Caco

You won't need the octopus. Just control Robben and Holland has nothing on you. I really really thought the Dutch were way better. Can't really understand how they have been undefeated in 24 or so matches. Anyway, Spain got the swagger back, and are playing an inferior opponent, I can't see you losing on sunday.

Not gonna happen. Holland seemed a lot better team than the one that faced Uruguay. If they have trouble to beat us, they will fall to Spain. Spain will win the WC after all. If they do, congrats, EnFuego, Spain deserves it.

I agree that Spain has shown character and belief in its game in this WC. Almost every team has played Spain the same way (defending with many men), and Spain has had a hard time to find spaces, but insisted in playing the same way and paid off. I put David Villa as the best scorer of this WC in mi "porras" or "pencas", so I guess I expected him to play like this. He is on fire. All I wanted to make clear is that every team is beatable, and every team has its strenghs and Achilles heels. Spain's I believe are teams that defend with many men and play good at counter attacks. Before the WC, many Spaniards believed they were unbeatable (not saying you did), and every team can be beaten. Good luck against Germany, I truly believe Spain can beat them.

Ok, here go my comments on the quarterfinals. Holland surprised everyone beating Brazil, although I think Brazil defeated themselves. They dominated in the first half, and should have scored at least one more goal. Then the own goal came, and a corner one (those can come at any time, it's not a great merit). Brazil failed at overcoming a difficulty, and lost, but Holland was no better than them. Uruguay defeated Ghana in the most intense match I have ever seen in the WC. I was jumping up and down and shouting as I never have. The happiest day of my "sport life" by far. To those who think Suarez cheated, they don't know what they are talking about. He knew he would be sent off and a penalty would be given. If Gyan wasn't up to the moment, it's not Suarez fault. EVERY freaking player in the world would have done the same, knowing there's a huge chance of losing anyway. Changing the rule would be another discussion, although I wouldn't support that either. The match was pretty even, I think Uruguay dominated the first 30 minutes, and most of the second half. The only moment Ghana was clearly better I think was the end of the first half and the second overtime. The play of the penalty was an invented foul by the ref, who sistematically made the little calls in favor of Ghana. Besides Appiah was in offside when he shot the first time in that play. I could be bashed for this, but I don't share that feeling of pity for the african teams. They were by far the most dirty teams of the tournament. Ivory Coast and Ghana especially made the hardest fouls of the tournament, many times intentionally. Lugano got injured (casual play), so did Lodeiro, who misses the rest of the WC. Fucile got almost unconsious on another play. They are not angels, and I don't feel sorry at all for their elimination. Germany became the WC favourite after destroying England and Argentina. They are very young, and it's scary to think how good they will be the next WC, if they are probably the best right now. Argentina demonstrated that Maradona has no clue of what he is doing. Its defence sucks, and should have put Ag

I'll make my comments when the Paraguay-Spain match is over. I'm so excited (spelling?) right now, It's hard to get any sleep.

quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO:Read this http://soccernet.espn.go.com/w...inals?cc=5901&ver=us Yeah, I saw they changed the ref. I know the Uruguayan Association had something to do with it. I guess I'm out of excuses now. GO URUGUAY!!!

quote: Originally posted by adsm: quote: Originally posted by Caco:Just to keep talking about the WC in this couple of days. I just heard the referee for the Uruguay - Ghana match will be Howard Webb who is ENGLISH. We all know what happened with Larrionda (uruguayan) in the Germany - England match. Add to this that Uruguay's matches are the ones with less attendance and probably less viewers around the world. Add to this that Ghana is the last african team standing, that all South Africa has declared to be behind them, and probably FIFA too. Does it sound suspicious that the referee will be english just after what happened with the uruguayan refs? Even though I don't think it's a conspiracy theory, FIFA could have easily named another ref for this match. I'm a little scared about this, I don't know if I should. I wouldn't worry, Howard Webb is one of the best referees in the game and officiates a lot of the intense, firepit games in the EPL. Also, he has that bald, intimidating Pierluigi Collina look about him (and, after a few weeks in SA, a tan to match!) also, everyone, including the English FA/players/supporters/media all accept Germany outplayed them and probably would have won anyway so I doubt there is any conspiratorial ref choice here to compensate for the failings of Larrionda (which may even be a good thing since Blatter has now hinted they may talk about it at the next meeting - not necessarily that he has any intention of doing something about it, but he may bring it up in casual chat with a few folk at the FIFA watercooler) I hope you are right. First thing I thought when I saw England's goal was: "if we get an english ref we are doomed". And here we are...

quote: Originally posted by VCplusD12: quote: Originally posted by Luca: quote: Originally posted by VCplusD12:I believe he's staying. Our backup striker (Ernesto Farias) is going away, so Falcao will stay. --- Overrated Di Maria signed for Real Madrid for 36 millions!! What about Fabrio Coentrao?He seems really good. Fabio plays for my rival team, but I admit he's pretty good. Now, my club FC Porto has some stars too: Bruno Alves Falcao Hulk Helton Raul Meireles Alvaro Pereira I wouldn't call Alvaro Pereira a star. He is a very good role players who runs a lot . Christian Rodriguez is far better, actually I think Tabarez should have selected him to the WC, even though he was suspended for two matches. I will miss him in the upcoming matches.

Just to keep talking about the WC in this couple of days. I just heard the referee for the Uruguay - Ghana match will be Howard Webb who is ENGLISH. We all know what happened with Larrionda (uruguayan) in the Germany - England match. Add to this that Uruguay's matches are the ones with less attendance and probably less viewers around the world. Add to this that Ghana is the last african team standing, that all South Africa has declared to be behind them, and probably FIFA too. Does it sound suspicious that the referee will be english just after what happened with the uruguayan refs? Even though I don't think it's a conspiracy theory, FIFA could have easily named another ref for this match. I'm a little scared about this, I don't know if I should.

quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO: BTW I give you guys a lot of credit because Uruguay is a pretty small country and you guys have a very good team. Colombia has over 30mil citizens and couldn't make the would cup and you guys just have above 3 mil. Thanks. Even though the population of the countries obviously matter, and so does the football culture, the team's organization is as important as the others. Uruguay has had excellent teams that have done nothing in previous WC. In 1990 we had Francescoli, Ruben Sosa, Alzamendi, Ruben Paz, Fonseca, etc., and only managed to get into the second round with a last second goal by Fonseca vs Korea (when Korea sucked). After that, we've had very good players (Montero, Recoba to name some), but our NT sucked bad. And that's because the group of players wasn't with their heads in doing things right, they didn't get along and forgot the common objective that is winning. This team is probably not the more talented we've had in recent history, but you can see them playing as a team, with a clear objective, with no egos, and that is what makes a winner. I think Colombia has lost that. They don't have the talent right now either, but have always had good players. You could see in the qualys the environment beetween players was not good, and that reflects in the field. You get that right, and you'll be back in the WC.

About the love Brazil gets. They have had the best teams in history. They are the ones with 5 WC. Other than that, I too believe people likes them too much, as I said before, in South America (especially Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), we are not that afraid of them, and instead of worshipping them, we want to beat them badly. About Argentina. I really like the players that are in the team right now except for Heinze and Demichelis. Messi is so good, and very humble given how well he plays. So is Tevez, Ver

quote: Originally posted by ManuGinobili: quote: Uruguay has a very limited game, but usually plays better as the opposition gets stronger. That's why I think Uruguay would do a better match against Brazil or Netherlands Without a doubt Uruguay would fare better against Brazil or Holland than Ghana. Plus, they have this mean attitude going on, commanded by Lugano, that probably would lead to Robinho or Van Persie being more afraid to go through that D. They wont want to risk a potential injury, so they will just shoot from outside, or beat them in speed. Anyone that actually watches that team knows that, as I stated previously, they can lose to anyone but also beat anyone. That is what makes them so dangerous. Forlan is a top 5 player in the world. Suarez, Lugano, Godin (unfortunate injury) and their defensive game is pretty solid too. If only they could have just 1 difference maker in the midfield. That is by far their biggest weakness. Not any of the 4 guys would be a starter/bench in the other semifinals team. I see Uruguay beating Ghana. South American Futbol is again showing how much power it has. Caco, one question though: What happened with Martin Caceres? Caceres has had a persistant injury in the abs area that kept him away from the field for most of the end of the season with Juventus. Now he is ok, but with little playing time in a long time, Tabarez will not risk to use him. Uruguay only has good (not great) defensive midfielders, and not a single one with a great offensive game. We defend with seven men, and attack with three or four (when Fucile or Pereira get lose). The thing is, two of those are Forl

quote: Originally posted by KingBeaterD12: quote: Originally posted by Caco: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by adsm: quote: Originally posted by Debonair:Hope Ghana beats Uruguay on Friday. I wanna see me African brothers do well. I have no connection to ghana but sincerely hope they win - better for the tournament, and suarez (and others) fall over far too much - I think the sniper that has been shooting ronaldo mid-canter for the last few years has taken to a new target Uruguay! It's good to see the old power come back after nearly 60 years. They won't get past Brazil/Holland, but I want them to beath Ghana. GO URUGUAY!!!! If you want to see a semi at least interesting, you have to root for Uruguay. Ghana has nothing on Brazil or Netherlands, while Uruguay is one of the few teams in the world that is not scared of playing Brazil. We would lose, but make it a good match. Spain will beat Portugal convincingly today, mark my words. Ronaldo is a great player, but is waaaaay overrated. Spain was overrated too (we can have this discussion again EnFuego), but the Swiss woke you up early in the tournament and you will be more focused now. I disagree that uruguay are the only team that will give brazil or the Dutch a game out of Uruguay/Ghana. Ghana are fighting for a continent, and never gave up against USA even though they were clearly second best. And to be fair, Uruguay beat South Korea, who no offense to them, are not better than USA. Ghana have improved as the tournament has gone on, and I wouldnt be too surprised if they can beat uruguay. Also agree that suarez goes down far to easily. (Example: penalty for uruguay against South Africa) Ghana can beat Uruguay, no doubt. But they wouldn't be a rival to Brazil or Netherlands. And I don't buy the "fighting for Africa" argument. If that were true, then Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, etc., should have done much much better than they did. It actually surprised me how bad they were. I believe african teams lack the mental toughness to be competitors against the best teams, and in the last stages of a tournament. Uruguay has a very limited game, but usually plays better as the opposition gets stronger. That's why I think Uruguay would do a better match against Brazil or Netherlands. Oh, and I'm from Uruguay .

quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by adsm: quote: Originally posted by Debonair:Hope Ghana beats Uruguay on Friday. I wanna see me African brothers do well. I have no connection to ghana but sincerely hope they win - better for the tournament, and suarez (and others) fall over far too much - I think the sniper that has been shooting ronaldo mid-canter for the last few years has taken to a new target Uruguay! It's good to see the old power come back after nearly 60 years. They won't get past Brazil/Holland, but I want them to beath Ghana. GO URUGUAY!!!! If you want to see a semi at least interesting, you have to root for Uruguay. Ghana has nothing on Brazil or Netherlands, while Uruguay is one of the few teams in the world that is not scared of playing Brazil. We would lose, but make it a good match. Spain will beat Portugal convincingly today, mark my words. Ronaldo is a great player, but is waaaaay overrated. Spain was overrated too (we can have this discussion again EnFuego), but the Swiss woke you up early in the tournament and you will be more focused now.

Come on you USA fans, you have to root for the underdog, root for Uruguay!!!! LOL. I know we don't play the best football in the world but you've got to recognize our effort, being 3.5 million people, and getting to this stage of the WC. Argentina's defence sucks pretty bad. Germany's is a little better, but not that much. I think Argentina will beat Germany given they have a better attack, but it won't be easy and should be a great match. Germany - England was by far the best match of this WC, and should have been even better if my countrymen (refs) did their jobs right (sorry about that fellow english fans).