FIFA World Cup 2014

[ederson]

I agree...  Diego Costa does t help in building up the play... And they seem nervous without concentration..  Almost in panic


 I can t see this ship turning.  They are done.

Well done to Chile at least so far.  Very good game and deserved 2 goal lead

[staticcc]

I'll be really happy if Diego Costa goes scoreless in this tournament. Turned his back on his country. I can understand a player choosing to play for a different country if his own country isn't interested in using him but I hated seeing Diego Costa refuse to play for Brazil in order to play for Spain instead. In a World Cup year. In his home country! With his country having a huge hole at his position and thus giving him a great chance to play and help his nation's team. Awful.

I realize this is a bad thread to rail about blind nationalism, but I don't begrudge him his decision at all. He didn't have any say in where he was born -- he should be allowed to play for Spain, especially now that he's a Spanish Citizen.

Nope. Diego Costa wasn't born in Spain. He moved there FIVE years ago! Spain naturalized him as quickly as possible to get him to play in this World Cup. He grew up in Brazil and he turned his back on his country of citizenship for 20+ years.

[Casperian]

Oof!!  I feel bad for the Russian keeper.  There have been some goal tending errors, but that was almost certainly the worst.  That was embarrassing.

  You could see that coming the way he mishandled some earlier shots. Korea would have won had they ran in on a few of the earlier bobbles or just went with a "shoot and go for the rebound" strategy. I was surprised we went with Nick Rimando as our 3rd keeper, but he's better than that guy.

"That guy" is Igor Akinfeev, generally considered to be one of the best keepers in the world. You're right, though, he had a pretty bad game.

He has had a pretty tough time of it at club level the last two seasons, especially this last one.

Sure, it's fair to criticize him, I'm just saying he's a well known keeper, not just some Joe Schmoeski from the streets.

Tourney seems to be over for Spain. Just goes to show how important the mental side of the game is, and that you can't keep going with a formerly succesful core forever.

Gotta reinvent yourselves from time to time.

[Who]

Koke for Xabi Alonso = excellent move

[Who]

Australia got a lot of joy out of high balls into the box against Chile's small defenders.

Surprised Spain haven't gotten more crosses into Diego Costa. I can't think of a single cross that they have gotten in to him.

[Sixth Man]

Oof!!  I feel bad for the Russian keeper.  There have been some goal tending errors, but that was almost certainly the worst.  That was embarrassing.

  You could see that coming the way he mishandled some earlier shots. Korea would have won had they ran in on a few of the earlier bobbles or just went with a "shoot and go for the rebound" strategy. I was surprised we went with Nick Rimando as our 3rd keeper, but he's better than that guy.

"That guy" is Igor Akinfeev, generally considered to be one of the best keepers in the world. You're right, though, he had a pretty bad game.

He has had a pretty tough time of it at club level the last two seasons, especially this last one.

Sure, it's fair to critcize him, I'm just saying he's a well known keeper, not just some Joe Schmoeski from the streets.

Tourney seems to be over for Spain. Just goes to show how important the mental side of the game is, and that you can't keep going with a formerly succesful core forever.

No problem, I agree with you.  Two seasons ago, he was much more highly rated.  No way he's a Joe Schmoe, and he still has plenty of time to reestablish himself as a leading Euro keeper.
Even the great keepers have a bad moment or two, unless you're Iker Casillas, in which case every shot headed your way is a disaster in the making...

[Who]

What a pass by David Silva. That is more like it.

[The One]

OMG, Australia 2 - 1 Netherlands

I am picking Germany to win the whole shebang!

good man, smart choice 

EDIT: 2 - 2 van Persie

Plus they make the best cars!!

[BballTim]

Oof!!  I feel bad for the Russian keeper.  There have been some goal tending errors, but that was almost certainly the worst.  That was embarrassing.

  You could see that coming the way he mishandled some earlier shots. Korea would have won had they ran in on a few of the earlier bobbles or just went with a "shoot and go for the rebound" strategy. I was surprised we went with Nick Rimando as our 3rd keeper, but he's better than that guy.

"That guy" is Igor Akinfeev, generally considered to be one of the best keepers in the world. You're right, though, he had a pretty bad game.

He has had a pretty tough time of it at club level the last two seasons, especially this last one.

Sure, it's fair to criticize him, I'm just saying he's a well known keeper, not just some Joe Schmoeski from the streets.

  I don't think anyone assumed that.

[Celtics18]

At the risk of diverting this too far from discussions of soccer, what do those of you who are bagging on Diego Costa think of Aron Johansson?

[Who]

Oh what a miss by Busquets. Great job by Diego Costa to create the chance.

[D.o.s.]

I'll be really happy if Diego Costa goes scoreless in this tournament. Turned his back on his country. I can understand a player choosing to play for a different country if his own country isn't interested in using him but I hated seeing Diego Costa refuse to play for Brazil in order to play for Spain instead. In a World Cup year. In his home country! With his country having a huge hole at his position and thus giving him a great chance to play and help his nation's team. Awful.

I realize this is a bad thread to rail about blind nationalism, but I don't begrudge him his decision at all. He didn't have any say in where he was born -- he should be allowed to play for Spain, especially now that he's a Spanish Citizen.

Nope. Diego Costa wasn't born in Spain. He moved there FIVE years ago! Spain naturalized him as quickly as possible to get him to play in this World Cup. He grew up in Brazil and he turned his back on his country of citizenship for 20+ years.

What's your point? He's a Spanish citizen, and he wanted to play for Spain. It doesn't really matter when he became a Spanish citizen, or why, because its clearly his choice.

[Who]

Pedro cutting inside so much that Spain might as well play a central midfielder. Someone who is better in those areas of the pitch.

Pedro not utilizing his speed or play in wide areas well enough.

[staticcc]

Australia got a lot of joy out of high balls into the box against Chile's small defenders.

Surprised Spain haven't gotten more crosses into Diego Costa. I can't think of a single cross that they have gotten in to him.

That's just not how they play. Spain plays tiki-taka football. The ball always passes through the middle.

[Who]

It's a shame Spain didn't select Iker Muniain. I think his dribbling and support play off of a #9 would be a great option here.