[Night Hammer]

oh the Darkage I remember didnt need an excuse to have a keg already there and tapped

[karajorma]

Felt pretty sorry for the Ivory Coast. They didn't deserve to go out based on the two matches they've played.

As for the Angola vs Mexico game even as a England supporter I was pissed off that ITV choose to completely ignore the half-time analysis in favour of yet more speculation about the England vs Sweden match. Just shut the **** up about it and talk about the match we're actually watching!

As for the result. Well so much for Angola being the groups whipping boys. They could actually still qualify. If Portugal beat Mexico then it comes down to goal difference. And the Portuguese probably wouldn't mind helping Angola qualify either

[aldo_14]

What kara said.

Except the 'even as an England supporter' bit, of course.

[Kosh]

Tomorrow I can watch the US play Ital, but unfortunately it is not on until 3 am.


Personally, I'm betting that the US will get creamed. Italy is a very tough team and considering how poorly the US played against the Czechs, I just don't see how they can win.

[Shade]

The big US chance as I see it is that the Italians could have seen them play the Czechs and expect a walkover. Arrogance has felled many a good team, and the Italians have shown a tendancy towards it before. If the US can pick up their play - and we certainly didn't see them at their best in their first match - and Italy doesn't play at 100%, then just maybe they could surprise us.

[Kosh]

The big US chance as I see it is that the Italians could have seen them play the Czechs and expect a walkover. Arrogance has felled many a good team, and the Italians have shown a tendancy towards it before. If the US can pick up their play - and we certainly didn't see them at their best in their first match - and Italy doesn't play at 100%, then just maybe they could surprise us.

Before they played the Americans, the Czechs did say "we will win". I'm not sure they played 100% either.

[Shade]

Well, Ghana look like they want to give the US a hand... they might get by with a draw vs Italy and win vs Ghana if this 1-0 lead holds.

[Kosh]

Ghana played incredibly well. They won 2-0.


If Ghana keeps playing like this, even if the US does get a chance to play them I doubt the US could win.

[aldo_14]

Well done Ghana, they were superb.  I thought that would be a really interesting match, actually, with Ghanas sheer pace and athletecism against a slower but more measured Czech team.

[Shade]

Now this is more like it from the Americans. Playing an aggressive game instead of the passive and uninspired crap from their first match. This could get interesting

And agree about Ghana, they were great in that match, while the Czechs looked nothing like they did in their first match.

[aldo_14]

They're pressing the Italians really well, and the Italians simply can't get the space they need in midfield - especially as they lack real width.

[Shade]

Wow. That ought to have been a goal right there... had the aim been good, the goalie would've been sold. Awesome so far.

[aldo_14]

Encouraging from a Scottish point of view, too; I remember us playing a similar game in the 1-1 draw at Hampden, and if Italy remain vulnerable to an agresively pressing team, it bodes well for (our very, very outside chance in) the qualifiers.

EDIT; sod that, 1-nil Italy.  Abysmal defending, good finish, typical Italian &, well, undeserved.  This will get very interesting, what with the Italian tradition of counter-attacking.

[Shade]

Definitely undeserved... but they messed up on defense and you just can't do that against a team like Italy.

[Edit] And a straight red for Italy, following a move that belongs nowhere outside a boxing ring. That was deserved. A full hour for the US against 10 italians. Oh, and 1-1 too

[karajorma]

What the **** was DeRossi thinking?

[Shade]

Well, I don't know what McBride said about his mother... but it worked like a charm

[Edit] And now what wtf was that guy thinking? You're up a man, it's far from your own goal, it's nearly half time, and then you go straight for the legs drawing a straight red. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And deserved, too... that could have broken an ancle.

So 1-1, and 10 vs 10.

[Kosh]

It's still 1-1 at half time with 2 red cards: 1 from Italy because he nailed an American player with a elbow and 1 from America with a nasty slide tackle.

The Americans didn't really score either, an Italian messed up and accidently scored for them.

[aldo_14]

US have been the better team so far, although it's been in the sense (IMO) of stopping the italians play rather than perhaps playing through themselves.  Both deserved red cards, I think (having the replays).  1st was obvious, 2nd because it was lunge in that could have easily broke Pirlos' ankle.

That was a hilarious OG, though

10 vs 9; Pope sent off for a 2nd yellow.

[karajorma]

I nearly pissed myself laughing at that OG

[Shade]

Well, the US team just needs to last until Italy get reduced to 9. Shouldn't take long the way this game is panning out :

[Edit] Wow, that was one weird match. And entertaining. Americans definitely redeemed their honour with that performance.