While the last game of Group H has not been played yet, I thought I would ask for your Top 3 disappointments and surprises.
Mine are:
Top 3 Disappointments:
1) US. Thank God for the Ukraine. At least we don’t have the most lopsided loss in the first round.
2) France. Out of sorts. Bickering amongst each other, Les Bleus have as big an internal challenge as the US does.
3) Brazil/England/Netherlands (Pick one). While I give the opponents credit, these teams need to step it up to make the deep runs expected of them.
Top 3 Surprises:
1) Australia. Go Socceroos! After the US is 3 and out, they may the team I cheer on.
2) Germany. Ballack who? Great pace and good football, though the Costa Ricans were not impressed with the hospitality.
3) Spain. A surprise only in that they disappoint often. Pulling the scorers in the 55th minute was a sign of class, though Torres did not get the memo.
6 comments on “Round 1 is Done (Almost)”
I think the Czech Republic played really good too.
Thanks for this interesting summary, Tilam.
We should look at individual disappointments as well.
For example, I single out Ronaldo’s performance as the biggest individual disappointment. Followed closely by Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and nine other lions!
T3D
1) We also played what looks to be one of the top 3 teams that have played so far, with the ability to put in some new players and make some lineup changes, Italy will be an interesting match. With how they played, I feel we have the ability to defeat them. ESPN also reported that each of the three opening opponents were scouted by different coach’s, so whomever scouted the Czechs and helped develop the lineup should be given a stern talking to.
2) France continuing its dismal national team performance. Not much of a surprise or dissapointment really. I’d replace this with the dismal offside calls being made.
3) Brazil. England, I wasn’t expecting much from them. EPL hype has never transfered to their national team, and the influx of foreign (read spanish/italian/south american) players in the EPL does not mean they will play on the NT for England.
T3S
1) Not that they played all that well, but they did out last Japan, playing until the final minute and taking advantage of Japan playing for a tie for so long. Props for not giving up and taking advantage of Japan, thats the sign of a mentally strong team. I’ll definitely enjoy watching the rest of their WC games. Go Socceroos!
2) Agreed, Germany played great, and shows signs of typicaly non-german style. I put them in my top 4 so far.
3) I didn’t get to watch enough of the game (damn job getting in the way), but they looked strong, we’ll see if they can keep it up. I’d replace this with Trinidad and Tobago.
Pulled the scorers as a sign of class? Maybe so but one could argue that they pulled them so a frusterated Ukraine team didn’t injure them. Also, I don’t think there should be a memo to stop scoring. This is the World Cup, you better come to play and be ready to get trounced because there should be no holding back. That was a great goal and by jove, kudos for scoring it.
Shourin, my bitterness toward the Americans hides an admiration for the play of the Czechs. They were actually my number 3 Surprise prior to the Spain-Ukraine game.
Steven, very good point on the officiating. I am not sure if it is better or worse that 2002, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is amateur hour. Maybe that is too harsh, but I am not impressed so far.
Futahaguro, my comment about class and the memo was meant to be cheeky. I think you are right, they were pulled to keep them healthy and the Spaniards continued to play very well. At it was a great 4th goal, certainly a Top 10 nominee.
Futahaguro- amen! in a tournament that could come down to goal differential, keep scoring. BUT, not at the expense of injuring your better players. Once you’ve cinched the game you should be ready (and hopefuly able) to pull your stars out, let them rest and avoid injury.
Tilam- Did you not think the Czech’s deserve their #2 ranking? From what I saw and heard of them in their run to the Cup they looked to deserve that spot.
As for the officiating, it may not be any worse than 2002, and FIFA has a horrendous track record for developing referees, but one could still hope that some of the blatant on/offside that were called wrong would not have occured.