gazza ladra

Will always have a chance with Forlan, Suarez and Cavani though. The thing that really frustrated me about Mexico is that they had the pace and talent to dominate the midfield, put Uruguay on their backheels and take Forlan and company out of the game.... and then they go and start a couple of dinosaurs. Really poor decision by Aguirre. Group was there for the taking.

Yes.

Wouldn't read much into Uruguay looking good against poor sides. They're nothing special.

i think uruguay would beat paraguay and chile tbh. they've got some good players like forlan, perreria, saurez, lugano, and are more physical/ruthless than those two. Uruguay finished fifth in CONMEBOL qualification and had to beat Costa Rica in a playoff to qualify. They drew with Chile twice, lost to and drew Paraguay.

Ghana can't finish. They score penalties. Not one goal from open play.

Uruguay is nothing special. They played France for a draw, beat a poor South Africa, and took a Mexican side that had their tactics all wrong-- starting Blanco (WTF?). The poorest South American team in the tournament.

Going to Chelsea, or Chelsea II (Man City)..... out of our price range for sure.

Delighted. Was rooting for Ghana and then I suddenly realized that meant that US would play Germany in the next round. Could already hear all you English complaining how Germany had lucked out (again) and were handed an easy path to the final, and then they scored. I was gutted and glad at the same time. Even though I think this German side is pretty poor, they are still Germany and they would definitely score against the US backline. Pretty happy about facing Ghana....they'll be tough to break down but are relatively toothless. Very beatable.

Ghana has been playing a really positive game so far. A little surprising that they've got forward as much as they have. Really happy. But after seeing Algeria bunkering for 90 minutes-- when they needed a win to have any chance of advancing---I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Some teams can't go against their nature I suppose.

Couldn't agree more, to be honest. Found the Cole obsession rather bizarre. Although I do agree with Kid Icarus that he was a highlight in the last world cup, but that was 4 years ago. Hardly a reason to be given the benefit of the doubt this time round. And he wasn't actually that good, to be fair. all well and good, and i'd agree if capello had found something different to do but he didn't - it's all well and good being smart enough to see that jcole isn't your answer...the point is being able to see what IS your answer Well, we won, didn't we? Today was just about getting a win, it did not have to be pretty. none of those quotes were "today" specific agree today was about the win, but wins like that HAVE to be the watershed in events - capello HAS to realise where he went wrong and what is required to go right immediately or it's over before it's begun Don't see where our points are different here like. Just merely saying everyone seemed to make out we could only win with Cole. In fact, there were plenty that seemed more than appalled, prior to the game, that Milner was set to be in ahead of Cole. I think people would've been (rightly) upset if Heskey had started again as well. Cole (or a healthy Milner), Defoe, Barry or Carrick, James in goal. Good changes from the team picked against the US.

Really looking forward to Germany-Ghana. I picked Ghana to win the group -- probably more heart than head-- and was convinced that they were the African side to succeed this time out. Unlike seemingly everyone else, I haven't been all that impressed with Germany. The win over Australia for me was down to really poor tactics on the Aussies part. Would really like to see Ghana 1st, Serbia 2nd. I think the US and England can beat anyone coming out of this group. Now watch Germany come out and destroy Ghana.

Germany are beatable. Ghana can play for the draw, beat them on the counter attack.

Yeah, it's EASY.

I took France, Germany, and Ivory Coast. C'mon Ghana!

To be a bit contratrian, I think the French players are right to stand up and defy Domenech. The only disgrace is that they've waited this long and the the FFF has kept him on as long as they have. They have too much talent to continue to be shackled by that moron. Ok, so I'm something of a francophile -- an American francophile at least as far as football goes, but I would really like to see France beat South Africa and advance to the knock stages. It will be interesting to see if Henry starts the last match. If so, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a different French team. They certainly have the talent to beat anyone and this coup might be the thing that brings these players together and gets them playing together with purpose. If they beat SA and advance, look out. (Here's hoping) And as for Italy,

Didn't Socrates propose cutting down the number of players per team from 11 to 9 or 8? Rather drastic change which would really favor Brazil.

Maradona for England. What could go wrong?

Maybe when we finally get to host a world cup again we can play the sound of metal screeching over the PA for 90 minutes. May I suggest Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music?

Me too. Probably the only two. It's not the most popular opinion. Has England ever played in the Azteca? http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/worldcup/scandals/2.jpg Edit: Too late. Mexico has lost one (?) competive match at Azteca? Costa Rica a few years back, other than that it's a fortress for them.

Me too. Probably the only two.

Argentina or South Korea would be quite happy to draw Uruguay I think.

Not worthy of Not Worthy Of A Thread.

Oh, and hear Veron is pretty good too.

Nah, Brazil have been the most impressive for me. At least North Korea and the Swiss had their tactics right. The Aussies (and their old legs) tried to press and they got burned. Cahill, a striker? And two German goals came against ten men.