Posted June 15, 201014 yr This can probably be merged into a day 5 thread for the WC but i don't see one up at the moment. Very excited to see how the all whites go against slovakia tonight, i was born and raised in England so they are always the team close to my heart however i have lived in NZ for the last decade so feel a definite connection to these lads. Absolutely thrilled/ in disbelief when they got past bahrain in the qualifier and the country is in the utmost anticipation for the match tonight. Whilst most people kind of just see us as whipping boys of the tournament the pre tournament results definitely suggest that a result in one of the matches is possible and should that be achieved then they will be able to leave with their heads held very high. If anyone happens to be watching this match notice the formation that will be deployed, it is something that I am struggling to understand, it is a 3-4-3 although most of the play seems to be long balls through the middle, there are some pretty talented players that should also be watched out for. Bertos who plays on the right in the middle can be a tricky customer with a wicked cross, There is Shane Smeltz up front who has topscored for the A league before and although lacks the ability of a player for a top european league certainly knows how to find the net and there is also our young central defender Winston Reid who was elligible for both NZ and Denmark but when offered the chance to play at this world cup decided to play for the all whites. He has been linked to a number of italian teams and looks like a very promising player for his age. Then there is Mr Kiwi himself Ryan Nelsen, every thing i have ever seen about him tells me that he will give absolutely everything he has to the cause and he is a great servant of the game for this country. As for the match tonight will be interesint to see how a certain miroslav stoch performs out on the wing as well as giving an opportunity to have a closer look at Marek Hamsik (who is also the skipper) as i have hardly seen him play before. Lets go the kiwi's!!!
June 15, 201014 yr Even though Australia and New Zealand are rivals...and I am disgusted by Australia's performance against you guys in the friendly....especially Grella...the chump...I would love to see NZ go well. I'll be supporting them mate. Hope they do you proud :)
June 15, 201014 yr In addition to the obvious match of the day, we will also see the Ivory Coast v. Portugal at 15:00 UK time and Brazil v. North Korea at 19:30. Drogba has been given permission to play with his arm in a cast so may feature. A difficult decision for SGE as this match is virtually a decider for second in the group. I don't hold out much hope for New Zealand based on Australia's dismal effort.
June 15, 201014 yr Author First half has gone alright, 0-0 at the break and the best chances probably fell to the all whites, Mark Paston the NZ keeper is having an absolute mare. Never pretty or exciting football with this team but it seems to work.
June 15, 201014 yr In addition to the obvious match of the day, we will also see the Ivory Coast v. Portugal at 15:00 UK time and Brazil v. North Korea at 19:30. That made me laugh :lol: Ivory Coast v Portugal will surely be the first exciting match of the tournament. I've been very unimpressed with it so far. Come on the Elephants!
June 15, 201014 yr Author wow, absolutely awful match but what an end to it. Would be out with my fellow students celebrating that result now if it wasnt for the fact that i have an exam in 12hours time. That result will hurt slovakia a lot.
June 15, 201014 yr Next up Ivory Coast and Portugal. Lots of Chelsea interest here with Carvalho, Ferreira and Deco and Kalou and Drogba (on the bench). Should be a good game, which will be a first for this world cup.
June 15, 201014 yr Of course will any of the Portugese Chelsea players be on the squad in a month? Nice to see Carvalho back in good health.
June 15, 201014 yr Carvalho just threw some words at Kalou after Kalou tried to calm him down. Don't want to see that happening!
June 15, 201014 yr Ivory Coast have been the better side overall but havent created much. Portugal looked clueless most of the game. By the way this Gervinho guy on the left flank for Cote has been really good whole game. Full of tricks. I'd happily trade him for Kalou and some loose change.
June 15, 201014 yr Well despite the miserable bar stewards on ITV I quite enjoyed that. No goals but two well matched teams, a few tasty tackles and some decent football. I thought the Ivory Coast played a lot better than they did in the last ACN. Maybe Sven's coaching prowess. Not sure why Didier didn't shoot at the end. Probably both teams will be reasonably happy. Looks like it might come down to who scored most against North Korea.
June 15, 201014 yr Well despite the miserable bar stewards on ITV I quite enjoyed that. No goals but two well matched teams, a few tasty tackles and some decent football. I thought the Ivory Coast played a lot better than they did in the last ACN. Maybe Sven's coaching prowess. Not sure why Didier didn't shoot at the end. Probably both teams will be reasonably happy. Looks like it might come down to who scored most against North Korea. I thought it was pretty rubbish at best. played like many other games so far this world cup, with a fear of losing.
June 15, 201014 yr Well despite the miserable bar stewards on ITV I quite enjoyed that. Once again ES you confirm how we see football very differently and why you could never be a big Joe Cole fan. This is the World Cup and I want to see players who can play football as I know it. Skillful players who are comfortable on the ball and are not afraid to take players on. I want to see plenty of goalmouth action and keepers making save after save. It's just not happening and up to now we have seen the modern, physical game which is a complete bore. One may as well watch Big Brother at 2.00am for the same sort of non entertainment. Up to now this is probably one of the worst World Cups I can remember. Let's hope Brazil and Spain can at least live up to expectations.
June 15, 201014 yr I'm with ethical on this one, I quite enjoyed it too. Ivory had more posession and should've won that one. Brazil will smash Korea later, guaranteed. Kaka will walk all over them.
June 15, 201014 yr WC gripes: The matches have been very poor so far. The weather looks very cold at night, fans wearing winter clothing doesnt look right. In the day brilliant sunshine and the shadows cuts the pitch in half. The f**king horns, and no singing. ITV commentary. Ze Germans starting well. Engurland playing like the Faroe Isles. It can only get better..
June 15, 201014 yr They'll be no more pearls of wisdom from Robbie Earle. ITV sacks Robbie Earle for breaking ticket regulations (Guardian) ITV has announced the sacking of its World Cup pundit Robbie Earle after discovering he had passed scores of tickets to a third party in breach of Fifa rules, which were then said to be used by a Dutch beer company for an ambush marketing effort. Edited June 15, 201014 yr by sweet waffle
June 15, 201014 yr I'm looking forward to tonight's game. North Korea are better than people think, and their defensive tactics may enable them to steal a couple of points from their groupmates. It's also always a joy to see Brazil enter a World Cup.
June 15, 201014 yr I have to say I've been disappointed so far too, and I agree with those that think too many matches have been dominated by a fear of losing. Lets hope things open up in the second round of games. Usually the group games are the most entertaining and then it gets bogged down into midfield stalemates when you get into the knockout stages. I really hope I'm wrong but if the first games are anything to go by we will see a lot of 0-0 draws followed by penalties in the knockout stages. On the positive side the TV coverage over here in USA is much better than previous world cups. They actually have some decent pundits too with the exception of Alexi Lalas. Good to see Ruud there and Roberto Martinez is an intelligent guy. I also quite like Efan Ekoku on the commentary. Anyway here is hoping for some improvement in the next round of games.
