South Africa Confederations Cup 2009

mada999

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

As much as I like Spain, I'm absolutely chuffed to bits for the US side. They were far better over the 90 minutes. Spain were not up to scratch, & when it gets down to the nitty gritty they're not up to it - continue to play passing, no where to go football.

spain looked really narrow on the right hand side....should have put those last few corners into the box....and really dodgy at the back!

Headshot

Liam O wrote: »

They have the same problem as Spain, they are very weak in defense. I feel that they wouldn't make it past the first quality attack they come up against. I dunno, I like Argentina and I feel England could be a good bet now that they have cut a lot of the inconsistencies from their game. Also, on their days, Germany, France and Portugal can beat anyone in world football. Also, Spain can't be discounted although they are constant bottlers in the WC. This is quite a weak Brazil team compared to many past ones and I just feel that other teams have better all round teams than them.

U havent watched france and portugal recently

Mr Alan

Spain are defensively better than Brazil imo.

Headshot

Mr Alan wrote: »

Spain are defensively better than Brazil imo.

U know what im going to say they're more or less equal

Mr Alan

Headshot wrote: »

U know what im going to say they're more or less equal

and i think the world and its mother would agree that spain are miles better in midfield and up front.

Warper

Liam O wrote: »

They have the same problem as Spain, they are very weak in defense. I feel that they wouldn't make it past the first quality attack they come up against. I dunno, I like Argentina and I feel England could be a good bet now that they have cut a lot of the inconsistencies from their game. Also, on their days, Germany, France and Portugal can beat anyone in world football. Also, Spain can't be discounted although they are constant bottlers in the WC. This is quite a weak Brazil team compared to many past ones and I just feel that other teams have better all round teams than them.

Firstly Germany and Portugal have no chance of winning the WC and on their day would not beat the best teams in the world. Portugal are crap, simple as, they wont even make it to the WC next year. Germany are mediocre at best and have no chance of winning the WC. Remember the WC is on in SA and no European team have won it outside out of Europe.

England are all hype. A blind man can see that Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together and Walcott is a dud. Brazil having no defense is about as plausible as when people were saying that Barca have no defense. Brazil's WC record is second to none. I'm getting sick of saying this whatever.

Warper

Mr Alan wrote: »

and i think the world and its mother would agree that spain are miles better in midfield and up front.

Go back Spain then and stfu

Mr Alan

relax there Warper :rolleyes:

not really into betting on football tbh.

Warper

Mr Alan wrote: »

relax there Warper :rolleyes:

not really into betting on football tbh.

Apologies man, getting carried away there for a minute

Headshot

Argentina would be my favourites because i think maradona will be gone soon and they'll get a proper manager in .

mike65

Ooh you are in so much trouble! (no I haven't reported you!)

Warper

mike65 wrote: »

Ooh you are in so much trouble! (no I haven't reported you!)

I think I'm gonna voluntarily put myself up for barring soon - mods bar me now ye shower of c**ts:pac:

Kirby

Warper wrote: »

Firstly Germany have no chance of winning the WC. Germany are mediocre at best and have no chance of winning the WC.

I agree with most of what you said but are you seriously counting out the Germans? Have you never watched tournament football?

LuckyLloyd

Warper wrote: »

Firstly Germany and Portugal have no chance of winning the WC and on their day would not beat the best teams in the world. Portugal are crap, simple as, they wont even make it to the WC next year. Germany are mediocre at best and have no chance of winning the WC. Remember the WC is on in SA and no European team have won it outside out of Europe.

England are all hype. A blind man can see that Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together and Walcott is a dud. Brazil having no defense is about as plausible as when people were saying that Barca have no defense. Brazil's WC record is second to none. I'm getting sick of saying this whatever.

Seems the history of International football and major competitions seems to have passed you by. I stopped reading your post there tbh.

Warper wrote: »

Go back Spain then and stfu

Warper wrote: »

I think I'm gonna voluntarily put myself up for barring soon - mods bar me now ye shower of c**ts:pac:

Easy tiger. If the USA hadn't won me a small fortune in their last two games I would ban you.

Liam O

Warper wrote: »

Firstly Germany and Portugal have no chance of winning the WC and on their day would not beat the best teams in the world. Portugal are crap, simple as, they wont even make it to the WC next year. Germany are mediocre at best and have no chance of winning the WC. Remember the WC is on in SA and no European team have won it outside out of Europe.

England are all hype. A blind man can see that Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together and Walcott is a dud. Brazil having no defense is about as plausible as when people were saying that Barca have no defense. Brazil's WC record is second to none. I'm getting sick of saying this whatever.

So just because nobody has done it before means that it will never happen?

GuanYin

I spent the day celebrating I'm still a lightweight

On the game, USA gave everything, absolutely everything. I would say many of those players gave their career performance BUT Spain sucked inside the 18 yards.

The reminded me of Arsenal on a bad day in some ways, over passing and a terrible final ball and then weak in defense. Some of the passing was weak and sloppy (I stopped counting the number of under-hit passes) and their lack of urgency right up to the final whistle was puzzling.

Still, USA are a much underestimated side, Soccer has really grown in the US and we have some good players. I'd be happy with a good performance against Brazil.... hey, we're in the Final ahead of Italy and Spain.....I'm already happy.

_blank_

Ramos is a disgrace to defending. An absolute disgrace.

fillmore jive

Des wrote: »

Ramos is a disgrace to defending. An absolute disgrace.

"Like Paul McShane on steroids."

Headshot

SA v brazil tonight

just cant see another upset

Daemos

Headshot wrote: »

SA v brazil tonight

just cant see another upset

We said that about the USA yesterday as well, look how that turned out :rolleyes:

Vokes

Can't see an upset happening either.

SA don't have the forward presence upfront to hold up the ball like USA had with Altidore.

Best they can hope for I think is a win on penalties.

Eire-Dearg

Headshot wrote: »

SA v brazil tonight

just cant see another upset

I'll have to agree, and I can't see Brazil being complacent enough to lose tonight.

Headshot

i see usa are 4/1 to win the final (betfair)

if Bradley wasn't suspended I'd be all over that but im 50-50 now

Headshot

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/06/four-keys-to-stopping-spain.html

1. Clog the middle, concede the flanks

Spain’s intricate passing can befuddle any opponent, but the short-passing style of Xavi and co. is most effective through the centre of the pitch. That’s why it makes sense to tuck your full backs inside and defend more narrowly. This will make it far more difficult for Spain to work their way through into your area.

The flipside of this, of course, is that you will concede space on the wings. That’s fine. You should be able to handle their crosses. Spain do not pose much of an aerial threat, except possibly on set-pieces when guys like Gerard Pique or Sergio Ramos advance. The real danger from wide areas come from the cut-backs which find runners from midfield. That’s why it’s essential to have bodies in the middle ready to pick up any late runs into the box.

2. Defend deep and resist the temptation to press

There are various schools of thought regarding pressing but it’s generally accepted that it’s not a good idea to do it against very technical opponents. And the fact of the matter is that Spain may well be the most technical side in the world, with the guile and passing ability to break any press you throw their way.

Instead, it’s better to defend deep, denying Fernando Torres and David Villa the space behind your defenders. This will help you deal with their pace and it will also make Spain less effective on the counter-attack.

3 Take the full backs out of the game, make the central defenders work instead

Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila are outstanding going forward and are often Iker Casillas’ first option. They are tough to handle because they are equally adept at running at opponents as they are at picking out teammates with a pass.

Therefore, encourage your strikers to pick up the fullbacks at goal-kicks and restarts. This will force Spain to involve the central defenders (Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique or possibly Marchena or Albiol) who are simply not as technically accomplished. It will also naturally drive them towards the centre of the pitch, which you will presciently have clogged (see 1).4.

4.Be lucky

I appreciate that this one will likely be out of your control but it’s a huge part of the game. The fact of the matter is that Spain are so gifted that they can create chances against anyone, even when they’re being out-fought and out-thought. We saw it against the US, when they continued to generate dozens of goalscoring opportunities.

You just have to accept that sometimes your best laid plans can be shattered by a moment of individual genius.

some may agree,some may not
the idea of flooding the midfield is interesting

pipeliner

is it me or is the white guy from south africa being booed in tonights game. Say no to racism my arse

Headshot

pipeliner wrote: »

is it me or is the white guy from south africa being booed in tonights game. Say no to racism my arse

booooooth

my favourite player of the tournament

Eire-Dearg

pipeliner wrote: »

is it me or is the white guy from south africa being booed in tonights game. Say no to racism my arse

Booooooth?

mayordenis

pipeliner wrote: »

is it me or is the white guy from south africa being booed in tonights game. Say no to racism my arse

lolz

pipeliner

Headshot wrote: »

booooooth

my favourite player of the tournament

Oh right!
Im going to stick to my original idea though, more contraversal

ShooterSF

I was shouting boo-urns

~Rebel~

could see another upset here, sa playing some great stuff!

Headshot

~Rebel~ wrote: »

could see another upset here, sa playing some great stuff!

Id agree but dont see where the goals will come from SA

DM_7

Note to Kaka. YOU ARE allowed pass. What a waste of a break

ShoulderChip

We might get our Brazil Spain game yet.

Pro. F

Go on the South Africans! Big chance for them here. Great to see them putting it up to Brazil.

Is it just me or are the headwreckin horns quieter tonight?

syngindub

ShoulderChip wrote: »

We might get our Brazil Spain game yet.

i like it

Barr

SA are in with a good shout here ..they are playing well at the mo

syngindub

hope we're not in for another 30 minutes of this. Very boring game.

Headshot

you'd think brazil will use 1 or 2 subs by now at least

syngindub

i'd like to see one bit of magic..c'mon

Headshot

LOLz

22/1 to score and i was just about too

cant win :pac:

Headshot

syngindub wrote: »

i'd like to see one bit of magic..c'mon

boom

theres your magic

35notout

Doesnt look like Brazil v Spain now - great free kick from Alves

Pro. F

Now i'm depressed
Gowan SA - still hope

kmart6

Some goal....keeper left that side a bit open though!!

syngindub

Headshot wrote: »

boom

theres your magic

that was worth the wait

Barr

Some free kick - feel sorry for SA though

Soby

Best thing about that goal was the 20 seconds of horn-free silence that followed

Headshot

nice one for the wallet

SA manager fu'cked up badly

syngindub

Anyone know if the achievment by the USA team is getting much press / media coverage over there. I know it's not the world cup but even still.

Why does everyone refer to the USA Manager as the USA coach ??