Conquer Club

It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance by Chile. I admire their determination and aggression, used tactfully - something that is rare in today's game of diving and faking. Congrats to the Chileans on their progression to the 2nd round!

Pedronicus wrote:

InkL0sed wrote:
I'm not really disagreeing with you, but surely the US qualifies as something better than "average", as you say.

To win this world cup from now, you need to win 4 games. by the law of averages, an average team won't do it, but there is an outside chance that in 4 knock-out game situation, a strange team can win it, if they get the breaks. This applies to anyone still left in it.
But the semis normally remove the average teams.

I guess it depends what you mean by average. If you take all the teams in the cup, then you could say all the ones who play above average make it to the second round. But if you just look at the second round teams, you could divide it that way I guess. But that's less fair (I mean, come on; only 8 teams in the entire world count as above average?). You could also say that all the teams that even qualify for the World Cup are average.

In any case, I never said I thought the US would make it to the finals. The semifinals look very possible though.

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

pmchugh wrote:

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

What's up with him lately, anyway?

InkL0sed wrote:

pmchugh wrote:

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

What's up with him lately, anyway?

Missed making the team, got fucked in playing time with other clubs do to coaching changes, and is not playing in greece i believe. CBS or yahoo just had a write up about him recently. Hes much like michelle wie, considered a god before they did anything. Kid has talent, but he kinda got swept under the rug.


-tig

InkL0sed wrote:

pmchugh wrote:

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

What's up with him lately, anyway?

Just got dropped from the Greek team he was playing on.

Also, Pedro, I know you hate the States and all, but why do you think the US making the semi's is so ridiculous? Ghana and then South Korea or Uruguay; surely that's more than doable.

Thirdly, people are totally overrating Portugal.

the.killing.44 wrote:

InkL0sed wrote:

pmchugh wrote:

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

What's up with him lately, anyway?

Just got dropped from the Greek team he was playing on.

Also, Pedro, I know you hate the States and all, but why do you think the US making the semi's is so ridiculous? Ghana and then South Korea or Uruguay; surely that's more than doable.

Thirdly, people are totally overrating Portugal.

They have talent and in a derby style game with spain i wouldn't be surprised to see them sneak a surprise.

Methinks Spain v. Portugal is extremely even, and is, other than US game, the "game" to watch this round.

the.killing.44 wrote:Thirdly, people are totally overrating Portugal.

I disagree. Portugal looks great right now. Spain not so much.

I'm not saying Spain is looking great, but when say Brazil has Kaka / is really going for it, I don't think they could match up. They didn't look great against Côte d'Ivoire, raped a pretty shitty North Korea, and ground out a game vs. Brazil. We'll see.

World cups turning very wierd. Hope Spain start to assert some dominance in their games, I think the Portugal match will be perfect for them. Just looked at the fixtures, there are only going to be 3 European teams in the quarters as all 6 teams have a European opposition and the Germany/England winner face Argentina, Netherlands vs Brazil so a very real possibility of just 1 European team in the semis (providing Spain/Portugal beat Paraguay/Japan). Massive change from last time when the semis were a total European affair.

My prediction now - the safe money says Ned/Brazil vs Arg/Spain in the final. I don't really disagree with that, I think these teams really have the quality when it matters. My best guess on an upset, Mexico winning on Sunday.

Btw, totally split on USA game tomorrow. I like the USA team and kinda support them as my 2nd team behind Spain but I really want Ghana to do well as the sole African representative as they could realitically make a run to the semis and be the most successful African side in history. The support for them should be phaenominal now, hopefully. The English media saying most SA's supporting England now is just biased imo. A large minority may be, but I can't see them favouring anyone other then Ghana considering what this world cup means for them.

Stop with this over rated sheesh and let the games do the talking, what are you VIPER now

Neither Portugal or Argentina are overrated

quality teams here people

-griff

Titanic wrote:World cups turning very wierd. Hope Spain start to assert some dominance in their games, I think the Portugal match will be perfect for them. Just looked at the fixtures, there are only going to be 3 European teams in the quarters as all 6 teams have a European opposition and the Germany/England winner face Argentina, Netherlands vs Brazil so a very real possibility of just 1 European team in the semis (providing Spain/Portugal beat Paraguay/Japan). Massive change from last time when the semis were a total European affair.

My prediction now - the safe money says Ned/Brazil vs Arg/Spain in the final. I don't really disagree with that, I think these teams really have the quality when it matters. My best guess on an upset, Mexico winning on Sunday.

Btw, totally split on USA game tomorrow. I like the USA team and kinda support them as my 2nd team behind Spain but I really want Ghana to do well as the sole African representative as they could realitically make a run to the semis and be the most successful African side in history. The support for them should be phaenominal now, hopefully. The English media saying most SA's supporting England now is just biased imo. A large minority may be, but I can't see them favouring anyone other then Ghana considering what this world cup means for them.

Ghana are pretty weak. They are very lucky to be in the round of 16, as their only two goals were both from the penalty spot. Even with a ridiculous and unnecessary red card Australia still dominated play against Ghana and was unlucky to draw. So no, Ghana aint that great and USA should be alright against them

Japan are definitely looking good. Those couple free kick goals were beautiful. I love watching those. So much skill! I miss Raul.

I like that the USA is doing well (mostly I like that more Americans are getting more into the WC this time around). I think that they would need to have an absolutely phenomenal game to beat Uruguay in the quarters (not to mention, Ghana will be no pushovers), but I wouldn't rule it out completely. That becomes a moot point though, when you realize that whoever makes that semi-final, will almost certainly be losing to the Netherlands or Brazil.

Watching Portugal is disgusting sometimes. Even though I was hoping they won today (picked them to, in the family pool), there were so many times I found myself swearing at them for flopping, or making brutal, dirty tackles, or whining about every call. It's the exact same shit that pissed me off about them in '06. Pepe couldn't be subbed out quickly enough for my taste. It's a shame. They have some amazing talent on that team.

I think Sunday will be the best day for matches in the round of 16. Argentina/Mexico, and Germany/England should both be excellent matches. Even though the Mexicans are playing well, I suspect the Argentinians will be too much for them, and I suspect that the English are going to make for a better opponent than the Germans have faced so far.

I think it's safe to say that I am really looking forward to these next 15, or 16 matches.



edit-

the safe money says Ned/Brazil vs Arg/Spain in the final. I don't really disagree with that

I don't really either.

Obviously you guys don't disagree with the chalk. That's what it is...chalk.

But that's why sports are so fun to watch. So much shit could happen that could mix up the tourney.

I would absolutely love to see the Netherlands defeat Argentina.

A pity we saw another unwarranted red in Spain-Chile, cause the way the spaniards stopped playing after 2-1 they could have been taken by surprise. This team perspires laziness. I hate Portugal but wouldn't be surprised if they kick them out of the way. Also, Casillas is definitely not looking in shape this year.
Anyway apparently there's never been so few european countries in the second round, and only 3 in quarters... I hope there'll be a spot less for Europe and one more for Asia in the future qualifying phase (SA has already many spots, if they have too many they'll stop being competitive and become lazy like Europeans )
Some games this round are looking weak, but who knows... Rooting for South Korea & Ghana today

the.killing.44 wrote:

InkL0sed wrote:

pmchugh wrote:

Pedronicus wrote:Well in this thread I'm basing it on the fact hat USA has 24 votes and is the most voted for winner, in a competition that I doubt the USA would win. Until America provides a team with about 2-3 excellent players that might just carry the rest of the average team.

But what about freddy adu?

What's up with him lately, anyway?

Just got dropped from the Greek team he was playing on.

Also, Pedro, I know you hate the States and all, but why do you think the US making the semi's is so ridiculous? Ghana and then South Korea or Uruguay; surely that's more than doable.

Thirdly, people are totally overrating Portugal.

I'm not saying that USA won't make it to the Semis, I said that they wont win it. (as 24 voting people think they can)
They have a nice looking couple of games to get to the Semis. Far nicer / easier looking games than England.

InkL0sed wrote:

jaimito101 wrote:

Doc_Brown wrote:Here's the bracket for the rest of the tournament. My bet for the Semis is US loses to Brazil and Germany loses to Portugal. Brazil vs. Portugal for the cup and US vs. Germany for third place.

you guys can't be serious. the poll has the US winning it all, and this crazy doctor states the US will reach the semis.

omg. people, lets try to keep this at least somewhat realistic.

US has a very reasonable shot at getting to the semis. You're the one not being realistic.

agreed semies can be reached, the US has a soft draw,

i would be giving them a 60% chace of winning the first and 50% the second game, so they should have about a 1/3 chace of getting there. so yes they have a chance but you and other americans are expecting them to do it, wich is not quite reasonable with them holding only a 30% chance in my oppinion.

wishing for anything more would be just plain reckless.

That was an interesting mix of total boredom, and exciting football. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Korea tie it up in the last few minutes. That said, I don't think the Uruguayans really showed their full potential today.

I only want to question wtf England has more votes than Brazil. Do people know who they play next? I dont see them matching up against the Germans. Then EVVVVVVVVVEN if they win that game they play who? Argentina or Mexico. If they win that game they have to beat in my opinion Portugal. I dont see this happening. THey are gonna be out first round with pk's. You guys talk about us Americans having to much egotistical pride but w.e english twits voted for their team obviously dont know how little talent they have. Sorry had to get that out.

Timminz wrote:That was an interesting mix of total boredom, and exciting football. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Korea tie it up in the last few minutes. That said, I don't think the Uruguayans really showed their full potential today.

I haven't watched much of the Uruguayan football before today, but if they play like that against the US (assuming the US beats Ghana), I think the US will have decent odds of getting past them.

As to Pedro's silly complaints about the poll, I suspect that 2/3 of the people that voted for US there either know next to nothing about international football except that the US is in the world cup and they want the US to win, or they voted based on who they wanted to win rather than who they realistically expect to win. Isn't that the way most anonymous internet polls go? People cast votes based on what amuses them rather than on some realistic expectations. I think all the US supporters that have posted here think it's hopelessly optimistic to think the US has any sort of chance to win the world cup, but then, nearly as many people picked England to win. I personally voted for Brazil to win.

I expect a great deal of unfair reffing today, considering we're playing Ghana, and the refs have been openly biased in their calls towards African nations.

pimpdave wrote:I expect a great deal of unfair reffing today, considering we're playing Ghana, and the refs have been openly biased in their calls towards African nations.

Is that you getting your excuses in early???

If the US wins, I'm torching some shit and starting a riot