We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
This is what it's all about, eh lads? The knock-out rounds. Win or go home. It all starts here today. The Group A dark-horses play South Korea this morning. But who are we kidding - all eyes will be focused on the late show experts USA taking on Ghana. It's time for a bit of revenge for the travesty of 2006. Come on!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:13 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
426 Comments:
I'm off to my morning pick-up game. My play will be particularly inspired today. It's fair to say that this is the first time I'll imagine myself Landon Donovan as I run at the defenders!
Hello Everybody . Sorry I haven't been around this week but I have been really busy and haven't even switched on my computer all week . And no Bob I wasn't hiding because of Italy's early exit . I was disappointed but didn't really expect that much from this team . Lets hope for some decent games after the rubbish served up by the "Mighty Brazil and Portugal" At least Italy's game was exciting .
Morning, lads!
Tony, I hope you're right. The knock-out rounds usually serve up the goods early on, so I'm really looking forward to today's matches.
The sides are in for this morning's Round of 16 kick-off:
South Korea: 18-Jung Sung-ryong; 22-Cha Du-ri, 12-Lee Young-pyo, 4-Cho Yong-hyung, 14-Lee Jung-soo, 8-Kim Jung-woo, 16-Ki Sung-yong, 13-Kim Jae-sung, 7-Park Ji-sung, 17-Lee Chung-yong, 10-Park Chu-young.
Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 3-Diego Godin, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 11-Alvaro Pereira, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.
The ESPN coverage has started with Bob Ley and Stevie Mac in the studio.
Good morning fellas
A good day ahead of us
Tony made the same point in an email, as Bob did during the Italy match, why didn't Italy play the way they did after they were two down... the whole match!
I will be thinking of John "Landycakes" Menditto this morning... Good Luck
I may play my first game of the season Monday night
Out come the teams
The Prime Minster and German Chancellor to watch the match together tomorrow
Start of Uruguay national anthem, Himno Nacional (in Spanish):
"Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba!!
Libertad o con gloria morir!
Es el voto que el alma pronuncia,
Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir!
Are you impressed... I copied and pasted
Does anyone know what this means?
Tumba?
Heriocos... heroic
Morning, Dave!
Did you see that Fabio has a choice on his hands
All four possible partners for John Terry are fit
Who will he pick?
Anyone but Carradona in my book
I don't think he will pick Dawson
King or Upson
I guess it will have to be Upson because according to Bob... the letter K has been dangerous
Morning Bob
Will this be a good game?
Uruguay get us underway.
We're off
I hope so, mate!
Struth.. they let Park run there... last touch let the Red Devil down
Free kick chance for the Koreans
We have had a few good shots from the Japanese but the best deliverer of a cross has been our John Meditto wantabe
Early free kick for the Koreans...
Oof - off the outside of the post!
oooh, off the post!!
Great shot... he should take our free kicks at OT
I can shoot with both feet!!
So can my sons
Nice passing by the Koreans but the final pass is missing
GOAL! Oh dear - another howler from a keeper and Suarez comes in at the back.
1-0 Uruguay!
GOAL!!!!!
Suarez with a cool finish at the back post. Not as easy as it looked
Forlan created it!
I hope Uruguay don't sit back
That should open the match up. Good start!
I like how Uruguay are attacking
They had to beat Costa Rica in a play off to get in... right?
Again, Forlan to take the free kick... why isn't he in the box?
Yeah - that's true. They have been very good.
What did Korea do in the last world cup?
Not sure - I'll look it up.
Good old Fergie... calling Park and wish him good luck
Hey Bob,
take a look at this website
There are short clips of Steve Nash at the world cup
Take a look at the clip of Nash meets Blatter
http://www.youtube.com/cbssports?ttag=SN10_on_all_cspt_na_iab_0001
A lot of the clips are good but that one makes me laugh
That wasn't offside!!
I agree - I thought he had been called for a foul.
South Korea are dicing with death pushing up so high on Suarez and Forlan. They were off to the races there.
Cor - that was just wide! Close call for Korea.
Have you looked at those clips... a lot of them are pretty funny.
I like Steve Nash now even though he is a Spurs fan
Here's what Wikipedia says about South Korea in Deutschland 06:
"During the 2006 World Cup, South Korea achieved their first World Cup victory outside Asia by beating Togo 2-1. They then drew 1-1 against France, but lost 2-0 to Switzerland in a controversial match, which knocked them out of the tournament."
Danka
I've have a peek at half time, eh?
Park Chu Young nearly in on that cross.
Make sure you do... I think you'll appreciate them
They are only 30 secs long
Kim Jung-woo is the first player to go into the referee's book. I'm assuming that, as in previously WCs, the first round yellows were wiped off yesterday. We start with a fresh slate today.
Uruguay allowing Korean possession and just trying to hit them on the break with their front three.
Korea are tying some pops from outside!
That was nearly in - the keeper didn't have it covered!
Uruguay asking for a pen!
Perreira claiming a handball. Ref waves on.
Free kick chance for Korea now
Wasted
Another free kick chance here. They seem to have the range. The Asians have hit the best free kicks to date.
That should have been a pen
Nearly half-time now.....
I agree. Uruguay are good value for their half-time 1-0 lead.
It IS half time
The South Americans keep rolling in the competition
I am glad to hear this
FIFA has changed its rules on suspensions to help avoid big-name absentees for the World Cup final.
Players currently receive a one-match ban as a result of picking up yellow cards in separate games, and that has seen the likes of Germany's Michael Ballack miss out on a place in the final.
As a result, FIFA has now said players taking part in the semi-finals will only be at risk of suspension for the final if they are sent off.
"Fifa simply said we want to give the best players a chance to play in the final," spokesman Marius Schneider said. "The discussion first came up when Ballack was ruled out [for the 2002 final]."
really interesting clips. Of course I don't know anything about Steve Nash. British parents? Born in Canada? Anyway, cheers.
And for your viewing pleasure, check out this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqv4Vviod0c
The lesson here is - don't blow a vuvu at Shadow!
I like that FIFA ruling too. Well in.
Second half starting up now...
Uruguay have picked up where they left off. Good interplay up front.
Has a team every gone through the whole tournament without conceding a goal?
I reckon that the U.S. would probably rather face South Korea than Uruguay, who might be able to out-muscle the Americans.
I think Nash was born in SA
Plays basketball of the Suns!
He's short, He's round, he bounces on the ground
Seppy Blatts
Bit more Korean pressure now...
Did Blatter ever play footie professionally?
I would doubt it about the goals
oooh, should have kept it down!
This pitch is as bad as Wembley
Are there any more games here?
Park Chu Young Jabulanis one over there. I think with this ball the strategy of passing into in like Iniesta did yesterday is the way to go. Hitting it with the instep is always going to be a low percentage one. I don't remember many hard shots even hitting the target this time.
Is this the one that England played Slovenia on? It is bad - Stevie G. was really bitching about it post-match.
Just looked it up
A possible Brazil Holland Quarter would be here and the 3rd/4th place playoff as well
Korea go close but the bloke took too long to get his shot off
Uruguay are sitting back a little
I've just looked it up - it is the same stadium. The US are in Rustenberg again tonight - the site of the opener with England. England are in the Free State Stadium
I think there was a match early on with Italy where it rained the whole game. Really cut up that night.
I watched a brilliant new documentary called "One Night in Turin" about Italia 1990 last night. Of course I switched it off when it got to the pens vs. Germany. Don't need to see that again.
Ivory Coast Portugal was here
It rained for that one, didn't it
Apparently Steve Nash's brother Martin plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps and has been capped by Canada. FYI....
Can anyone score against Uruguay? That's got to be the question asked.
I did know that his bro played.
Did you watch more of the clips?
Some are stupid but some are my sense of humor
Blowing the vuva in the bar
I watched the township one and the Blatter one.
Did you watch my Dog vs. Vuvu one? Good for a laugh.
Uh - didn't the Lakers win this year? Robbie Mustoe gets it all wrong with the basketball references.
Those vuvas can scare the sh... out of you!!
Apparently there are tons of YouTube vids with people torturing their animals with vuvus. Good on that dog for getting some revenge.
Yes they did
But his point is that defensive play should be embraced not scorned
IT'S THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOUTH KOREA HAVE TIED IT UP
GOAL! Korea have finally penetrated that Uruguayan defense. Lee Chung Young nods home from near in. He learned that trick at Bolton.
1-1!
Keeper should never gone for it
Bolton open up their account at the WC
United have only scored one, I think
Park
Twenty minutes now for both sides to win it or we'll go to extra time.
Cha du Ri becomes the second Korean to go into the book today.
Struth... that was a little close by the keeper
Korea go down and the bloke should have done better
Oh - that was a bit casual from the Korean keeper. Took the free kick in his arms while standing behind the line.
And now a shot for the Koreans. It's end to end now.
Koreans spring the break here but it comes to nothing.
Suarez whips in a shot
Was he trying to cross
ooh, Suarez was onside!
Two good calls by the linesman
Forlan with a chance... that's how he played for United
It's bucketing down!
11 to go
Did all the fans leave because of the rain?
WHAT A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUAREZ WITH HIS SECOND!!
GOAL! Suarez again. And surely he's won it now for Uruguay! His third of the tournament! What a goal!
2-1!
Don't call me Shirley
Suarez is coming off now. He's earned his corn.
Did you know that my spelling of Suarez is a little different then most people
I spell Suarez R o o n e y a n d T o r r e z
Sorry.
Nice try, but I don't think so.
It is still pronounced Suarez
Five goals now for the Suarez and Forlan strike partnership - definitely the best in the tournament.
Boy, you are strict!
Struth!!
Ball almost does a Green
Oh - the Koreans should have equalized! Keeper did well and it squirmed toward goal. Lugano cleared it.
Face it - you're still on relegation form.
Striker should have done better
Another good call by the linesman
I have been impressed with the line calls this tournament except for the US/ Algeria game
I think I had France going through in this original tie, so I've lost a quarterfinal team here, as did everyone else. No one picked Uruguay for this slot.
3 added minutes
Adrian and Robbie have already given this one up and are starting to preview the US v. Ghana. Not so fast, gents. We've had a lot of late goals in this tournament.
Korea need to go Route 1 now.
One last chance
Was that a foul?
They didn't go into the corner like England did
It is over
Uruguay are in the Quarter Finals
That's it - Uruguay are the first side into the quarter-finals. Wow! I didn't expect that. Plucky South Korea are out. They were good but just couldn't keep Suarez out.
I am off to the Starks to watch the USA match. I hope to use one of their lap tops to blog along
Dick is really getting into this. He is texting me about scores. He wants to kick the ball around this afternoon!!!
Talk to you soon
UWS
Hi Guys . Sorry I didn't join in . I was just lounging about watching and occasionally reading the comments . Bob , I spell Suarez with a T . I know it looks a bit like Torres but it isn't .
I agree with you Tony
Nice try, Chelskilad. Your just above the relegation zone but at least doing better than your brother.
Unfortunately, the news this morning is that El Nino may not be back during this tournament. Sorry, mate.
News out of the German camp is that Cacau has an abdominal strain and will not be available. I don't think he would have started tomorrow given that Klose will be back, but he might have featured as a second half sub. I'm taking crumbs of good news, in other words.
I am at Dick's house ready for the game. I drove here proudly with my England window flag waving! Sebastian Shweinsteiger is probaly out of the team
18:40 Commentary USA v Ghana line-ups:
United States: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 15-Jay DeMerit, 12-Jonathan Bornstein, 3-Carlos Bocanegra; 10-Landon Donovan, 4-Michael Bradley, 13-Ricardo Clark, 8-Clint Dempsey; 17-Jozy Altidore, 20-Robbie Findley.
Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 8-Jonathan Mensah, 5-John Mensah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 13-Dede Ayew; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Hey, Dave - I'm back for the match. Have fun at Dick's and say hi to everyone.
Interesting line-up for the US - they're going for it with a 4-4-2. I wasn't sure that Bradley would start with Findley. Robbie hasn't been that good in the tournament.
Dick wants me to remind you that the USA won Group C
Thanks, Dick. I think I remembered that!
That's good news about the Pig Sticker. He's been the key holding midfielder for Germany. I'm feeling reasonably confident about tomorrow morning.
Hello Blue Devil and UWS. I am back in Texas just in time to watch the U.S. vs Ghana. I just walked in the house.
Wow - welcome back, MUR! Fantastic to have you on board for this one. I'm on pins and needles.
Gooner has joined some fellow Sammers at a beer garden in D.C. for this match. I know he'll want me to say:
Go on, you Yanks!
Terrific build-up on ABC there. The teams are now in the tunnel. Ian Darke and John Harkes on the microphone for the match today.
Bubba's in the house again tonight. Great scenes of him partying with the U.S. squad after the Algeria win.
Thank you Blue Devil.I am on pins and needles as well. Even though Gooner is not on LOB, he is at an excellent location. COME ON USA!!!
Tomorrow morning I will root for England and will be on pins and needles as well.
Hello MUR and Gooner
COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!
There's the assumption that SA fans in the crowd will be pulling for Ghana as the last African representative in the tournament.
It seems as if the U.S. made two changes. I am not so sure about dropping Hercules Gomez. He had a good game against Algeria.
The teams have kicked off.
And we're off!
Given that Ghana have only scored from penalties, I hope that the U.S. back four is extra careful with the tackles in the box.
One encouraging fact is that Ghana have not scored from open play in this tournament.
Donovan had an early chance getting sprung on the right. His ball in was to no one. Jozy might have attacked the near post.
I agree. The keys to this match are for the U.S. not to concede early, not give away any penalties, and to score late.
I agree with you, MUR. I haven't been impressed by Ghana's front line, particularly Asamoah. Gyan can strike a penalty though.
If we can restrict Ghana to the kind of shots that Inkoom took there, we'll be doing well.
Nice strike from Dempsey. Held by Kingson.
BUGGGGERRRRR!
Kevin Prince Boateng is allowed to run and run and hits one inside Timmy's left post.
1-0 Ghana!
GOAL 1-0!!! Ghana as Kevin Prince Boateng scores off a turnover from Ricardo Clark at midfield just moments after Clint Dempsey tests Richard Kingson.
I'm not sure you can blame Timmy for that one. He was completely exposed. The U.S. has conceded early again.
And now Clark has gone into the book. Very early for that. Not a good start here.
Now Ricardo Clark picks up a yellow. Tim Howard is uncharacteristically beaten at his near post. Ghana's first goal from open play.
The U.S. must test Kingson. He seems to be a suspect keeper.
Harkes and Darke writing the obituaries a bit too early IMHO.
I agree - I'd like to see some crosses come over for Jozy to attack.
Another chance for Ghana as Kevin Prince Boateng shoots over from just outside the penalty area.
Clinton and Jagger together in the stands. That looks like a big night out in Rustenberg to come.
Jozy shoots wide.
Dick had the audacity to use his computer... not a good start!
I do agree with Harkesy there - the US midfield is giving up far too much possession.
What's the mood like at Dick's? Depressed? I think it's still early doors.
It sound like someone is having a good time in Rustenburg. I saw Clinton sitting next to Blatter when the U.S. played Algeria.
I feel that the wings have been wide open for Ghana
That was better. Landy gets onto the ball and tries to feed Jozy.
I'll bet that Mick is a better wing man than Sepp Blatter.
That was better from the U.S. as Ghana defended desperately. Landy needs to be more involved.
Absolutely. Blatter is a party pooper and a downer.
Oh - nearly a suicidal header back from Jonathan. Findley nearly onto it.
I thought I that back header was going to be dangerous
Free kick to Ghana as Cherudulo loses possession and is booked for a foul just outside the penalty area.
Ian Darke says that he will miss the next match for a second yellow
Uh oh - Cherundolo is into the book. Now, Ian Darke is repeating the idea that Cherundolo will miss the quarters for picking up a second yellow. IS THAT TRUE? Have FIFA changed their policy on this?
Howard punches Gyan's free kick away. Better from Howard.
I thought the players started with a clean slate in the round of sixteen.
Maybe they have changed it like the did for the rule I posted before
Jozy is crowded out there and Ghana spring another attack. No wide outlets for Jozy there.
I thought so too, MUR. That's how they've done it in previous tournaments. I don't know how you expect to have defenders and defensive mids have a completely clean slate through five or six really intense matches.
Cherudulo is fouled by Boateng.
Cherundolo picks up a free kick for the US out wide left.
Landy takes...and it's cleared out.
Oh - Bradley got free at the by-line but his ball only sought out the keeper Kingson.
Landy's free kick is cleared, then Dempsey passes to Bradley who crosses. Kingson fumbles a routine pass.
I think the Ghanaian back four is really sloppy and suspect. If the US attackers can get into them, they might get some joy.
Good clearance by Michael Bradley there. but Bornstein looked sluggish.
Corner to Ghana as Bradley heads clear for a corner.
Howard gathers the corner. The break by Ghana began with a poor touch by Bornstein.
US back four is nearly found out again. Kevin Prince Boateng is causing all sorts of problems with late runs. They're not picking him up.
That was a chance for Ghana as Boateng was tackled, but the resulting cross was poor.
Looks like an early change about to be made. Edu for Clark probably.
I havent found anything about the card situation
Any of you?
Edu is warming up. Will he replace the ineffective Ricardo Clark?
I have not discovered anything about the card rule. I can research at halftime.
Spot on!!! Edu replaces Clark.
Clarke is off because of the card and being useless
Sad for Ricardo Clark, but he wasn't up to the pace of the match somehow. Annan and Boateng have been running riot.
The strikers are not pressing for the US
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