Preserved Topic: World Cup, Part III (spoilers ahead!) (Page 1 of 3)

Continued from here.

A little less than four hours to the US-Korea match... should be an interesting one.

Interestingly enough, the best outcome for Korea (outside of three wins, of course) is to draw their next two games. If they beat the US and then lose to Portugal, the US beats Poland, and Portugal wins its next two games, then we end up with three teams at 2-1-0, and the team with the lowest goal differential goes out. If they lose to the US and then beat Portugal, it would technically be possible to again end up with three 2-1-0 teams, if Poland won their next two games. If, however, they draw with both the US and Portugal, though, they are guaranteed at least second place in the group (first if the US loses to Poland). Of course just winning all three games would be the safest bet, but oddly enough no one here seems to consider that as a possibility, despite all the euphoria over the first win. To be honest, though, I would have to agree; the US stands a much better chance of getting three wins, and in reality Korea still has quite a fight left to qualify. It will all become much clearer after today's match, though.

I think things are looking up for the US in this match, though. As far as momentum goes, the US has the upper hand, having beaten the top team in the group, whereas Korea only beat their weakest (on paper) opponent. The weather also seems to be cooperating. The last friendly that the US lost to Korea was played in the rain--for some reason the Korean side seems to do well on a wet pitch. However, it is cloudy, and the temp in Daegu is only 20 now (as opposed to 24 in Seoul), so it doesn't look like we'll have heat to worry about either (heat is another thing the Korean side handles well). Also, Reyna is back, and Mathis is recovered, so we'll be fielding a stronger side than the one that beat Portugal. Korea had some minor injuries in their match, but nothing to prevent anyone from playing, so they'll have the same side.

That being said, I can't remember the last time a US-Korea match was decided by more than one goal. It's going to be hard fought, that's for sure. While I would like to see the US win, of course, I would be more than satisfied with a draw, considering my unique position (married to an ardent supporter of the other side). Now let's see if I can get some work done before the game starts...

[Edit: Heh, Mr. Anal Retentive Man just noticed a very minor error...]



Cell 270

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

Huh, I knew you were in Korea and assumed you were a Korean, my bad, so we're rooting for the same side then. I was gonna be all noble and wish you luck =)

Should be a fantastic game. I saw Korea doing things against Poland that really impressed me. Especially around the box, trying almost anything if within range. Hiddink's had a massive influence, he's gotta be loving the team as compared to the Dutch, dedicated, and ego free, putty in his hands.

US on the other hand, I thought they played about par for the course as of late, which is getting to be pretty good these days, but I wonder if Portugal wasn't just sucking badly on that day. Hard to decipher that result, we didn't give them much room and they gave us a lot. Korea won't give us anything.

I might actually stay up to watch this one live

My eyes are gonna be burning in the morning.

Wakkos! Chilavert is a mediocre free kick taker yes?
:P Olé Paraguay, now go home :P

Jason

There is no way in hell that POland will win any of those games...

They looked like uuhhmm excuse my French here.. shit on the field...



MAX

JK: I think we definitely started to lose steam in the second half of the Portugal match. Reyna has been emphasizing ball control because the Koreans don't put pressure on the ball, and he's right. The Koreans don't put nearly as much pressure on the ball as Portugal did, so if we can keep the ball and play like we played in the first half of the Portugal match, we should be fine.

On Korean TV they're hanging their hopes on Korea scoring the first goal. They seem to perceive Korea as the underdog in the match (which they are, on paper), but they know that the US has won 0% of their matches after giving up the first goal. Korea do have that quick strike capability, but I think if we can keep the ball and hold them off for the first ten or fifteen minutes (or even score--we also have quick strike capability), then the rest of the game will be easier. Korea play well with a lead because they don't sit on it, yet they usually don't do anything rash, but when they're behind they tend to get anxious. I think they might have better comeback capability than the US, though.

Ducati: Hey, don't get so down. Maybe Poland will turn things around and whip Portugal! Stranger things have happened (eg. Senegal-France).

[Edit: Crap. It's started to rain a bit here in Seoul. It still says cloudy in Daegu... oh, please don't rain.]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

yeah but Poland laid 3 good nutshots on the Koreans that I recall, hopefully they are still tentative, if not swollen

I don't put a lot of confidence in stats, anything can happen on any given day, even at this level. This game is art to me, I try not to over analyze, I just enjoy it, usually, unless the US is playing =) If they are playing I feel compelled to actually root for a side and they often make it hard to root for them. I usually root for the Italians and Dutch as well, that's a little easier tho, they win more.

I should have taken a nap, 1 hour to kickoff and my eyes are fuzzy already...

I dunno who does the commentary in Korea but Ty Keough on ESPN2 is a bonehead, I wish they'd dump that fella.

Jason

Man, I remember the old good days (well I was a little kid) when Poland was really good. Now with all that crap that happened over there, the whole soccer sport went down the drain. I was reading some interviews that were made long time ago with some top polish players and they said that sometimes the already knew who will win and what scores were before the game even started! Everything just got corrupted..

Yeah can't really look at the stats...I was reading that Poland was suppose to give Korea a soccer lesson..well looks like Poland got a lesson! LOL

We'll see..

I think they are pretty much out...

MAX

Well, the match has started. It's pouring here in Seoul, but no sign of rain in Daegu. The temp is only 25, too, but for some reason the Korean commentators think that this will give the Koreans the advantage. They also said that if they play as well as they did against Poland, they will surely win. We'll see about that, I suppose.

For some strange reason, my wife has insisted on watching the game with me. I cannot honestly see how this is a good idea...

Well, the match has started much as I expected, with Korea putting the pressure on. I wish the US would get in their groove and start playing, though. This is getting nerve-wracking. They are definitely not controlling the ball.

[Edit: But they did just then! 1-0 US! Wooohoo!]

[Edit: Am I the only one watching this match?]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

Go USA!!! Wooohoooo!!!

PS - where can I monitor the match on the net??!!?? Give me a link, pleeeaaase!

Oh my God, Fiedel just saved a penalty kick! Woohoo!

WS, the link you want is here.

[Edit: Click on the blinking "matchcast" next to the game.]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

Thanks a bundle, suho...here, peacepipe *toke, toke*

Go USA!!!

*Dreads the second half...* C'mon, boys, hold it together!!!

[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 06-10-2002).]

1-0 USA at Half!

*toke, toke*

Ah, thanks man! I'm starting to feel good. Of course, that penalty kick save didn't hurt either.

My analysis of the first half: I think it went pretty much the way I had hoped (see my second post above). The Koreans came out strong, and with a combination of defense, poor shooting by the Koreans, and luck, we held them off until we scored the first goal. After that we looked a lot better, except for that defensive breakdown that led to the penalty kick. Fortunately, Fiedel guessed right and the kick wasn't a rocket (and Lee Cheonsu missed the rebound, too). I think that will definitely be a critical point in this game.

That being said, there ae still ways we can improve in the second half. We definitely need to control the ball a little better, and making more shooting chances is obviously a priority. We may end up winning 1-0, but it's not a good idea to try to sit on that one goal. The Koreans may be down, but they are no where near being out.

On the domestic front, my wife was pretty peeved about the US goal, but she's taking it pretty well. She also doesn't know football as well as I do, so I'm able to explain to her what's going on. It's rough, though, sitting next to the opposing team's cheering section. Let's see how the second half goes.

[What did I say? Don't sit on the goal. This was going to happen sooner or later. Now let's not let things get away from us.]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-10-2002).]

NOOOO! 1-1! That can't be happening...c'mon USA!

Well, that's all she wrote, folks. We could have won it, but I'll take a draw. A draw is actually better for the US than Korea, since the US faces Poland while Korea faces Portugal. More importantly, though, is my situation here. Since Korea didn't lose, I don't have to worry about that. And since the US didn't lose, I don't have to feel bad about that either.

Next up is Portugal-Poland tonight. That will definitely be one to watch. If Portugal wins, then Korea needs at least a draw with Portugal to have a chance. If Poland wins, then Korea still needs at least a draw. If they only get a draw, though, they will have to hope that the US beats Poland. Obviously a win today would have been better for Korea's chances, but a draw keeps them well in the running. Of course, a loss to Portugal will probably mean the end of their run.

Of course, I'm counting on the fact that the US will beat Poland by a good margin, which should give the US a shot at the first spot. As we have seen, though, anything can happen, and this one is going to go down to the wire.

Well, it was definitely an exciting game at least. The last ten minutes my wife kept yelling, "Please just end in a draw!" Now that the game is over, though, she's saying, "Oh, we should have won." Funny stuff.

phew.

I thought before the game that Korea was the better team. Ithought at half time that we could win. At full time I was hapy with the draw.

I think we'll go to the round of 16, this is very good.

zzzzzzzz

Jason

*mutters under breath* Dang it!!! I really wanted the US to win....*sigh* Oh, well, a draw isn't bad, considering the second half...

You know, I'm starting to notice a pattern in our matches. I think we can call it "playing the second half like a bunch of wusses." Why is it that when we get a lead we let the other team get back into it? What happened to the ball control Reyna was talking about? I just wasn't seeing it.

There was also something during the match that really pissed me off, and has gotten me secretly hoping Korea will lose against Portugal. I don't know if anyone saw it, but after An Jeonghwan scored the tying goal he went over to the corner and did his best imitation of a skater. In case you've forgotten, there was a big stink over Ohno winning the gold when a Korean skater was disqualified, and what An was basically saying was "This is payback for Ohno." Talk about showing your maturity level. You see, with the Koreans, it's never about the sport at hand, it's about national pride and having to prove something to the rest of the world (Korea as a nation has the biggest inferiority complex you've ever seen, although not without reason). I understand that everyone gets that way when it comes to the World Cup, but the Koreans are extremely chisahada. The dictionary says that it means "disgraceful" or "shameful," but it really means something more like "petty." It's tough to translate, but it fits perfectly here.

Anyway, I'm just in a bad mood right now over all this crap, and I hope Portugal beats the living snot out of them on Friday. A rotten thing to say, considering the fact that my wife and all my friends would be devastated, but that's kind of the way I feel right now.

If the US had won they would've been doing quite well, and Korea would be in danger of elimination. As it is, the US have put themselves in a position where they need to win the last game. Not that I think we will lose, but who knows what will happen if we keep playing second halves this way. Aarrgh. I'm just in a rotten mood. I probably shouldn't be posting.

Don't feel alone in your disparity...I am learning to hate the second half...GRRRR! Someone needs to kick some serious *** on our boys for the second halves...I hope the trainer scalps'em, but good.

Well, I hope we play better against Poland....there go my WC dreams...still have hope, but....

We are in the same boat as Germany....*shakes head*

Yeah, for once I would like a "refreshing" (siwonhan) victory in our match against Poland. To be honest with you, though, I don't see us as being in real danger of not making the round of 16. And I would be very pleased if both the US and Korea went through (um, yeah, despite what I said up there about wanting Korea to lose--I was just blowing off steam).

But you're right. We really do need to play better against Poland. They could turn the tables on us and beat us if we don't have a good second half. And even if we do go through on lackluster play, it doesn't bode well for the next round, does it?

Iuuuhuu!!!

Yeah Jason!!

And Spain were the 1st to get into 8th finals games!

I love this team!!

A sig should be here.....
But is not.

Whoa! Portugal is tearing Poland apart! 4-0! It looks as if the Poles are already on the plane back home. Sorry, Ducati!

My wife is currently trying to figure if a) Poland is not as good as she thought, making the Korean victory mean less, or b) Portugal is a lot better than she thought, making the US victory mean more and painting a bleak picture for Korea's chances. I think she wanted to see a close game, and I would have to say that a close game (a draw even), would have probably been best for Korea in terms of momentum.

Portugal almost scored another--they had the keeper dead to rights, but the shot was too weak and a defender stopped it. Oh well, like it's going to make a difference. Korea is definitely going to have a rough match against Portugal, and I don't think the Polish side is going to have much life against the US (not to mention that losing today means elimination). So it's looking up for us, but this is kind of what I expected (hoped for?).

Well...that's good news...now all that has to happen...US wins against Poland...and Korea goes undecided against Portuagal...and we are underway...

Go Portugal!!!

Man.. lol what a joke that was!! haha...

Good thing they are going home, I am sick of them embarissing themself ...

MAX

Not yet, though--they've still got to embarass themselves one more time!

GO USA

Figo just started to look like he was back in business, remembered how to play all of a sudden. After that shot dinged the post he seemed to play with confidence again, something I'd not seen him do yet in this cup. I was joking with a Portugeuse friend before the cup that I wished Figo's ankle would bother him until just after the first game, then he can play beautifully again, that appears to be just what is happening.

I don't think Portugal has hit the form they were showing at Euro 2000 qualifying and the tournament proper, which could make for a cracker of a game against Korea if they aren't building quickly into stride. I'm telling you, I'm severely impressed with Korea, they are a fantastic side right now, no question in my mind, they can play with any team in the field of 32.

If Figo wakes and they start their peak in the game against Korea, well, Portugal wins then. If they're less than their best, I think Korea has a chance for a point or 3 against them.

As for the US? Man, I've been a fan for too long to be real confident about anything yet where these guys are concerned. Disappointed too many times. They should beat Poland =)

Reading back over that I sound like a friggin sportscaster.
OK, what about Rapaic's outside of the foot touch-volley goal in the Italy game?! Fantastic! That goal was high art, ball had all the backspin in the world on it, every other ball on the planet quit spinning at that very moment in homage to that goal. Reminds me of a goal scored by Hristo Stoichkov against Spain in Euro 96 that was voided for a phantom offside call. These bits of sublime skill are why I watch this game every chance I get. WooHoo!

Pontificating Putz,
Jason

Putz or no, your astute pontificating is appreciated!

I pretty much agree with everything you said. Can Korea beat Portugal? Yes. Will they? Ah, well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? But I predict a good game.

And yes, the US should beat Poland. If they don't, I'm driving to the airport to give them a good beat down before they leave the country...

Heh, I'm watching the France-Denmark game right now. First time I think I've ever rooted for Denmark, and they're up 1-0. If I remember correctly, France has to win by at least two goals to avoid elimination, so they need at least three goals now. I can't imagine this will be easy, considering they haven't scored a single goal yet.

And what the heck is up with Senegal?! They are on fire! I love it!

[Edit: 3-0 Senegal now... at this rate their going to win their group!]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 06-11-2002).]

I am not even going to watch US and Poland game...it will be waste of 90 minutes of my life...

God, can't we have the old awesome team back from 1974 and 1982 back? LOL

MAX

Bye La France!!!
Bye Uruguay!!!


Hello Senegal! Hello Denmark!
I love this game!

hehe.
0-2

YEEEHAAAAAW! I didn't expect this, but it's still great!

kuckus (cell #282)

Watching France versus Danmark in 2002 was just like watching France versus Brazil in 1998. But now, France did the role of Brazil in 1998 (favorite, needed to win, with the best player wounded) and Danmark played the role of France.
I really wanted Danmark to win and they did. Thanks Danmark, you did what Brazil could not in 1998.

So, does this mean we should just give Denmark the Cup and go home?

How about the Germany-Cameroon match? A nice victory for the Germans, but I can't remember the last time I saw that many yellow cards.

I'm wavering back and forth between wanting Korea to beat Portugal and wanting them to get their butts kicked. Generally, I would want them to win, but every time I hear them dis the US on the news I take comfort in the fact that Portugal will probably beat them if they are on their game. And I'll probably feel badly about it, too. But not as badly if the US destroys Poland.

I saw Hiddink on the news and he was talking about how he was glad that Korea was not the type of team to sit back and play off the counterstrike, an obvious dig at the US. I respect Hiddink as a great coach, but cut us some slack here. Like we don't take enough crap from the Europeans already...

Eh, time for bed here. Catch you guys later.

It was better for german to win that game, if not, they will lose against spain next round......

Poor Ireland.

Dangit! Oh, well, the Germans won...I won't go into the details of the game...it's the end result that matters...congrats, Germany (I hope they get Spain as the next opponent...hehe...with a couple of players now under red/double yellow, they won't be playing, and there are also a couple injured...please, please let it be Spain...I'm so tired of hearing 'We are going to be World Champion!' Every 3 seconds here...and of course the riduculous 'And America will lose against Poland, and must go home!'...man, that really gets my goat...at times like this, I really dislike the Germans...)

C'mon US!!! (and if they lose to the Polish....I say we send the whole team straight to Iraq! 'Here Saddam, you can take out your fustration on these guys...')

And yup...France is sent home without a goal...Ouch! Guess there will be a royal 'shake-up' in French soccer...I think a lot of 'oldies' are going to get the boot...and the coach, as well...and as for Zidane....

Way to go Denmark! And Senegal is also further...very nice...

And so is Ireland!

As for Korea...man, they are playing world class football...I think the Portugues will have their hands (feet) full...but should win...if Korea doesn't score first...Portugal has a very lousy game from behind...they just fall apart...should portugal score first, then I believe it will be a blow-out...

Well ENGLAND are finally thropugh to the next round after drawing 0-0 with Nigeria and Argentina drawing 1-1 with Sweden, so - Argentina are out!!!!!!!!!!!! yippeee! and Sweden are through too!


Cheers Aroma

Yep Maa says Yipeeeeeeeeee!

------------------------------------
Thanks,
Allgood
http://geda-online.com

england v's denmark.....

Go Denmark! Sorry England...