The referees in this world cup really blows. I mean red card on Kaka wtf and the USA game was just messed up.

problem is that the referrees are under a huge amount of pressure and are under a different set of rules for the world cup games as opposed to their normal leagues.

Im so shocked at NZ drawing with ITALY!
Is there anyone that still considers Italy to be favourites? I dont anymore

Alfred, you're looking for hard and fast rules to guide you on this, but I can tell you now don't bother, because there are none. People on here exercise self-control and we collective build a brotherhood of understanding and respect. In this particular thread, most would notice their own posts counts, and would be conscious of it seeming to be like flooding. I hope you see what I'm getting at, bro.

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[ Last edited by  hunter at 21-6-2010 13:41 ]

man that IT-NZ game reminded me of some of the US WC games from back in the 90s.  NZ was totally dominated yet got the one lucky goal.  I don't think the Italy goalkeeper even had to make a save the entire game.

Has France surrendered so easily again?

IMO - World Cup 2010 will be won by a South American Country. With their current form, looks like a Argentina vs Brazil Final, with Paraguay going to (at least) the Quater-Finals. So far in World cup, the Champion is always alternated between these 2 continents. Present Champ is Italy which will soon be dethroned. Italy might not even make it to the 2nd round, like previous Champion France and England. I think the french has already packed their luggages and England will follow suit.

Italy will have rotten tomatoes thrown at them when they return home, the English will have Potatoes on their faces and the French will have both tomatoes and potatoes.

Man, if I were the N Korean team I'd defect right away and ask for political asylum...

edit: Wrath of Kim Part 2 - (Jun 21) N Korea declares war on Portugal, sinks Portuguese ships, bans Portuguese tarts (except the 2-legged ones)...

[ Last edited by  JckJr at 21-6-2010 21:20 ]

Poor N Korea.

Portugal finally got their act together.

Lets see what they're like against Brazil

The kimchis got roasted...lol!!!

Thank you portugal....I win so much today.....
Non-stop betting on Portugal next to score, high and OTHERS...

Excellent passing from Portugal. I guess the North Koreans gave too much in the first half and got tired in the second.

Thumbs Up to the South American Teams, all 5 teams perform very well. Almost 1/3 of the total 16 countries in the 2nd round will be South American.

7-0.  Wow, what a shocker after the Brazil game.  Was serioulsy hoping the North Koreans would sneak this one.

dunno if this has been posted lol

It's good to see the Kiwis doing well (since the Aussies suck). But I doubt they will make it to the finals.    Italy haven't looked much good at all.

I'm also rooting for our Trans-Tasman cousins.  Aus has been disappointing but also unlucky because of some dubious decisions.  When will football get out of the stone ages and start using video referee for possible red card offences?!  A red card has too much impact on the game to leave it up to some short-sighted (biased) twit!  The decisions of refs have been deplorable this year. Not just the Aussies, but also others like Kaka.    Football is a beautiful game, but all the diving and acting makes the game ugly.  Those who do it are nothing more than cheats!!! A disgrace to the beautiful world game!! Italians are the worst offenders.  Enough of my rant.  Go NZ! Go Aus! Down the Poms!!

Diving is part of the reason I don't follow soccer. It's pathetic and detracts from experiencing a game.

Spain finally won a game last night. The win justified Spain quality as the European Champion, however, in the last game come next week, if Spain does not win against the Chilean and if the Swiss win at least 2 goals against Hondurus, ADIOS & Hasta La Vista Espana!

Adieu Les bleus! France, Nigeria, Greece and South Africa will be going home tonite... Well SA not really, they can stay at home and watch football on TV

Well, that's quite a disputed topic you are picking up TD. Modern technical aids for  football. On one hand you have tie purists of the sport that say the sport should be kept as simple as possible to ensure it's played the same way around the world no matter which country or league level, junior or senior. Adding anything to professional level e.g. Chip in the ball that indicates whether the ball has crossed the line, decissions based on replays or whatever you can think of will be impossible to be implemented all over the globe.  Poor countries or minor leagues will still suffer from misjugments (let's say that these are not made on purpose) since they will not have theressources to implement.
On the other hand you might say that for the World's biggest football event they should use the best possible technical aids to ensure high quality and high standards.
The most striking thing to me has been the inconsistancy in the referee's performances. On one hand they show cards for nothing or disallow goals for no reason, while the next referee sees a similar thing much more laissez-faire style.
A good way to get started is to have the best referees of the world. Not necessarily just one from each country. But at least avoid people that have just been nominated because it is the turn of a specific football federation