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Looking at this thread, you've got to be impressed at how quickly and efficiently Ashley has managed to kill off the feel-good atmosphere following promotion.

Should hoy it on the box over here, gets f*** all coverage. Would imagine its equal at least to the African Cup. At least people probably turn up to games/don't get shot/etc etc. I think even from a neutral's standpoint it's the most interesting continental tournament anywhere save Euros as you literally have no idea who will win before it actually starts. South Korea/Japan/China/Australia and 2039489023854 random Arabs are all in with a chance. No nation has won more than three times, we haven't since 1960. Iraq won in 2007 which was an immense story considering their situation. You also get to see some absurd minnows like Turkmenistan or Vietnam come and play against established teams like Korea/Japan/Iran/Saudi Arabia, which is always interesting.

Aye, I'm sure the world will be on the edge of their seats. What, do you mean we're not as good as Europe? Lies!

Decent run from both us and Japan, this sets up an interesting showdown for bragging rights in the Asian Cup in January. Add in the strongest China side ever, the Aussies, the Commies, and all the Middle-Eastern nations out for revenge, and this just might be the most interesting Asian Cup ever.

Get in Cardozo

Well, this should be interesting.

Commentator: "You know, I'm kind of sick of praising both team's defensive organization"

Deeply unimpressed with both "Guay"s I have to say.

Oh come on

This is blatantly going to pens. Japanese have gained the uncanny ability to reduce whoever they're playing to shit.

The Japanese have fancied themselves as a "passing side" since the early ninties, and have systematically made passing the focus over all else in the development of their players. This has made them very good technically but has had very detrimental effects in other areas (ie, having 500 decent midfield distributors and not a single reliable finisher.) Ironically enough, the success of this year's NT came only after they gave up their pretty wide-open passing and adopted a more tenacious, narrow approach to the game.

Don't know why people like Uruguay so much. They're a poor side with a bit of quality up front that lets them get away with it. (No, that's not me being bitter ) Would much rather see Ghana advance to the semis if for no other reason than to have an African team go further in the competition. Ghana - Brazil and Argentina - Spain would be interesting semis.

fits the bill...out of contract from what i've read... EDIT: just read he will sign for Celtic 2 year contract with celtic confirmed. Shame,would have loved him here for a lot of reasons Also Celtic now has two Korean players. How random.

Funny really, I would be on my hands and knees to have any of Englands outfield players playing for Newcastle, but put them all together and...

Should all be punished by being forced to play for Newcastle.

Germany are amazing. Ref is a cunt though.

By the way, the ref for our match yesterday was German. The ref for yours today is Uruguayan. Get on with the conspiracy theories

Best fucking match ever. I knew the World Cup would become more enjoyable once we were out

Upson scores This is brilliant

Playing well and losing at a World Cup is a new feeling for me. It will take some getting used to. Drinking myself to sleep now, see you tomorrow.

LETS DO THIS

South Korea has played against Jonas, Martins so far. Nacho today. Hopefully we'll get to meet the US in the quarters and keep the streak going with Gooch.

Who would they give it to? There's only 10 teams in CONMEBOL, 5 already in the Cup. I'd say that's pretty impressive representation already. Doing an incredible job this WC. It was a bit tongue in cheek, but COMNEBOL and Asia will be demanding more spots from FIFA. Asia are obviously not that good, but with South Korea and Japan advancing countries like China will be pushing the population argument, whereas South America will be pushing the quality argument. Both will be saying that Europe and Africa don't deserve the representation they already have. South Americans have an argument. Asia, not much. CONMEBOL 5/5 advance CONCACAF 3/2 AFC 4/2 UEFA 13/6 CAF 6/1 OFC 0/1 As happy as I am to see the South Koreans and Japanese progress, the idea of Asia getting another slot is nonsense. New Zealand got to South Africa by beating Bahrain. Costa Rica missed out by losing to Uruguay. I reckon that Costa Rica would take Bahrain as well. Still I'm not about to argue for another place for North America, there's dropoff between our top four (Mex, USA, Costa Rica, and Honduras) and the rest. I miss the Ticos. Also anyone notice that all six of the European teams that advanced play European competion in the round of 16? That means 3 of the last 8 will be from UEFA. I figure CONMEBOL will have 4. I think the current allocation is spot on really. No need to change it.

My knockout predictions. Uruguay beats Korea Ghana beats USA Netherlands beats Slovakia Brazil beats Chile England beats Germany Argentina beats Mexico Paraguay beats Japan Spain beats Portugal Ghana beats Uruguay Brazil beats Netherlands Argentina beats England Spain beats Paraguay Brazil beats Ghana Spain beats Argentina Brazil beats Spain

The People's Rooney looks like a man who's just realized that he only has 30 minutes of World Cup football left in his life. He's not going to pass for the rest of the match.