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!
After a round and a half of group games, I clearly have to conclude that I know nothing about world football and should stop trying to make predictions about any games. We're cleaning up Group D and moving on to Group E starting with Holland v. Japan - to teams who started with wins - early this morning. I'll look forward to your comments here.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:02 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!
303 Comments:
The teams are already in for the match and both side's are unchanged from the opening game. The biggest surprise, though, must be Bert van Marwick's decision to leave Arjen Robben on the bench, whilst Rafael van der Vaart again keeps his place despite a good showing from Eljero Elia against Denmark when he came in on the second-half.
Good Morning Bob
I am here for the first match and then I am off to the boys soccer tournament.
I am still seething about yesterday!!
Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, Van Bommel, De Jong, Van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Persie
Japan: Kawashima, Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Komano, Hasebe, Matsui, Abe, Endo, Okubo, Honda
From The Sun
Never in the field of World Cup conflict has so little been offered by so few to so many (with apologies to Winston Churchill)
Morning, Dave! I'm still on a slow boil as well. Fortunately, I had a nice dinner afterward with friends, so that took the edge off. But when I saw that clip of Roon, steam starting coming out of my ears again. Bloody hell!
Holland's national anthem is the oldest in the world?
Why?
It started off like God Save the Queen and it also sounded like the Stars and Stripes in the middle of it.
Everyone must have ripped them off
Good morning everyone. We are hoping for more quality today.
For once, I agree with the Scum. I think this tournament may represent the death of international football. These players are clearly saying to us that they don't consider the World Cup to be the highest stage of football anymore but they're not getting paid for it. Any pride in representing one's country is gone.
As I said on the video post... I have no excuse for him... even if he wears my beloved Red
Morning, MUR! Good to have you on board before your flight to go see Mickey.
What is up with them!
The weather isn't hot... why are they so KNACKERED!
I think it may be his "I want my life back" moment or perhaps even his "Let them eat cake moment," where he exposes the reality that he does understand (or care) what ordinary England fans are thinking or feeling. As you commented on yesterday's thread he couldn't be arsed to make a five-yard pass, jump for a cross or even jog slowly at a point.
I agree with UWS regarding Wayne Rooney. I made a similar statement on your link,Blue Devil.
Holland have never lost to a non European or South American team
Is that really saying much?
And we're off here.
Players in yellow card peril:
Holland: De Jong (of course!) RVP
Japan: Yaki Abe
Morning MUR
I just have to start thinking of something else.... I am sooooo ticked!
Both sides won their opening matches, but were they actually that good? I'm not sure. The Dutch were essentially professional against a really ordinary Danish side. Only Elia really impressed me. And Japan caught Cameroon on a day in which Samuel Eto'o decided not to show up.
Could this make Wayne go off to Spain?
Of course would the Special One want to spend 50p on the player on show?
RVP tries to play across to Kuyt but the Liverpool man wasn't anticipating it.
Have Holland always worn black shorts? It looks different to me. I know they have worn white and orange shorts too but which is their normal?
Holland have lost to South American opposition. They were defeated by Argentina in the 1978 World Cup Final and lost to Brazil in 1994.
The Dutch getting into gear here. And they've won an early free kick.
And Kumano is down on the turf after RVP inadvertently kicked him in the face as he fell over when fouled.
I apologize UWS. I am not fully awake. Now I understand you statement. You are correct.
Sneijder hits one that is always rising a bit.
I wonder if the sides will put forth an effort once the knockout stages begin.
I don't expect that, MUR. I've got a conspiracy theory developing, but I'll wait until the end of the Group Stage to unleash it.
15 minutes gone - have we seen a shot on goal yet?
I understand Blue Devil. You are not the only person with a conspiracy theory. I have had some friends state conspiracy theories in conversations over the past three days.
Well, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who is completely dispirited about the proceedings. I've diligently watched every minute of every match over the past week and - in the words of our esteemed UWS - "where's the quality?" That phrase sums up the World Cup so far.
I have seen little from the Dutch apart from Sneijder's chance. The Japanese are comfortable despite having 25% of the possession.
I agree with both Blue Devil and UWS. Perfectly stated.
To answer UWS's earlier question, I've seen the Dutch wear white, black and even orange shorts depending on what their opponents are wearing, but I believe orange shirts and white shorts is their preferred home strip.
RVP is penalized for swinging the arm. Komano again in the wars with him. He's got to be careful as he's carrying a card from the opening game.
I've been in the loo.... apparently I haven't missed anything
You haven't, mate. Clearly the Dutch are merely waiting for a Japanese player to gift them with a headed own goal.
Correct UWS. The Dutch have been disappointing.
Did anyone answer my shorts question?
Okubo is taken down by de Jong, but the referee plays on.
Yeah, I just did - I think white is their preferred color.
At least the officiating has improved since yesterday. Bring on Elia!
Robbie Mustoe comments that it's a good time to make a cup of coffee. Nothing going on there. I concur.
Absolutely - I'd love to see that kid again. He was really exciting.
Thinking positively... could it be a good thing that we are playing a European side on Wednesday
Of course, yesterday's performance wouldn't have beaten my Over 30s team
A reminder that the Gooner and I have a little side wager on. He predicted that RVP would score four goals by the time the quarter-finals roll around. I think at this point that I'm safe in thinking that he'll be buying the beers when I join him for the 4th of July weekend.
The graphic with the number of touches is annoying . Spain had 337 touches in the first half against Switzerland and we know what happened in that match.
The Dutch have a free kick from distance here....
Cleared out.
Vand Der Viel is booked for a foul on Matsui.
Van der Weil goes into the book for taking Matsui out as Japan broke there.
The Brazilian born Tanaka heads into the side netting off a free kick. That was the best opportunity of the match.
Decent attack ending with a Matsui shot from distance.
This is starting to resemble Japan's effort against Cameroon. I am noticing a similar pattern.
We're seeing more and more players born in one country and then naturalized and playing for another at this point. Of course Germany is the model case. I seem to remember that in 2006, the country that had the largest number of players born there but representing other countries was Brazil, including Brazilian-born players playing for Germany, Poland and Japan.
The Irish have had English and Scottish born players representing them for many years.
Honda Jabulani's a free kick over the bar.
Yes - Japan have weathered the earlier going as they did against Cameroon and now their superior athleticism is wearing down the Dutch a bit. I remember that playing against Japanese players was a nightmare for me because they will run all day long. Need I point out that I don't like running?
Has UWS gone back into the bog?
That is an interesting metaphor. That is how he interprets this match.
I am here but falling asleep
Again.... QUALITY.... Let's be havin you
It is halftime and a reprieve in this tedious goalless draw.
Argentina still the only side with two wins. Of the big sides, France have crashed out with a draw and a loss, Germany have a win and a loss, Italy drew, Spain lost and....England. Only the Argies and possibly Brazil have performed to their potentials.
Half-time: 0-0 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Brazil did not impress
This commercial with kid named after the team
I guess it was Liverpool
St. John, Yates... they included Paisley(a coach)
II have seen that commercial several. It is an excellent commercial , but don't name the kid after players from that scum side.
The second half is about to begin.
I've just been having a listen to last night's 606 podcast discussion. As you can imagine, the tone was scorching. Alan Green actually had to warn fans about their language several times. The main thread seemed to be against Fabio's team selection and substitutions (fair enough). But many said that England don't deserve to qualify for the next round. Perhaps, but which teams do? Argentina and who else? These two teams? Mexico? Uruguay?
There have only been two performances that have really impressed me so far. Germany's against Australia and Argentina's against Korea.
RVP has had a couple of early chances in this half but hasn't been able to take advantage. First a tame header and now a tame sidefoot. My wager is safe.
That was better from the Dutch. The long ball to RVP was not controlled, but I liked the idea.
Free kick now for Van der Vaart...
Behind for a corner. I fear that we've lost UWS again. Doing the Sudoku, Dave?
The Dutch earn a corner. Sneijder's corner is cleared.
GOAL! Sneijder brings the match to life with a rocket that beats Kawashima for power.
1-0 Holland!
GOAL 1-0 !!! Sneijder with an excellent strike from about 25 yards out. RVP with the assist. The keeper really should have done better.
Stecklenburg makes his first save of the match.
Honda shoots over. The match is starting to come to life.
The Japanese earn a corner.
That is three successive corners. The Dutch head out for a throw.
I'd have to count that down to goalkeeper error once again. I'm not sure why Kawashima couldn't tip that one around. He was moving in the wrong direction!
An hour gone now. I don't quite see any path back for Japan now. Shinsuke Nakamura, once a Celtic player, is about to come on.
I am not sure why Nakamura is not starting. He is on for Matsui.
Okubu tries one but it just doesn't bend enough.
That was better from Japan As Obuko's shot is wide.
I was surprised not to see him in the opening line-up too.
As long as it is 1-0, Japan have a chance. We thought New Zealand were defeated after conceding to Slovakia.
RVP nearly slices one into his own net. That wouldn't count, Gooner!
The Dutch seem intent on holding a 1-0 lead. They should be able to thrash this lot.
RVP has an assist. Does that count as half a goal.
I am trying to help Gooner as much as I possibly can.
I agree. Japan might still equalize, especially from a set piece. They've come back into this match after the Dutch have dropped off.
I reckon this group will come down to the Denmark v. Japan match. The Dutch will qualify with this win and I fear that Cameroon will be knocked out later today.
Finally, we get another look at Eljar Elia.
Elia is finally introduced. It's about time.
I'm sure that the Gooner will appreciate your efforts, MUR, but - no - assists and own goals don't count. Nor is the bet off if RVP gets crocked.
Inside the last fifteen minutes.
A bit of a surprise that Okubo was pulled off there. I agree with Robbie that he was probably Japan's liveliest threat.
I believe the Italians are benefactors of these results. They could face the Japanese or Danes in the next round and the Swiss in the quarters without really playing well. Before we know it, they are in the semis and anything is possible.
That's quite true, MUR. The Spain defeat sets them up for a Round of 16 match against Brazil, which I'm sure the Brazilians don't appreciate at all.
I agree Okubo was playing well and the Japanese need a goal. Is the coach thinking about the match with the Danes?
Wesley Sneijder is replaced by Ibrahim Afellay.
The goalscorer Sneijder is withdrawn for Afellay. It appears that we won't be seeing Arjen Robben today.
Elia has been quiet up to this point.
Afellay makes an instant impact as he is foiled by Kawashima. He should have scored.
Afellay immediately into the fray running onto a ball down the left and he had a chance one on one. RVP wanted the ball squared but he was greedy and Kawashima did well.
Huntelaar on for a short cameo. RVP off. Two games - nil goals. Advantage Blue Devil.
Oh - Huntelaar nearly in with the goals there. Kawashima did well there again and the Japanese defender nearly put it in his own net. Corner.
I have been running around this morning. I just looked at the goal. Has the match improved
I am skyping Tony at the moment and he wants to know what David James said last night on the radio. I heard it a little on Five Live but I can't remember what he said. Everyone over in England keeps referring to his comments about the manager. "has he"
Bob, can you enlighten us
Tony thinks there is strife in the squad and James may be behind it
RVP is replaced by Huntelaar. Afellay has another chance saved . The rebound is cleared for a corner.
Oh - Okuzaki had a real chance to level it and probably should have. Just couldn't keep his knee over the ball.
Holland should have scored two and then Japan go down and almost score at the 90th minute
Nearly 1-1 as the Japanese number nine shoots just over.
Referee points.... to the goal kick
Wow - for a moment I thought the ref was pointing to the spot. De Jong is a bit fortunate. He did somewhat manhandle his man there. I've seen those given.
I haven't heard James's comments yet. Obviously, I caught Roon's and heard Stevie G's as well. Stevie was a lot more contrite, as you would expect from the skipper. I'll take a look.
The final score is Holland 1 Japan 0.The dutch were far from impressive, in fact, they were disappointing.
Here it is:
"In grasping for a reason why his players should perform so poorly, Capello claimed an element of fear had returned.
James is not sure that is correct. "Did he?" retorted James. "Arguably it is more frustration than fear. You are usually playing matches when the opposition wants to win. It is very difficult when you are up against a side who seem not to want to lose. You are trying to work out the way to unlock a defence. They did what they needed to do. It was very frustrating."
James' comments hardly hint at a unified dressing room....
http://worldcup.sportinglife.com/story/0,27111,17308_6214133,00.html
I'm not overly impressed by the Dutch win there. They were no more than merely professional. Their goal should have been saved. It was well struck but Kawashima should have been able to push it behind. Still, a second win means their in the final 16.
I'm off to soak my head in the shower. If I miss you before you leave, MUR, have a terrific time in the Sunshine State.
I am off to the the tourney
Take care Bob
I am listening to the BBC coverage through Skype with Tony
Alan Hansen is talking complete sense...
Gary L is saying it is like Space Jam... the players lose all their talent
Great comments
Have a good day, mate. Catch you later.
Wayne Rooney
"never seen him play so badly"
"how can you say it is tension'
"touch heavy'
"is he injured? Unhappy? Burned out?"
"Cappello's biggest worry is Rooney"
Jurgen says he needs to relax!
I may be flying solo the rest of the day, but I'm going to keep the faith here at the LOB.
Up next - the Group D clash between Ghana and the Aussies. Ghana got a shock win through a dodgy late penalty against Serbia. Now after yesterday's shock defeat for Germany, Ghana have a chance to qualify for the Round of 16 by beating an Australian side without the talismanic Tim Cahill who was controversially red carded in the Germany game.
'Nothing is lost, win the last game and through"
Gary says he is sure there will be changes
Gary reminds us that we have started poorly before
Great segment on the BBC... thanks Tony
I will be here until halftime. I will try to be on LOB for a game or two while I am in Florida.
The team news is in:
Ghana: Kingson, Pantsil, Mensah, Addy, Sarpei, Prince Tagoe, Annan, Asamoah, Boateng, Ayew, Gyan
Australia: Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Neill, Moore, Carney, Culina, Valeri, Emerton, Holman, Bresciano, Kewell
Gary Lineker is correct. It is obvious that changes need to be made in the match against Slovakia. This is a wake up call for the England squad.
Ah, lovely. Thanks for keeping me company until your flight, MUR.
Not leaving for another half hour
I actually tried to skype you so we could do a three way conversation with Tony
The address I have for you wasn't found
Harry Kewell's missus has let him out of the house today and he starts in an all-change Socceroos side. Out go Scott Chipperfield and Richard Garcia.
What about me?
How about an Australian win here to have all three teams be on three points
Sorry mate. I only do Skype at work now. My laptop's too old and knackered for it at this point. I'll try Tony later.
It's always good to have you about, UWS!
Your computer is better than Tony's. Open up and we can talk without video
The Socceroos needed to make changes. I fully expect Ghana to win, but anything is possible.
The yellow card situation for this match:
Ghana - Prince Tagoe
Aussies - Neill, Moore, Valeri
I had to delete Skype - it was sapping all of the memory out of me. I'll try you lot later. I'm at "fredoniabob" over at work.
I can't believe I am going to be at work for England's last match too!!!
Jerk Face
I would not be surprised if Moore and Neill each pick up another yellow.
They're going to miss Cahill
No Pen!
AND THEN A SHOCKING CROSS!!
Not a pen
My old mate Harry Kewell goes down in the box early doors. Ref waves on. Again, isn't it a card if it's not deemed a foul?
ESPN talking about an Ex White
That could have been an early penalty as Kewell was pushed by Addy. I have seen those given.
The Socceroos had early pressure against the Germans before they fell apart.
Joachim Low is in the stands scouting the Ghanaians. He is concerned about them .
Kevin Prince Boateng shoots well wide from distance. Ghana have shown more attacking effort in the first five minutes than the Dutch did in 90 minutes.
I try not to think about Harry Kewell's time at Elland Road. It brings up the bad taste of the Majestik scandale, Ridsdale, the O'Leary babes, Banjo Boy and the rest.
The Socceroos with a bright start here. I'd love to see them redeem themselves.
Sorry about the Skype situation, mate. I'm worried that it will blow up the laptop.
The Socceroos earn a free kick as Valeri is fouled.
Valeri is chopped down just as he's lining up a shot. Dangerous free kick chance here for the Socceroos.
Did I hear the word....Leeds!?
The Aussies score!!
GOAL 1-0. Kingson fumbles Bresciano's free kick and Brett Holman slots in the rebound. A fantastic start for the Socceroos.
GOAL! The free kick is only partially cleared and Brett Holman nets the rebound. Well done, the Aussies!
1-0 Australia!
HOPELESS GOALKEEPING!!
AGAIN.... QUALITY... LET'S BE HAVIN YA
Schwarzer punches a corner from Ghana clear and is fouled in the process.
Honestly, are all the Aussies named "Brett." It's like a Monty Python routine:
"Is your name not 'Brett?' 'Mind if I call you,'Brett'" "Brett, here is in charge of the sheep dip, Brett."
My name is Michael
What did you make of Kawashima's effort this morning? I thought he was fairly good apart from with the Sneijder goal. Should've saved it. Where's the quality?
Group D is wide open with four teams on three points if the result remains unchanged. You did predict an Aussie victory,UWS.
What ever happened to Bruce
I stated my opinion on that goal. He did not commit any other errors. We now see why Kingson does not start for Wigan.
I wondered about that, too. I didn't predict because I've stopped predicting anything in this unusual tournament but Ghana never really impressed me against Serbia. Lucky to win through a dodgy pen.
I still predict that Germany and Serbia will advance. Germany should win the group as they have superior goal difference. I realize that predicting is risky in this tournament.
So how many goals have been down to goalkeeper error in this tournament. I'm thinking:
1. Green's nightmare vs. US
2. Algeria keeper vs. Slovenia
3. Paraguayan keeper misses the cross vs. Italy
4. N. Korean keeper vs. Maicon
5. Casillas vs. Switzerland
6. Nigerian keeper vs. Greece
7. Kawashima this morning
Am I missing any?
Well, I thought that Ghana had a chance. But similar to Nigeria the other day, they're in the process of bottling it. This has been a poor tournament so far for the African sides. Ironic really.
Yes,the error in this match. That is eight.
Red for the Aussiess
Saved off the line with the hand?
The Aussies don't think so
Hit him in the arm but he didn't make himself bigger
Off the line! Red card! Yes - it's Lucas Neill I think who handled on the line there. No - it's my old boy Harry Kewell. Wow - couldn't happen to a nicer bloke. He can spend more time now with the missus and their collection of shitsus.
It goes horribly wrong for the Socceroos for the Aussies as Kewell is called for handball no the line.
Goal
I am really leaving now
TTFN
GOAL 1-1 as Gyan scores from the spot as he did against Serbia. I thought this decision was really harsh. The Socceroos were playing well prior to the decision.
A second penalty chance now for Asamoah Gyan. And he sticks it away. I don't think much of Ghana or Gyan but he does take a lovely penalty.
He's now joint top scorer in the tournament with two penalties. That says all that you can say about World Cup 2010.
Enjoy the tourney, UWS. I'll bet that it produces more "quality" than this rubbish.
Did Kewell handle intentionally? It appeared that he had his arms against his body.
Take care, UWS.
I thought Harry moved his torso toward the ball a bit, sort of leaning to the right while keeping his arms down. An unnatural motion, I would say. Good penalty call. Red card as well.
Gyan is tied for second. Higuain is the top scorer with a hat-trick of tap ins against the South Koreans.
What say you, MUR?
Then the referee made the correct decision.
You're absolutely right, MUR. My apologies.
You stated that Gyan is the joint top scorer in the tournament,but Higuain is actually the leading scorer in the tournament.
I see the above statement. If Ghana win today, lose to Germany, and Serbia defeat the Socceroos then we will have three teams on six points. This scenario favors the Germans with their superior goal difference.
Sorry, I meant about the penalty and red card decision. Still think it was harsh after looking at it again?
Ghana have not really threatened since their man advantage.
Yeah - I reckon that you're right. It's advantage Germany. Hard to make predictions at this point, but I do give the Germans the benefit of the doubt against Ghana. The Serbs should have enough to knock out the Aussies. Germany and Serbia one and two. That was my original prediction after Essien was ruled out.
Craig Moore fouls Asamoah just outside the penalty area.
Free kick chance now....
Asamoah straight into the wall.
Decent cross in from Emerton but it's cleared out. And again the cross comes in and there's no one in the middle. Kennedy really needs to come in at some point.
Lee Addy picks up a yellow for a nasty one against Bresciano.
Annan is booked for a really nasty tackle on Bresciano.
I agree Josh Kennedy should unsettle Ghana's defense. He offers something different.
Counter from Ghana now...oh - Boateng pulls a great save from Schwarzer.
Not sure why the ref has given a goalkick. It was a great save from the Fulham man.
That was nearly 2-1 to Ghana as Kevin Prince Boateng tackles Carney and see his effort tipped around the post by Schwarzer.
No stoppage time then...
Half-time: A lively match. 1-1 at the half. All to play in the second half. The Aussies struggling to stay in; Ghana trying to qualify outright.
Halftime It is 1-1. I am leaving as the match is in the balance. I am off to the airport. I will watch the matches in Florida, but will try to be on LOB for a match or two while in Florida. Take care Blue Devil.
Cheerio, MUR. I'll look forward to your comments during the Round of 16. Enjoy your trip!
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