OT: World Cup

[intlzncster]

Thanks, I’ll have to look into it. I have heard a lot of support for Yoga; but, have never been sold. Flexibility was never one of my strong points even when I was young. My problem more recently is that I am an old enough now that I have to warm-up or risk injury; but, life does not always afford me the time to really warm-up.

I think Yoga should be used minimally. It should be very 'light', for recovery purposes, not really heavy stretching. Yoga is often essentially static stretching. There's evidence that static stretching lengthens, but weakens the muscles (likely by introducing micro tears), making you more susceptible to strains/tears when playing. Especially when done prior to playing.

Like I said, I scrapped it, and haven't yanked a muscle since.

 

[intlzncster]

Australia leading Holland with 35 minutes to go. Wow.

It's been a fantastic match so far.

The Aussies match up well to the Netherlands. They are very fit, good athletes, and physical (much like the US). They also are very good in the air, which neutralizes the Danes normal advantage there. No one on the pitch is as good in the air as Timmy Cahill.

Speaking of Cahill, an absolutely monstrous strike in the first half off a wonderful cross. Unfortunately for Australia, even if they do take points, Cahill is not playing next game, which kills them.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm not sure how Dempsey is "injury prone," but regardless, he isn't playing a wing. He was playing as the second forward with Jozy. I'm also not sure about Zusi=Mix. Mix is a more central player, and with the current lineup, is probably cover for Bradley. Zusi has been providing width, and crosses well. Beasley has Cup experience, but as a winger, and he's just not there as a defender. I wasn't thrilled with Chandler in the warmup games, but he's been playing RB very well in the Bundesliga. Moving Fabian back to the left and slotting Chandler in at the right would maximize the effectiveness of both players. As far as Wondo goes, he's basically Dempsey without the ball skills. I'm not really sure what he brings to the table.

I really like Zusi. With his service capabilities, I think he should be starting. Wondo is a poacher, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. He's one of those guys with a nose for the goal.

Chandler should stay on the bench imo.

 

[intlzncster]

Penalty! Is this redemption for the Italian Swan dive from 4 years ago???

 

[intlzncster]

YES!!!!!!

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

 

[intlzncster]

Let's keep up the work rate boys! Thoroughly outplaying the Dutch so far. Go the Socceroooooooooos!

 

[intlzncster]

duckck.

 

[intlzncster]

Can't try to dribble out the back. Amateur hour.

 

[upstater]

I swear, Australia is awful at set pieces. Can anyone on the team provide service? They have had many opportunities.

 

[intlzncster]

Double duckck.

What a disastrous turn of events. Should be 3-2 Australia. Frickin keeper shat his pants.

Therein lies the difference between a top shelf squad and a 2nd/3rd tier team. The Dutch finish their chances.

 

[intlzncster]

And just like that, the great Tim Cahill, who should have headed (not chested) that last one in, is finished on the world cup stage. Nice WC career Timmy. Half of all of Australia's all time goals.

 

[intlzncster]

Australia gutted right now. Composure boys. Come now.

 

[CallMeBruce]

And just like that, the great Tim Cahill, who should have headed (not chested) that last one in, is finished on the world cup stage. Nice WC career Timmy. Half of all of Australia's all time goals.

That wasn't Cahill. GameCase has it as Leckie. I'm not sure if that's right, but I can see Cahill in the replay, and he's not the one who took that "shot."

 

[intlzncster]

Man. Gutting loss. I'm going to go get drunk for the Spain game.

 

[BUHusky]

That wasn't Cahill. GameCase has it as Leckie. I'm not sure if that's right, but I can see Cahill in the replay, and he's not the one who took that "shot."

No, it's right, it was Leckie, not Cahill, with the blown "chester". Really brutal turn of events there late for the Aussies.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Man. Gutting loss. I'm going to go get drunk for the Spain game.

definitely not Cahill, appeared to be Lecke live and in the replays, and not the least bit disappointed Aussies at work will be just a bit less loud and arrogant this morning. Glad I got some sleep in earlier as I'd expected to sleep through a big Oranje win. Vamos Los Chilenos!

 

[Dove]

I find it up that the USA plays once in the first 9 days of this tournament.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I'm not sure how Dempsey is "injury prone," but regardless, he isn't playing a wing. He was playing as the second forward with Jozy. I'm also not sure about Zusi=Mix. Mix is a more central player, and with the current lineup, is probably cover for Bradley. Zusi has been providing width, and crosses well. Beasley has Cup experience, but as a winger, and he's just not there as a defender. I wasn't thrilled with Chandler in the warmup games, but he's been playing RB very well in the Bundesliga. Moving Fabian back to the left and slotting Chandler in at the right would maximize the effectiveness of both players. As far as Wondo goes, he's basically Dempsey without the ball skills. I'm not really sure what he brings to the table.

We should try to set-up a call with Klimsmann to discuss our ideas. I wonder if he would politely tell us no thank you or would we learn the German equalivent of F off, LOL.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Looking forward to Chile knocking Spain out of this thing... if possible. Love to see the smug nations eat some humble pie.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Can't try to dribble out the back. Amateur hour.

Watched the game on my laptop at work with a small pop-up screen in case the boss walked by. Saw that play. If a FB has the ball deep and is pressured, launch it, even if it is to no one. I poked a ball away from the other team’s striker last night about 1o yards in front of the net and was immediately pressured by the other striker and had no clear passing lane. I put all my newfound weight behind the clearance and bounced it off roof of the house next door. No one on my team complained. Not sure of the neighbors though, LOL.

By the way, Cahill’s goal was one of the best I have seen. Stone cold killer.

 

[Strummer]

Defender gets ball driven into forearm by ball handler in the box - defender has zero chance of moving arm out of way - and that's penalty kick? That's an awful rule. Ref should have the option of calling it unintentional and something else happens.

 

[upstater]

Spain isn't smug, they are winners. I've been a fan of Spain during this whole run. The players are all pretty classy. Some of these guys defined team ball for a generation. I don't think there are many as well respected as Xabi on the world scene. Granted, Torres or Silva might annoy sometimes, but on the whole, this is a solid team.

Whose reign is apparently at an end.

 

[intlzncster]

I find it up that the USA plays once in the first 9 days of this tournament.

It's absolutely great given Altidore's injury.

 

[intlzncster]

Defender gets ball driven into forearm by ball handler in the box - defender has zero chance of moving arm out of way - and that's penalty kick? That's an awful rule. Ref should have the option of calling it unintentional and something else happens.

He does. It's easy to see on replay but mutch harder in real time. Players are pretty sneaky with hands. See Maradona' s 'hand of god'.

 

[CallMeBruce]

He does. It's easy to see on replay but mutch harder in real time. Players are pretty sneaky with hands. See Maradona' s 'hand of god'.

I was pulling for the Aussies, but that was a pretty awful call. That's ball-to-hand, and the defender's arm was in a natural position (unlike, say, Torsten Frings' was in 2002).

 

[CallMeBruce]

Spain isn't smug, they are winners. I've been a fan of Spain during this whole run. The players are all pretty classy. Some of these guys defined team ball for a generation. I don't think there are many as well respected as Xabi on the world scene. Granted, Torres or Silva might annoy sometimes, but on the whole, this is a solid team.

Whose reign is apparently at an end.

Are you referring to Xavi or Xabi Alonso? Both are great players, but Xavi is the one I'd consider to be among the most widely-respected players in world football. Spain really miss what Puyol and David Villa brought four years ago. Their defense is in shambles, and their finishing is garbage. Iker Casillas, probably the best keeper in the world four years ago, is also a hot mess right now. I'm surprised he got the start today.

 

[upstater]

Are you referring to Xavi or Xabi Alonso? Both are great players, but Xavi is the one I'd consider to be among the most widely-respected players in world football. Spain really miss what Puyol and David Villa brought four years ago. Their defense is in shambles, and their finishing is garbage. Iker Casillas, probably the best keeper in the world four years ago, is also a hot mess right now. I'm surprised he got the start today.

Xavi.

 

[intlzncster]

I was pulling for the Aussies, but that was a pretty awful call. That's ball-to-hand, and the defender's arm was in a natural position (unlike, say, Torsten Frings' was in 2002).

Agreed. The aussies got screwed against the Italians 4 years ago, so they know.

But pk aside the aussies thoroughly outplayed the Dutch most of the match.

 

[auror]

Defender gets ball driven into forearm by ball handler in the box - defender has zero chance of moving arm out of way - and that's penalty kick? That's an awful rule. Ref should have the option of calling it unintentional and something else happens.

There is some leeway with unintentional arm strikes, but if a defender has his arms out and not by his side, it's more likely to be called. You can't use your arms to make yourself "bigger" and block shots.

 

[intlzncster]

Are you referring to Xavi or Xabi Alonso? Both are great players, but Xavi is the one I'd consider to be among the most widely-respected players in world football. Spain really miss what Puyol and David Villa brought four years ago. Their defense is in shambles, and their finishing is garbage. Iker Casillas, probably the best keeper in the world four years ago, is also a hot mess right now. I'm surprised he got the start today.

Xavi didn't even start!