What dictionary says “offsides” is wrong?
He’s been playing for Everton for the last few months. City scouts have had ample time to watch him live before the World Cup.
I couldn’t agree more. Both forms of rugby, league and union, have been using television match officials/video referees for more than a decade and no fan would advocate going back to the bad old days. Even cricket uses a third umpire for close calls. Given that all significant football games are televised with multiple cameras it seems simple to allow for another match official to look at replays and adjudicate on the close calls. Start using it for all internationals immediately after this World Cup and the system would be ready for 2014.
Shocking officiating in both of the matches today–failing to recognize Lampard’s legitimate goal, and failing to recognize Tevez’s offside position. I can’t believe none of the officials saw that the ball was at least a yard over the line in Lampard’s case. If they had an extra official behind the goal (like they did in the Europa cup last season), surely they would have spotted it?
Apparently, regarding Tevez’s goal, the big screens at the stadium showed the replay which proved it was offside–just as the referee was conferring with the linesman. Fantastic moment of comedy there, wherein everybody in the stadium had irrefutable visual proof that the goal shouldn’t have counted, but FIFA couldn’t acknowledge it or that would open the door to video replays–and we can’t have THAT. I did think for a moment they were going to disallow the goal, but… no. Nothing to see here, move along…
On the other hand, simply amazing goals from Tevez (his second) and Hernandez. And England’s defense was pitiful in marking the Germans. I wonder how different it might have been had Rio Ferdinand been fit? (though the problems in midfield can’t be overlooked) Still, I don’t think anyone could say the better sides lost today–Germany and Argentina were clearly superior. Mexico almost made a game of it, but Argentina are just too strong up front. England, for their part, never really showed up at this tournament.
Oh, and since we won’t get to see England again, I did want to mention how much fun it was watching the match on Univision. The commentator kept referring to Wayne Rooney as “Astro Boy,” and Frank Lampard became “Super Frankie.” At least it gave me something to smile about!
Goal of the tournament. So far. The fact that he was able to put that much power behind a shot even though he hit the ball at a right angle to his body was astonishing.
Goals-per-game has now risen above the all-time low of 2.21 in 1990.
Well, there’s still time for the Germans to have a couple of matches where they score one and then play keep-away for 60 minutes, in the spirit of 1990.
There are plenty of US fans that hate the guy.
He did this very well in the tournament. One of his problems is picking the right lineup to start the game. Especially against Algeria.
If he was retained, I wouldn’t be upset. I wouldn’t mind an upgrade though.
Yes. If it was up to me, I’d eliminate all human factor in officiating.
The tournament in which they scored more goals than anyone else. I think they’re also in the lead in this tournament.
I’m not sure about that, but I do think they should at the very least use the goal line cameras.
They scored a ton against inferior opponents (like the UAE). Against good opponents they would get a one-goal lead then waste as much time as possible. It’s not a coincidence that the ban on the backpass was established after that World Cup.
ok, so we easily pass the group stage against weak opponents, then we win with effort against Mexico, then we play Germany… I’VE ALREADY SEEN THIS MOVIE !!! :eek::eek::eek:
dammit Wintertime, you promised 
ok, now 4 days, 12 hours, 40 minutes, 20 seconds to the Argentina - Germany game.
Can anyone recommend some good heart medicine?..
I agree completely. There’s simply no excuse why this hasn’t happened yet and brought soccer into the 21st century. They say they want to keep it simple and such, and not allow technology to affect the game, yet they have all the refs with radios and such now. There’s no reason not to implement a replay rule when it comes to close calls on things like offsides that result in goals (if they call the offside and it turns out it wasn’t there’s not much they can do) or goals taht should have been but weren’t, which has happened to several teams this world cup (US were robbed twice fer fuck’s sake)
Argentina played well today, but I didn’t like what I saw of the defense. The keeper was wobbly as hell and they were fortunate not to go behind in the first ten minutes. I was almost glad that Mexico snuck in the final goal so maybe Diego will pay some attention to the back.
The defense simply hasn’t been tested yet (except for about ten minutes today). I’m afraid Germany will make them pay the way they’re playing. They have some of the best players in the world, but they’re all playing in the front.
I’m not convinced that Diego even knows he has a defence.
You were saying? (4-1 against England. Not too shabby)
Nice!
Heinze seems to be having a great tournament (from what I can tell, I’m no expert) what with the goal in the first game and some spectacular defensive headers yesterday. Unfortunately, Dimichelis has made some awful mistakes. He single-handedly gave Korea a goal and nearly did the same yesterday to Mexico.
Germany VS Argentina. Unless I’m horribly mistaken here Maradona still doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground coaching-wise. Thus I’m picking Lowe and his renewed Mannschaft over the Albiceleste. Though it’s safe to say that Messi can win a match on his own.
One can only dream, but I’d love a re-match of the Euro Final. Think we’d do even better…but I’m just musing.
**Netherlands vs Slovakia 10:00 A.M. EST
Brazil vs Chile 2:30 P.M. EST**
Too bad Chile has so many players in trouble, for if you’re looking for an upset that would be my pick.
Party on just the same.