Comments on: Next Stop: The World Cup

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 18 May 2006 17:23:12 +0000

Agreed, and even the ref was second guessing himself afterward. Although his call was technically correct, the better call would have been to allow the goal and show Lehmann a yellow. The problem is he’s whistled play BEFORE Giuly’s shot. Too bad this time, but it serves as a great training situation for future officials, especially in big games.

By: colman1860

colman1860 — Thu, 18 May 2006 15:41:28 +0000

Did you even see the game soze? Eto’o fell into the area but was fouled more than a foot outside.

also, the exact wording for a sending off in that case is:

“Denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity”, which Lehmann didn’t since the ball went on to Giuly…of course it’s possible to give him a red card but I think we all, whether neutral, or Barca or Arsenal fans would have favoured the goal over the sending off.

By the way, Ronaldinho had a bad game by his standards – he was still one of the better players on the pitch setting up a breakaway (and thus the red card) and again Eto’o in the box when he hit the post…also had some nice moves on the wing in the first half and brought in some nice crosses…he’ll be back on (his) form in the world cup.

By: soze

soze — Thu, 18 May 2006 13:37:34 +0000

Does no one else think that the foul Lehman comitted should have been a penalty kick?..It was in the box, the ref gave ared but no PC????What was that?..Whatever call he made, fine…but at least make the right bad call.

By: Pedro P

Pedro P — Thu, 18 May 2006 11:27:45 +0000

DT, Beto and all, no matter how weak Germany is always Germany. Let alone at home…

I admit my lack of knowledge about Iran and today’s Mexico. BUT… I imagine Iran to be very similar to Turkey and only a blind would ignore Mexico from the old days.

Scolari says Iran is very skilled technically and that Mexico will surprise everybody this WC.

Portugal winning the whole thing…? Greece won EC2004 against a much better team, beat FRA, beat CZE. Denmark won EC 1992. Nothing is impossible.

An attacking team, that opens spaces and goes for it, even if stronger, will always give PORTUGAL a higher chance of winning than an overdefensive and very well organized team, even if weaker. This is the story of our lives…

FORCA PORTUGAL!!! Finishing 32nd or 1st, at least 10 million are with you!!!

By: DT

DT — Thu, 18 May 2006 10:19:39 +0000

Beto, I recommend you not to bet against Germany. No matter how weak they look like on paper or even on the field, they will still win their matches.

Germany is a team that normally get favorable results, even though they’re playing badly.

Iran over Mexico and Portugal to win the whole thing are possible.

USA don’t play Argentina. Not until at least semi final, if both teams manage to get there.

By: John

John — Thu, 18 May 2006 08:11:43 +0000

and to think S&M are better than Argentina.. you have a serious lack of knowledge about football, isuggest you shudup thanks.

By: John

John — Thu, 18 May 2006 08:10:05 +0000

Owen.. I totally disagree with ur ridiculous bullcrap comment. Howcan you say the ref was favouring barca. did you watch the first half? every foul was put on Arsenal! and goal disallowed for barca, and he gave a free kick to eboue when he shoukld have got a yellow for that dive which turned into a goal.. sorry but Arsenal donts deserve that win, and that’s why barca won.

By: Ade Lamidi

Ade Lamidi — Thu, 18 May 2006 06:15:03 +0000

An interesting final and I will give Arsenal the credit for holding might Barcelona for 76 minutes. But I guessed it wasn’t going to be Arsenal’s night when Lehman was sent off.It was the right decision though. Barcelona can hit you anytime time in the game as Arsenal 10 men found out. Good luck to Arsenal next season.

By: pinaki de

pinaki de — Thu, 18 May 2006 03:31:06 +0000

ronaldinho a great show off but very little to show. too much twisting and turning for no effect at all. like christano ronaldo. well those two will vie for show off award. henry was rocking but not precise in front of the goal. it is a shame that eto will not play this world cup he was the best on show yesterday. also mightily impressed with eboue for his diving skills. ha! but the man who proved me wrong was lungburg. he has come back well and was the fastest player on pitch. he will be a handful in WC

By: owen

owen — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:24:55 +0000

well – I agree that he got the sending off right – just a shame he blew so fast. But he got a LOT else wrong – two of the three goals (not a free kick to Arsenal and offside for Barcelona’s first), a yellow card to Henry that should have been given against the defender. Several other dives and a lot of serious hacks that were never called. It wasn’t all one way, but it was more in Barca’s favor than not – mostly just really bad officiating.

Ronaldinho was nothing special today – Larsen at 34 played noticably better. Hope he’s better at the WC.

Probably a fair result overall – clearly we got the right two teams in the CL final at least. Big question now – who are the right two teams at the WC final.

Oh yes, those bets – take S&M over Argentina – S&M are very underrated.