The 2006 FIFA World Cup

[Wolfpac]

Once every 4 years the Soccer World Cup comes along. This year it is held in Germany. 32 nations battle it out for the biggest sporting event in the world. So who do you think will win? Who do you want to win?

[Slig_Cake]

I think that Brazil will win it again mainly because they have such a good line up and the experience behind them. I want Australia to win obviously but that isn't going to happen. They'll either bomb out in the first round or maybe sneak through into the second round or quarter finals, but that's the most I would expect from them.

The team that I want to win that has a chance is England. I would like to see them get another world cup to their name.

Watch out for the Czechs, I think they'll surprise a few people...

[Rich]

Obviously, I hope England does well. I think we have a good team this year and we may be in with a chance, but let's just wait and see.

[Havoc]

I have no idea what team is best. I only watch the games where The Netherlands plays anyway. So yea.

Also gotta love the rivalry between Holland and Germany over this. We actualy have orange SS helmets and an orange Hitler mustage by means of entertainment material .

Pictures:

[Statikk HDM]

Soccer sucks to watch, I'd rather watch the 'Canes crush Edmonton or the NBA Finals, or hell, just about anything that isn't soccer.

[Abecrazy]

I know it's beyond all hopes to hope that America does well.
I think Brazil will win purely because they are crazy players that are extremely talented.
I also hope that England will do well.

[Rich]

Well, England've won their first game, but the performance wasn't exactly brilliant.

[Havoc]

1 - 0, not to bad. Especialy not since the first goal fas after only 3 minutes .

[Mojo]

I think *hic* (Too much booze :P) that....


I have no idea who will become World Champion. All I know is that The Netherlands *hic* have a good chance...

Scuse me, I'm drunk :P

[Havoc]

Well we won the first game! 1 - 0! Whoo

[Statikk HDM]

I take it all back.
Juicy was brilliant between the pipes. The last 3 saves he made blew my 'effin' mind.
Go Oilers!
Well, I did watch a game. Trinidad Vs. Sweden. Some dirty play, the goalie for Trinidad really put on a show, too. It ain't no hockey, but its alright.

[OANST]

I live in America. We would rather die than acknowledge that soccer is a sport that anyone other than high school girls play.

[Statikk HDM]

I live in Wisconsin so there is nothing to do.
I can't believe a hyped up 5 seed got their asses beaten by the CZECH 'EFFIN REPUBLIC!

[Slig_Cake]

Um before I post the game I think you should know (Statikk) that the Czech Republic unlike the Americans are a footballing nation with a proud history of it. They also have a very strong team this year and are ranked 2 behind Brazil (even though they are not favoured for the cup). 1990 Czech Republic actually beat you 5-1.

Now for those of you Australians that didn't watch the game (shame on you all), this is basically what happened.

1st HALF

Australia were dominant in the early stages of the game having a few good attempts on goal in the first 15 minutes. Yet none of them could score against the Japanese goal keeper, and Japan were still looking good in the counter attack. The Japanese had said before the game that the Australians used a lot of aggresive tactics and made a lot of bad tackles that wern't being picked up and that this was how they intimidated the opposition. Not sure if this had an affect on the referree but he was calling some VERY soft fouls going against Australia and by the end of the match we had 4 yellow cards for arguing against these soft free kicks. Even the British commentator said he was trying to remain neutral, but a lot of things were certainy going Japan's way.

Then unexpectedly Nakamora (spell?) struck outside the box. (This might sound biased) The Japanese went up and one of them infringed the Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwartzer and the ball went in. The Australians appealed but the goal was given much to the anger of the Australian crowd (i think i heard chants of 'You are a wanker'). The Japanese player didn't make very aggresive contact with the Australian goalkeeper, but he was in a very bad position and not very close to the ball.

This took the wind out of the Australian sails and they were not as good for the rest of the half.

Half time: Japan 1 - Australia 0

2nd HALF

In the next half, master Australian coach, Guus Hiddink played more aggresivley with the strikers by changing the formation. This was his plan if Australia were to be level or down at half time. Australia created many chances but didn't seem confident in front of goal. Guus put on Kennedy to add some height in the striker zone and Cahill and Aloisi came on aswell. Striker Bresciano came off with an ear infection problem.

By the 70th minute it looked to be all over and the Japanese crowd had begun celebrating while the Australians looked on in hope. But we still had a lot of the possession and created many chances, but to Japans credit the goal keeper stood very strong.

In the 84th minute Australia had a throw in. We made a long throw into the box and the Japanese goalkeeper came out in a very bad position and missed the ball completely. There was confusion but Australia kept composed and Cahill sweetly struck the ball into the net to kick Australia's first ever world cup goal.

The Australians all of a sudden played another level up and became very enthusiastic about their game. They knew a draw had saved a bad defeat but to qualify from this round they would need a win. In the 89th minute the Cahill again took the ball outside the box and pounded it into the right crossbar and it slammed in. 2-1 Australia.

All hopes were now on Australia not letting in an embarrassing goal to ruin their comeback. But this fear was soon extinguished when the Australians brought the ball down on the counter attack, John Aloisi one of the heroes from the Australian-Uruguay qualifying game took the ball, beat two defenders and finished the goal with great skill in injury time. With one more minute to be played it was all over and the Australians had won a great victory 3-1.


Now the Australians skills arn't all that great like Brazil's, but this has been a great step for Australian soccer. I don't care wether you like soccer or not, if you're Australian you could not watch that game and not be pumped by the end of it. I know i was

[Mojo]

And The Netherlands strike again!

Well, Hiddink did, anyways. Heh, maybe the same as last time happens.
A "weak" country making it to the semi-finals. Like South Korea did (also coached by Guus Hiddink).

[Slig_Cake]

Hmm well if Australia go through to second round they could play Italy first up, the same team South Korea played in the second round.

Although I think Australia has a stronger team then the South Koreans of 2002, I doubt we'll make the semis. But Guus Hiddink is a genius and has laid great foundations for Australian soccer. I'm sure he'll do well for Russia when he coaches them.

[Nate]

I surprised myself and actually stayed up to watch the Oz vs Japan match last night. I kinda tuned in and out but those last ten minutes had me jumping out of my seat.

Totally kick-arse!

[Ninjaxe]

I was disappointed that japan got beat. o well south korea to support for.
I would keep watching for England. See if they might have a slight chance. More OGs from opposite teams

[Slig_Cake]

lol, give your team some credit at least. That was easily Beckhams goal, the deflection it took in no way contributed to it going in. It was a great kick and shows why Beckham is the number one Anglo spot taker.

[Statikk HDM]

Yeah, well, I just won 50 bucks on the single most electric 4th quarter comeback in basketball that I've ever seen. Ever.
I needs to get me a Wade fathead for my room like yesterday.

[Wolfpac]

Go Aussies Go.
Now I just glad we won. Yes I hope Australia makes it into the 2nd Round but to be honest I don't care if we lose our next two matches. I'm happy with the win we have. At least this will prove that we can actually play football and that we are not just there to make up the numbers.

[Software Bug]

Come On England
I hope England will win, My whole room is decorated with England stuff like flags and shirts and posters, my friends at school get mad when I wear England shirts :P

[Statikk HDM]

You pull for Miami and Edmonton and I'll pull for England.
Do it fo' 'Lo, yo.

[Software Bug]

54 minutes into the game and I finaly got my laptop working in front of my television.
Will update every thing worth updating

England 1 - 0 Trinidad

54 minutes passed, England is not finishing good shots, 0-0
55 minutes passed, 35 minutes remaining, 0-0
58 minutes passed, Wayne rooney is going to play, 0-0
60 minutes passed, backham ruined a free kick, 0-0
60 minutes passed, 30 minutes remaining, 0-0
62 minutes passed, england 16 shots trinidad 5 shots, 0-0
65 minutes passed, 25 minutes remaining, 0-0
68 minutes passed, beatifull shot for Crouch, but he didn't scored, 0-0
70 minutes passed, dangerous moment for england, 0-0
70 minutes passed, 20 minutes remaining, 0-0
72 minutes passed, bad kick from beckham in his free kick, 0-0
73 minutes passed, lampard shot over the goal, 0-0
75 minutes passed, 15 minutes remaining, 0-0
75 minutes passed, good chance for trinidad, 0-0
76 minutes passed, very good action from england, keeper catched the ball, 0-0
77 minutes passed, very good shot from lampard, 0-0
78 minutes passed, dangerous shot from trinidad, 0-0
80 minutes passed, 10 minutes remaining, 0-0
81 minutes passed, corner for england missed, 0-0
82 minutes passed, ENGLAND SCORES!!!, 1-0
84 minutes passed, corner trinidad, 1-0
85 minutes passed, 5 minutes remaining, 1-0
90 minutes passed, ENGLAND SCORES AGAIN!!!, 2-0
90 minutes passed, only extra time remaining, 2-0
Match passed, ENGLAND WON!!!, 2-0

Here ends my updating, Congrats all guys who support England and good night! I have one thing left for you guys, Its me dressed up today.

[Rich]

Oh God. How good was John Terry for England? That moment in the first half was pants-crappingly scary!

[Slig_Cake]

I stayed up to watch that game at my mates, nearly an embarrasing draw. I guess after the first goal Trinidad thought bugger it, we can't draw 0-0 now let them have another.

Australia to play Brazil in a few days time and word on the street is Brazil are going to rest their entire team and just play Ronaldinho. He will score early enough to put them up 1-0, yet should he get sent off early, we're still a chance for a 1-1 draw...

[Software Bug]

Holland tonight I think its gonna be very though for them...

[Havoc]

Can I hear some lions roar?! 2 - 1 baby ROAR!

[Statikk HDM]

Shit, I wanted Trinidad to win.

[Rich]

Crouch is a legend!