Serbia & Montenegro's 6-0 suffering in the hands of the mighty Argentines has scared the hell out of British fans, and for a pretty good reason. If England fails to win their group and comes second to Sweden (which seems unlikely), sans any upset they will meet their nemesis in the quarter-final. Otherwise England and Argentina square off only in the finals.
Speculations aside, can anyone explain to me the 6-0 massacre? I know, I know, Argentina is one of the favorites to win the cup. But if you are paying attention to the bookies and anyone who keeps track of the football world, they are no more of a favorite than Germany and England . Besides, Serbia & Montenegro is a pretty good side and they qualified from the European region, arguably the toughest region to qualify from. So what went wrong?
Short of any plausible explanation, I think it is only appropriate to invoke Darko Milicic who hails from Serbia into the equation — and once you have the Darko variable, there is something concrete to toy with. Was he there to inspire Serbia & Montenegro and did his inspirational speech rub off onto the team like his footwork in the post? Did he ever come in close contact to transmit his skills to his home team? Or was he the one to suggest using Chad Ford's scouting report on Argentina? You see, when dealing with a 6-0 drubbing, anything is possible.
In Kaiserslautern US plays Italy today in a likely "win or go home" date. If the Yanks lose, realistically they will be flying home unless they like to stay back, enjoy more of the German hospitality and take notes. Since only a handful things went right for them in their previous encounter against the Czech Republic, like successfully keeping their losing record versus the European teams on European soil intact, they can now only hope that their worst is a thing of the past.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
It's always an accomplishment to not lose in the World Cup to a team whose country is SHAPED LIKE A GODDAMN FOOT.
2 - Q Bit
Suss:
:-)
US played very well and deservedly own at least a point from the match. When I was watching the game, I thought the Uruguyan referee ruined it for them, but after going through the replays again and again, I am now convinced that the red card on Pablo was the right thing to do. Pablo's two-footed, spikes up plunge was absolutely needless.
By the way US has never won against the FOOT. This is their third draw in eight meetings (all inclusive).
3 - RJ Elliott
Can the US beat Ghana? Of course.
Can Italy beat the Czech Republic? Of course.
Can the US advance out of their group, to face Brazil in the next phase? Of course.
Can the US beat Brazil? ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE???
4 - Q Bit
RJ:
Can the US beat Ghana? - have you checked the odds? Ghana manhandled Czechs 2-0, who screwed US 3-0.
US has played a much better game since then but if you think an US win will come easy, I'm sorry to differ.
Again, Italy beating the Czechs won't be easy either. I think it will end in a draw.
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'll tell Team USA to throw the game if Ghana, in return, agrees to keep Brangelina.
6 - Q Bit
There is always Canada for Brangelina.