind…in front…of Paraguay. Certainly beats Frank’s bookish approach. 
But on a personal note, I’d need a heck of a lot more. No need to get into detail.
I am rooting for Spain, mainly because of their relatively clean play, but also because they’re about the only team remaining who has never won the WC but has a reasonable chance to. They’ll need a more creative offense if they’re going to compete with the likes of Brazil and Argentina, though.
I’m rooting for Spain cause I was given their group during our friendly betting draw, so if Spain wins I get about $400 
I support Argentina for nearly the same reason. C’mon, who doesn’t want to see what’s under these short shorts?!?
I daresay our offense is as creative as they come in terms of providing chances. Finishing has been the Achilles Heel though.
Appreciate the support. TY.
Jeepers! Your user name is just begging for a retort to that one.
But I’m on my best behavior. So thanks as well.
Speak for yourself. I hope you burn in hell.
I’m away on holiday for the next week so here are my (rather random) picks for the rest of the tournament.
Quarterfinals
Netherlands v Brazil [Brazil to win a less than stellar match 2-1.
Uruguay v Ghana Ghana to keep the dream alive for Africa by a very defensive 1-0 win.
Argentina v Germany in the game of the tournament Germany wins 3-2 with Ozil hailed as the best player in the world.
Paraguay v Spain Emulating Switzerland, Paraguay choke Spain to a 0-0 draw and go through on penalties.
Semifinals
Brazil v Ghana in a shock result Ghana get a debatable goal, Brazil goes down 1-0.
Germany v Paraguay Paraguay collapse 3-0 to Germany.
Third Place Match Brazil, free from all cares about winning the whole thing put 3 past Paraguay to take third.
Final In a replay of their group match, Ghana goes out to an early lead, with Germany equalising early in the second half. The winner is created by Ozil with 2 minutes left in the match. Germany win 2-1.