Comments on: Breaking down the Friendlies

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:51:02 +0000

Starry one – Ghana looked like a minnow in the middle of a desert. I think Doya’s days are numbered and I’m not sure if that is a bad thing. As they say, saying good-bye to someone you love is never easy.

By: Grading the Groups after the Friendlies - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:44:10 +0000

[...] We’ve taken a look at the teams that impressed and distressed during this week’s friendlies, now let’s take a gander at which World Cup groups are alive and kicking, and which ones are on life support. [...]

By: Starry Wisdom

Starry Wisdom — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:40:06 +0000

And what about little Ghana? Their performance was prety indicative of what we can expect in Germany- little offense and shaky backline work- but do you think this is the straw that broke the camel’s back for the Grandmaster?

By: Lyle

Lyle — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:57:18 +0000

It is going to a fantastic World Cup. Much better than Korea/Japan I suspect.

Obviously, things will be different come June… teams should actually be prepared and organized to perfom up to their potential.

Serbia-Montenegro and Croatia are clearly going to scare the bejesus out of people, despite their obscurity in international soccer.

Cote d’Ivoire looks to be the real deal. Angola won’t get clobbered, and neither will Ghana. Togo… nobody knows. Tunisia will compete.

Saudi Arabia is the one really bad team in the tournament, but I’m proud that they only lost 3-0. So there is a little hope for them.

Trinidad surprised in beating an Iceland squad. Iceland isn’t that bad a team when properly put together.

France will get its act together and do well.. plus it has it easy in its group and in the round of 16 probably.

Spain is going to shine in Germany. Italy might win in Germany. Brazil is impressive even while playing in Artic conditions.

US is not a farce no more. They beat a decent Poland side in wintery conditions, which should have benefited Poland a lot more. The game could have gone either way though.

Mexico needs to get better.

Costa Rica can dance with the big boys.

Iran might make it to the next round.

Sweden and Germany need to get their crap together, otherwise it’s going to be a Trinidad and Costa Rica show come June. Think how many Germans will drown themselves in the Rhine or Danube if Costa Rica wins in that first match? Klinsmann won’t just live in America, he’ll become American.

If Germany loses to the U.S. in Dortmund, Klinsmann might get fired. Seriously.

Switzerland might be better than Germany and Sweden.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 14:50:54 +0000

OS – Poland looked to be what I expected. They are a big, physical team with a well organized defense. Didn’t see much offense from them though. Considering the state of Germany and the mediocrity of Ecuador and Costa Rica, I’d say they are in a good position in Group A.

By: Os Davis

Os Davis — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:20:49 +0000

Bob,

Wow. Nice summation. Thank you for watching 1,000 hours of football in one day.

Just one q, though? What’s your assessment of my guys, Poland? One friendly loss and the media’s mood over there already appears to be grim…