Day Two (Saturday, June 10)
England-Paraguay (7 a.m.): My buddy Jon called at 6:45 to wake me up so that I could watch his England team and appreciate the hype. I kept sleeping. Well, I found out later that I didn't miss much. By the way, England won 1-0 and they were terrible (as the reports say).
Sweden-Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad is famous for its legendary cricketers like Brian Lara, Learie Constantine, and spin wizard Sony Ramadhin. Turns out that they are in the World Cup too, not a small feat for an island nation (actually two major islands and 21 smaller islets) with a total population of about one million. Sweden was supposed to win this one without breaking a sweat, which didn't happen even though the islanders were reduced to only 10 men in the second half. The Swedes were relentless in their attack but couldn't buy a goal. T&T created history holding on to a gritty 0-0 draw.
Argentina-Ivory Coast: This was the best game in the tournament so far. Argentina won 2-1 and should consider themselves lucky to get away with the win. They did play well, their passing game was more assured, and by and large they controlled the midfield. The Ivorians, on the other hand, were a big surprise to everyone as they matched their famous opposition in almost every department of the game with a show of sparkling skills in attack offering everything the Argentine defense could handle. If only they could convert a fraction of the chances they created in the box, the cheerful face of Diego Maradona, the Argentine football legend in the stands, might have turned into a solemn one.
Argentina and Ivory Coast are in Group C which — with Holland and Serbia Montenegro rounding out the group — has already been dubbed as the "group of death." If the Ivorians scared anyone by their game today, that would be the Dutch. Watch out, Ivory Coast is the real deal. And yeah, they speak French.
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Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I need to get used to the game ending whenever the ref feels like it. Watching the tail end of Ivory Coast/Argentina, I thought the Cote was gonna take one last stab at a goal, but before they got cross midfield the whistle blew.
2 - Q Bit
It's not really whenever the ref feels like it; he ends the game when the time is up (45+stoppage) mins.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
But nobody really knows how long the stoppage is.
4 - Q Bit
A FIFA official keeps track of the stoppage time; usually a min (or less) before the allotted 45 mins in the second half is over, he/she shows an electronic board displaying the stoppage time to be added to the playing time.
Now the system is more reasonable. It used to be the referee himself kept track of the stoppage time (among his other duties), and invariably generating controversies.
5 - RJ Elliott
Group C is the "group of death" but Group E is the runner-up!
6 - Q Bit
Yes RJ, Group E is pretty tough too and US didn't help themselves losing to Czech Republic (2-0).
7 - Douglas Mays
The tournament started off great with the Germany-Costa Rica match. That first German goal from about 25 yards out driving with a curve to the upper right corner of the net, kissing the post! Oh man, I have orgasms to shots like that! I have dreams of goals like that.
One girlfriend of mine said she thought I was talking about girls after hearing me talk about that goal.
Girls/Futbol? One has to take a back seat to the other at times.
The USA looked flat today. We'll see if they can do anything in their tough group....
douglas
8 - Douglas Mays
Sussman, your comments on the game are interesting in terms of when the game ends and all. That is the beauty of it. The clock runs continuously, not stopping for anything. the wasted time (injury, out of bounds balls taking time to get into play, etc.) is kept track of and added as regulation time runs out. The ball is not out of bounds (or a goal) until the entire ball crosses the entire line. And other rules that are not polluted with all sorts of technicalities are part of the game. Penalties are based on playing the man, not the ball. Well, offsides and making body contact with your elbows out (instead of shoulder to shoulder) might be considered a technicality.
Anyway, it is a very pure sport in the manner it is played and ruled. Maybe one reason it is the 'worlds game'.
I am hardcore into it.
best,
douglas
9 - RJ Elliott
"Yes RJ, Group E is pretty tough too and US didn't help themselves losing to Czech Republic (2-0)."
Sadly, it was 3-0, not 2-0... :-(
10 - Douglas Mays
Today (6/14/06), the classic Germany vs. Poland match. We are talking WWII as far as history goes. Two tough strong teams. They battle to a draw in an evenly played match. THEN, with just a few minutes remaining, Germany puts one in the back of the net. 1-0, Germany over Poland. A very attractive match to watch. Not boring at all. Well played by both sides.
You know how some soccer naysayers like to joke about low scores then saying 'you wonder why it isn't popular here in the states!' What a moronic statement that holds no water. Baseball? How many 1-0, 0-0 game have you seen?
USA vs. Italy on Sat. The USA is not out of it. They do have the ability to win that one. 3-0 is not a 'drubbing' in reference to the USA loss.
peaceloveguidance
11 - Q Bit
DM:
It was a must win game for the Pols but the Germans mostly outplayed them; with luck on their side, the margin should have been 3-0. The Pols had their chances though.
I don't think US would win against Italy. They should consider themselves lucky if they can escape with a draw.
12 - Douglas Mays
Q Bit, yeah, very true. I was just being optimistic regarding the USA chances. If Italy is prepared and on their game, they are unbeatable. We could see a drubbing or an upset. The beauty of high level competition.
best,
douglas
13 - Q Bit
DM:
Upset is highly unlikely. Admittedly Italy is a much better side with better talent, skills and everything else you could think of.
Even if you factor that out, and for argument's sake if we also assume Italy having a bad day, their players are more experienced in handling the odds as they more often play in pressure packed situations.
Strange things have happened in World Cup though. Remember in 2002 Turkey and South Korea were in the semi-finals.
14 - RJ Elliott
"Baseball? How many 1-0, 0-0 game have you seen?"
I've never seen a 0-0 MLB game...