He would have been better bringing Willem Defoe, Jermain would be a bonus :D

*disclaimer*

Please disregard any blatant jabs to the england squad on my behalf, just doin my duty [img]smile.gif[/img]

Was also due in part to the fact that the ref wouldn't stand to listen to complaints from Viduka, el Capitan. (The only person on the team that the ref MUST listen to and also the one who apparently copped the blunt end of the ref's stick throughout the game. Apparently. I'd have to watch it again before i'd agree with that entirely.)

Refereeing or otherwise, we just didn't have the class to overcome it though. It's not like having some of those calls reversed would have led to a win. There was nothing wrong with our effort and commitment, but we lack creativity out of midfield and our finishing was very poor.

I just watched the first goal in the England v Sweden match. He pulled that one out of his Joe Cole. :D [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I don't know why players argue with the refs in the first place. Sure emotions are high but you understand your there to play the game and listening to the refs is part of that game. Leave it to the coaches to talk to the refs, it's just wasted emotion and opens you up to more calls later in the game. There are some very good international refs but the majority do have a bit of a power play complex about them. It just doesn't pay to argue. These players are adults they should accept their position and play. It is just like in American baseball, the players cry about bad calls when they should just play the game.

Holland-Argentina 0-0, next stop Portugal. Tricky little bastards, Mexico would have been easier. On the other hand, if we make it through, we'll avoid Germany, and play England instead, should be a more interesting matchup.

Well its do or die time for the Aussies. In 7 hours we have to at least draw against Croatia. If we do draw then the only way for us to get knocked out is if Japan beat Brazil by 3 goals.

I'm not so sure England is going to make it past Ecuador. They still have not put together a whole game of solid play. Even aginst Sweden they were hit and miss. This game will be very entertaining to say the least.

I would love the see the faces on the bookies if Japan really pulls that off. Not to mention the inevitable massarce at the Brazilian airport.

I'm really having suspicions about the refereeing. I've seen two instanced in which Australia should have gotten a penalty, OBVIOUSLY. One has a hand straight up into the air an armlength higher than all the guys there touching the ball off course. In the game with Ghana today a guy was pulled to the ground with TWO arms while playing the ball... And wasn't given a penalty.

Seriously, I'm wondering if Italy is the only country with fraud. :(

EDIT: AGAIN! Viduka got jumped and he got a free kick AGAINST! > :(

EDIT2: That guy got a RED card and he's allowed to play? WTF?!

[ 06-22-2006, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: JrKASperov ]