World Cup Preview!!Follow

Interesting WC so far.

Germany are looking promising. Vulnerable at the back, but making 4 cracking goals without Ballack is worth a thumb up.

Englang really disappointed me. Of course the heat played a role, but it was kick and rush football for me. Gerrard invisible. Crouch did well, as did Joe Cole. Terry looked surprisingly nervous.

Argentina - Ivory Coast didn't really make me feel better about Holland's chances to go through. IC as a team isn't stunning, but the do sport a lot of individual class. Argentina are lethal, but please, can someone explain me why those Africans let Riquelme do his thing for 90 minutes? Unbelievable.

15 mins to go until Holland kick off. God, I'm nervous. And working, meh.

Oh, and way to go Trinidad =) Keeping Sweden at 0-0 is a stunning performance.

ROBBEN!!!!! F'UCK YES!!!!

Great result!

I thought England were pretty poor, but still one of the better starts to a tournament for us - we rarely get 3 points in the first game for some reason. We need Rooney back on the pitch ASAP if we are to challenge past the Quarters.

Sven starting to look very stupid in not taking Defoe/Bent in the squad.

Missed the Holland game Goal, having to spend quality time with the girlfriend this weekend. Must be nice to get a win, S&M are no pushovers - they were very good in qualifying (came above Spain, and only conceded one!)

The Mexican team looked impressive against an overmatched Iran this morning. They still haven't fixed their problems in the air on defense however.

I can't wait to watch the US game tomorrow. It could be the most interesting first match of the tournament.

I'm hoping for a 2-2 draw.

I figure it will be similar to 2002 with a strong start and then trying to hold on to the lead with everything they have. Usually when the US trys to hold on it produces a nailbiter.

I'll be honest, I haven't seen much of the Czech team in the last few months. But the US has never fielded a better team than they are fielding this year (that might not be saying much). They are incredibly fast on the wings and down the middle where some broadcasters believe lies the Czechs only flaw (being slow at the back).

Unfortunately I will be at work for the game, I will be TiVoing the game and we're gonig to have a huge party for the game.

EDIT - About the Mexico game.

Mexico was really tenative in the first half for some reason. If they would have played like they did in the second half I believe the game would have been 4-1 easy. They are really going to have problems when they find a team that can actually run a set piece.

Edited, Jun 11th 2006 at 4:03pm EST by baelnic

christ, why does portugal have to make everything so difficult? they couldve had 4 in the first 20 minutes, then they disappear for the rest of the game.

sometimes i just want to shake ronaldo, like a parent shakes their 10 year old when he doesnt understand how dumb he's being

Oh, Rafael Marques played brilliantly last night.

Oh # 2: What the hell was Schwarzer doing when the **** got the 1-0 lead....

Portugal owned the field in the game vs Angola. Every time Angola touched the ball it seemed the whistle was blown. I'd say it was a good performance all around by Portugal even though they could have finished a few more of those attempts.

Did you catch the Netherlands game? The boys in orange put on a pretty good show too. Some good attempts, and that break-away goal was well executed. What say ye dutchman?

Unlucky poo.

Pfft. He isn't even considered the best goalkeeper in the Premiership. Cech is widely considered to be better.

Czech Rep giving the USA a good kicking, and making a good mockery of the FIFA worl rankings in the process.

Heh, says who? Cech is the goalkeeper of the vastly superior squad. No wonder he concedes less goals.

I would gladly put them head-to-head in a reaction test. Apart from that, Van der Sar is a genius as a footballing goalkeeper and vastly superior to Cech, who is strictly a line goalie.

Wonder if you would argue that Cech is as good at passing as Van der Sar is, who produces fabulous passing with both legs and can swing a ball as far as your average gorilla would. With noticeable better accuracy.

Czechs were absolutely thrilling. Rosicky played like Bergkamp in his better days. What a performance. He and Nedved can cause havoc against all teams with someone like Galasek playing as defending midfielder. Great game for a great, sympathetic player.

No disgrace for team USA to lose this one. In this form, I doubt Italy can beat them. Too bad Koller looks to be severely injured again, and the 4 yellow cards in a match that was pretty sportsman-like in my opinion. Refs are doing a great jobs so far, but it would be nice if they showed a little less cards.