World Cup 2006!

[mr_pikachu]

The biggest event in the world of soccer/football is underway! The first games in group play are coming to a close, and the competition is fierce for the right to advance to the final tournament! Some nations like the U.S. are stuggling to live up to their great expectations, while others such as Trinidad & Tobago have already recorded stunning results. But who will advance? The next four weeks will reveal who achieves and who leaves early.

So, what are your thoughts on this year's tournament? Are you cheering for your favorite team? Have a particular player in mind? Planning to watch from home, or go there in person? Or are you even watching at all? Let us know what you have to say!

As an American, I can't help but root for the U.S. So their catastrophic 3-0 loss to the Czechs in their opener was very distressing for me. Hopefully the Italians are as shaky as some commentators have believed. Otherwise, the miracle team from 2002 won't last long in '06.

Also, I'll be updating these standings periodically. So stay tuned to this thread for all your World Cup news!

LAST UPDATE: After Match 36

WORLD CUP STANDINGS - GROUP PLAY

32 teams are divided into eight groups of four. Each team plays all other teams in the same group once, earning 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. The top two teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination tournament. In the event of a tie between teams in a group, the superior team will be determined through a system of tiebreaks. Starting from the first tiebreak, each one will be considered in order until the tie is broken. Any remaining tiebreaks in the list will be irrelevant.

(a) Greater number of points in group
(b) Goal differential in group
(c) Goals scored in group
(d) Head-to-head result
(e) Head-to-head goal differential
(f) Goals scored head-to-head
(g) Drawn lots

Group A Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Germany 3 3 0 0 8 2 6 9 FINAL
2 Ecuador 3 2 0 1 5 2 3 6 FINAL
3 Poland 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3 FINAL
4 Costa Rica 3 0 0 3 3 9 -6 0 FINAL


Group B Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 England 3 2 1 0 5 2 3 7 FINAL
2 Sweden 3 1 2 0 3 2 1 5 FINAL
3 Paraguay 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 3 FINAL
4 Trinidad & Tobago 3 0 1 2 0 4 -4 1 FINAL



Group C Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Argentina 2 2 0 0 8 1 7 6 Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro, Netherlands
2 Netherlands 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6 Serbia & Montenegro, Ivory Coast, Argentina
3 Ivory Coast 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0 Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro
4 Serbia & Montenegro 2 0 0 2 0 7 -7 0 Netherlands, Argentina, Ivory Coast


Group D Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Portugal 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6 Angola, Iran, Mexico
2 Mexico 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4 Iran, Angola, Portugal
3 Angola 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1 Portugal, Mexico, Iran
4 Iran 2 0 0 2 1 5 -4 0 Mexico, Portugal, Angola


Group E Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Italy 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4 Ghana, United States, Czech Republic
2 Czech Republic 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3 United States, Ghana, Italy
3 Ghana 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 Italy, Czech Republic, United States
4 United States 2 0 1 1 1 4 -3 1 Czech Republic, Italy, Ghana


Group F Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Brazil 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6 Croatia, Australia, Japan
2 Australia 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3 Japan, Brazil, Croatia
3 Croatia 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1 Brazil, Japan, Australia
4 Japan 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1 Australia, Croatia, Brazil


Group G Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Switzerland 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4 France, Togo, South Korea
2 South Korea 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4 Togo, France, Switzerland
3 France 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 Switzerland, South Korea, Togo
4 Togo 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0 South Korea, Switzerland, France


Group H Standings GP W D L GS GA GD P OPP
1 Spain 2 2 0 0 7 1 6 6 Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
2 Ukraine 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3 Spain, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia
3 Tunisia 2 0 1 1 3 5 -2 1 Saudi Arabia, Spain, Ukraine
4 Saudi Arabia 2 0 1 1 2 6 -4 1 Tunisia, Ukraine, Spain



Legend
GP: Number of Games Played
W: Number of Wins
L: Number of Losses
D: Number of Draws
GS: Goals Scored
GA: Goals Scored Against
GD: Goal Differential (GS - GA)
P: Points
OPP: Opponents (already played opponents grayed out)
Bolded teams have clinched advancement.
Bolded and italicized teams have clinched first place in their group.
Struckthrough teams have been eliminated from contention for advancement.

Teams Advancing (9, 7 spots left)
Ecuador
Germany
England
Argentina
Netherlands
Portugal
Brazil
Spain
Sweden


Teams Eliminated (8, 8 spots left)
Poland
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Iran
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago


Remaining Teams (15)
Mexico
Angola
Italy
Czech Republic
Ghana
United States
Australia
Croatia
Japan
South Korea
France
Switzerland
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
Ukraine



TOURNAMENT BRACKET

[Dark Dragonite]

I'm an American...now that I have said that...
I think maybe if we want to win, we should wait for the women, Mia Hamm rocks!!
I say go England, hope they have Beckham playing, I got an England 2006 soccer jersey at Good Will(a thrift store)

[phaedrus]

i predict czech vs brasil in the final, with the brasils pulling through.

[Little_Pikachu]

I'm not going to suddenly start pretending I like the football just because the world cup is on, because I don't, but it's the best chance I'll get to say 'my country will beat your country' when a war isn't involved.

England, what can I say... When the only reason you win against Paraguay is due to an own goal, the future doesn't look too bright. I think we'll be out after the second heats. Having said that I really don't know how good Paraguay are supposed to be, I just know you don't generally associate them in terms of football with the likes of Brazil and Argentina.

I think I'll put £1 on Saudi Arabia to win. I wonder what those odds are.

[Alucard]

I can't stand Football. It's such a boring game where talentless morons play with a lil ball and get payed thousands for doing so. I hope England lose, and judging by the first game, they will.

Maybe then everybody will stop kissing Rooney's ass and treating him like a god and all those stupid ass England flags I keep seeing on houses and cars of retarded chavs will be taken off. But most importantly, there'll be no more football bullshit on Tv. That is, untill shitty tennis starts..

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Brazil are the favourites to take home their sixth title and I bet they will despite their thin margin win 1- 0 against Croatia in their maiden match. They have a immensly talented squad, full of attacking players like Kaka, Ronaldino, Ronaldo, Robino and others.

However I do wish for a England and Brazil final. Reason being that I am an English Premier League fan and unlike the Serie A and La Liga, the games at EPL is more physical and fast counter attacking. Yes they may be disappointing in that match against Paraguay, I do doubt that Sven will take that lying and he will probably do some tactical changes in his next game against Trinidad & Tobago.

[Kris]

England played badly but in the end we got the points so I guess we need to work on that next time...

Brazil were terrible last night and their goal was extremely lucky, I believe Croatia deserved a win on that one.

From what Ive seen Germany could go on to do quite well!

[MToolen]

I'm currently in favor of Germany. Those Deutschers seem to be doing quite well.

This doesn't mean I like football, though. It was just on at the time and it's something to talk about.

[Dark Dragonite]

I seem to remember something from last year, I think, may have been 2 years ago, and it may have been the olympics, not the World Cup, but I thought I remembered hearing a player got kicked off the team(Ireland?) for calling his coach a wanker.

Anyone else remember this, and could give a little refresher to me?

[mr_pikachu]

I believe that was Roy Keane. He was actually the captain of the Irish team before he quit the team. The big argument with coach Mick McCarthy had to do with the quality of the team's training facilities.

On that note, a Bloomberg article from April 13 explains that he wanted to play for Ireland once more. Of course, they failed to qualify for the World Cup this year.

By the way, I've updated the standings again to reflect the first two games in Group H. I'll just continue updating the standings at the top of this thread (rather than reposting them each time) so that everyone has easy access to them.


EDIT: Holy cow! Germany finally takes advantage of the foolish red card (75') by Poland's Sobolewski by breaking the scoreless tie in stoppage time! Boruc made some incredible saves in the last 15 minutes of regulation, but he finally faltered when it mattered most. So the hosts remain perfect in group play thanks to a brilliant setup and Neuville's shot.

[Silver Ledian]

I'm rooting for Spain, the famous underachievers of the footballing tournament world. Always make it to the competitions, never achieve what they can. So yip, I've kinda developed an affinity for all things Spanish since I started learning Spanish bout 8 years ago so I'm going for them - and a great start to their competition as they beat Ukraine 4-0 today, with a few spectacular goals

As long as England don't win I'm happy. I think almost every other nation in the world agrees lol, dunno why no one likes the English team but personally I just get sick of hearing every 4 years (actually every 2, when the European championchip comes round) how they are going to win it and how they've the best team / how Rooney is God / how they've never been so strong - unfortunately I'm subject to British tabloids and tv which is full of all this tripe. A section of the news is dedicated to Wayne Rooney's foot condition every night fs. Oh, and get over '66...kinda boring now.

[woz]

ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY

[Silver_Persian]

ahahaha Australia is beating Brazil at thw world cup!!!111!!!


This is totally going to last.... ;(

[mr_pikachu]

In just under 15-and-a-half hours, the U.S. will face off against Italy in a crucial game. If they want to have any realistic hope of making it to the round of 16, they must at least draw.

(Technically, they could advance even with a loss to Italy and a win against Ghana, at least from a mathematical standpoint. If Italy scored the maximum nine points by defeating the Czechs in their final group game, and the remaining three teams - the U.S., the Czech Republic, and Ghana - each had 1 win and 2 losses, then the tiebreaker would be the goal differential. This could occur by the following means: Italy wins all three games. In the remaining games, the Czech Republic beats the U.S., Ghana beats the Czech Republic, and the U.S. beats Ghana. Then if the U.S. had a better goal differential than the Czechs or Ghana, they would advance. But the odds against this are so bad that, realistically, the United States must win.

...By the way, the first of those "example games" in the set of three has already occured. That doesn't make the odds of the other two happening any better.)

This will be the true test for the U.S. team to see if they have learned from their mistakes. A win would put them back in legitimate position for advancement; a draw would at least keep some hope alive. But they cannot afford to lose this match, and Arena's team knows it.

[Crazy Elf Boy]

LOL Australia will so win

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Actually Mr Pikachu, I do not see any realistic chance of US qualifying for the last 16. Judging from Italy's performance against Ghana in which they won 2 -0, the United States would have to perform exceptionally well if they want to overcome powerhouse Italy.

In any case, I will be watching this big one tonight and I am predicting an Italy win with similiar scoreline when they won Ghana, 2-0.

[Ultimate Charizard]

I have to agree with all this OTT Rooney stuff, you gotta wonder what the other players think about it. Im sure theyre releived it takes the spotlight away from them but then saying our team isnt good enough without him?
Im sure the media try to sabotage us anyway they can.

Saying that though i DO beleive England have a fantastic chance. Its the first time weve been able to say we have World Class players in every position for a long time. Lennon proved himself when he came on against T&T, Gerrard finally woke up and Lampard was starting to look more Dangerous. As long as we dont let out defence slip we can be a threat. Oh and by the way, its looking very likely that were gonna get the Germans in the first knockout round.
If were not going to win the Tournament, we at least have to beat them.

BTW can anyone else explain to me how the U.S are ranked #5 in the world by FIFA?

[Magmar]

I'd like to see the Czech Republic win for personal reasons.

[Dark Dragonite]

not looking good, pope just got red carded...so we're down 2 men, italy down 1, and the only reason for the tie right now, is an own goal by Zaccardo...

[mr_pikachu]

What is going on with the referees in U.S. v. Italy?! The first red card is the right call. You throw an elbow into someone's face, you get tossed for the cheap shot. But the second was barely a yellow! While the third was maybe a yellow, and maybe it was Pope's fault for not being more careful... well, frankly, there are just way too many calls being made. As odd as it sounds, sometimes you've just got to let the players go out and play the game. Whether it's cards, fouls, offsides... heck, Italy's been called for countless offsides that haven't been there!

Ridiculous. The U.S. is down nine men to ten, and with all the stupid calls, they can't really hope to do anything to mount an attack. When you get called for a foul for bumping into someone, how are you supposed to overcome such a deficit?


EDIT: Despite all sorts of holes all over the field (thanks to the three red cards), the game still ended in a 1-1 tie. Soon after the third ejection, the referee apparently did indeed decide to let the players play the game. So he barely made any calls for the rest of the game - this time, even when he should've! Going from one extreme to another is also horrid, although to be frank, the moron had done enough damage already. That's one of the worst called games that I've ever seen. Let the guy ref 10-year-olds, when parents will sue if you don't make those calls.

By the way, there's a little backstory behind the ref. He was one of four referees in the 2002 World Cup who was suspended from that competition (yes, as a referee!) for irregular calls. At the very least, this game was horribly, horribly called. As the old saying goes, "Players win games, coaches lose games, and referees ruin games."

[Gavin Luper]

CARN THE AUSSIES!

Heheh. I hope we beat Croatia. But if we don't, I hope Croatia somehow win the cup. I have $64 on Croatia to win (not cause I picked them, it was a world cup sweep at work).

The hilarious thing in Australia is that usually the World Cup barely causes a stir at all, except in the lives of diehard soccer fans and migrants ... you get the idea. You'd probably hear about it once or twice in the sports section of the news; very few people would care.

Suddenly the Socceroos qualify and everyone jumps on the band wagon. It's ridiculous; just about every ad on TV has something on about the world cup, and some losers are trying to call it 'football'. (I know that's what it's called almost everywhere, but in Australia it is always called soccer (football=AFL), so it just sounds pretentious.

Go the roos!

[Ultimate Charizard]

Thats the wierd thing.
Football in England is Soccer.
Football in America is ....well American Football
Football in Australia is Rugby

Im in England and im a Die Hard Rugby Leage fan. But it always seems wierd when the Aussie Coaches/players call it Footie.

[Venasaur89]

Well the Argentine vs Holland is next up.....I think argentine gonna win 2-1

[Silencer]

Hard to predict Holland vs Argentina. Both are gonna play with half B-teams. Atleast that was what the paper said, to spare the players with yellow cards (can't take risks right?)

Anyway. I'm hoping Ghana is gonna qualify for the second round. They have brought the most attractive football/soccer so far. They could have beaten Czech with 0-5 or something but Cech(the goalie) just caught everything, besides 2 :p

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] It ends up 0 - 0. Luckily I did not catch the match, I have also heard that the match was pretty boring. And looking from the goal drought, I guess they were right.

As for Ghana, I hope they win the US since they had shown the world that they deserve that last 16 spot than US by beating the Czechs 2 - 0. US on the other hand could only manage a 1 - 1 draw with Italy. However should the match between stays as draw, and Czechs and Italy draws. The two european powerhouses will go through!

[phaedrus]

[b][size=3]
As for Ghana, I hope they win the US since they had shown the world that they deserve that last 16 spot than US by beating the Czechs 2 - 0. US on the other hand could only manage a 1 - 1 draw with Italy. However should the match between stays as draw, and Czechs and Italy draws. The two european powerhouses will go through!

realize that the US played the last half outnumbered and still didn't get scored on. either Italy sucked ass the second half, or the US didn't half-ass that half. most would prefer the latter, however.

i would like to see Ghana win the match, either way.

[Gavin Luper]

Thats the wierd thing.
Football in England is Soccer.
Football in America is ....well American Football
Football in Australia is Rugby

Ack! No! Wrong!

Only rugby-obsessed losers call rugby "footy".

When Australians talk about football, it almost always means footy - as in AFL. Australian Rules Footy. Not Rugby.

*dies*

[Ultimate Charizard]

Ah i see. That game that i just cant figure out.
Its like a bunch of Rugby players couldnt find a Rugby pitch so played on a Cricket field instead. And Rugby Obsessed Losers?
Watch your words lol. All the Aussies i hear over here call it Footie.

[Silver_Persian]

Yay Australia is in the final sixteen!!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] The Aussies are so lucky! They got through with a scrappy 2 - 2 draw with Croatia. All thanks should go to none other than the Liverpool midfielder, Harry Kewell. He has been tormented by injuries these past few years and I certainly hope this goal will stark his comeback to his peak!

However for tonight, we have a tricky fixture here with South Korea, Asia's last hope, against the Swiss and lack-lustre France against knocked- out Togo. Except for Togo, all three other opponents looked certain to qualify should they take their chances seriously.

[Silencer]

The Swiss have enough with a tie since their Goal differential will be higher then Korea. But depending on France Korea will also have enough.

Swiss through with: Win/Tie
Korea through with: Win/Tie if France loses or ties/Tie if France wins with just 1 goal
Frace through with: Win with 2 goals if Swiss-Korea ties/Win if Swiss or Korea loses

But if France wins with 2-1 they have equal amount of goals scored and against Korea and they tied it will have to be a lot draw I think
But if France wins with 3-2, France goes through

Pretty confusing group.

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] My predictions for this group would be a Korea and Swiss draw and a French loss. A draw between Swiss and Koreans is predictable and I hope the French loses just because they played with no teamwork even though they are a squads with talents. Togo on the other hand had nothing but pride to play for.

[Venasaur89]

the portugal vs holland was a amazing match .... I really felt sorry for Ronaldo.....the match was full of cards...but Maniche's goal was wonderful... I hope Portugal beats England in quarter final

[Dark Dragonite]

I predicted the college basketball winner, NBA winner(Go Heat), and I used to be good with Hockey, Baseball, and Football predictions...

Round of 16:
Spain > France
Brazil > Ghana
Italy > Austrailia (How the hell did that happen, damn cheaters!! I know, I dated one)
Switzerland > Ukraine

Quarters:
Germany > Argentina
Switzerland > Italy
England > Portugal
Brazil > Spain

Semis:
Germany > Switzerland
England > Brazil

Finals:
England > Germany
The anticlimactic finish, revenge for the Brits...

EDIT: Italy cheated, like my ex...

[Ultimate Charizard]

[b]THE AUSTRALIANS WERE ROBBED!!!!

Plain and simple. There was no way that was a penalty. Typical diving, cheating italians. I thought they were trying to stamp that out of the World Cup this year!

Oh and DD. Thanks for the Faith in England but we really need to start playing as well as we can to beat Brazil. On yesterdays form we wouldnt stand a Chance. Were just lucky Rooney is almost fully fit with all the Striker problems we have.
(ps: never call England 'the Brits'. You'll have Welsh, Irish, and Definitely the Scottish fans coming to Garrotte you )

[Dark Dragonite]

Yeah, with Owens out, it will be hard...but, Beckham came through in the end, then promptly vomitted on the field, lol...

[Ultimate Charizard]

Well it was reported he was 'dehydrated' and wasnt feeling well at the start of the game. Fair play to him that he played for so long, and on the hottest day of the Year so far.
And i dont think anyone can argue there a few Free Kick takers better than him. That Goal was placed as tightly as possible. An Inch either way and it wouldnt have gone in.

[Dark Dragonite]

I don't mean any discredit to him, I think he's one of the best players in the world(no offense to Rooney)m hell they made a movie with a title based on his free kick ability..."Bend It Like Beckham" incase you didn't know.

[Ultimate Charizard]

I wasnt meaning any offence lol. Nah i thought it was funny as hell that he started throwing up after he scored.

The joke in the pub was that he'd just heard what Victoria had planned for the celebrations later

[Heald]

Switzerland/Ukraine was officially the most boring match ever. Even the commentators were saying that.

O wells.