All Brazil have to do is beat Portugla and we're top. Portugal had an advantage (here comes my excuse) as they saw how Korea defend and play from our match against them. If Brazil were to repay North Korea, the outcome would be much greater than that of what Portugal achieved (7-0?).
World Cup 2010: Fifa 'very happy' with overall standard of referees http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/21/world-cup-2010-fifa-referees
that is a big ol' pile of bull. after watching the suisse game today i am seriously debating to stop watching professional football at all. it just does not have anything to do with football (or the football i like) anymore. i'm not talking about fighting to the death here but i'm not willing to watch anymore of that ballerina-"don't touch anyone, you might make him an ouchy"-care bear-bs. if i see one more game like the suisse game or the last germany game i'm gonna go puke my guts out and switch to rugby or something. never watched rugby before but i guess they are not acting like whiny little *itches...
Apparently the he refused to shake the South African manager's hand because he had previously criticised the French after they qualified (via a handball). Still, I think it was the wrong thing to do, it pretty much killed any semblance of dignity remaining in them.
I will admit that I have not followed France closely, but it really seems that this manager had no self-respect from the start. Everything that has happened seems to have been poorly handled. I just really have zero respect for him and am losing more by the second. I'm just glad that france is gone.. They in no way represent the spirit of the world cup. Anyway, pretty excited for the games this morning. I hope the US can come ot and get a good result, while I am interested to see how england will react to their poor start. ... that was waaaaaay too many words to write on my phone.
As an England fan, very, very nervy game, should have really been 3-0 or 2-0 at least, but nobody in England will care since we're through anyway. I thought it really could be it for us near the end, which required blocks by Terry (LOL @ his along-the-ground diving header, btw) and Johnson, and a crucial tackle by Upson. Overall, a much improved England side compared to the previous two games, hopefully the momentum carries on. Unfortunate that we could only take 2nd place in the table, but Germany's group is still really tight, and anything could happen. Sucker punch for Slovenia to go out at the last minute, but congrats to USA (slightly self-involved post-match interview by Donovan, but whatever, they're through). Good goal at the end, too.
We didn't go through, but I am pleased with our efforts. Considering that we lost the opening game 4-0, and many controversial decisions went against us along the way, we played very well in our final match and were in with a chance, until the goalkeeping blunder from Schwarzer. And seeing how well Holman played, I can't wait to see what the next generation of Socceroos will offer come 2014.
