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First Impressions

June 15th, 2006 | By: Luis Paulo | 29 Comments »

First round is over and no big surprises. T&T already won the World Cup or at least they celebrated like they did. Portugal won and so did Mexico. Let’s analyze what each team showed this week.

Group A

Germany showed offensive power but their defense lacks quality and positioning. They can score a lot but they will probably conceive a lot of goals too. If they face an organized team with that defense they will fall down. Ecuador was the big surprise but they will have to defeat Costa Rica with an inspired Paul Wanchope tomorrow. Poland is out, what a disappointment.

Group B

England has a great midfield but Owen isn’t helping. Maybe they should keep Crouch on the team after Rooney returns. Maybe they shouldn’t play with Cole, Lampard, Gerard and Beckham at the midfield once that Gerard and Lampard doesn’t attack too much when playing like this. Sweden was the second disappointment. They will have to defeat Paraguay tomorrow but it won’t be easy. With a strong defense and the talented Valdez they will be a tough opponent. T&T is happy already, they have more points in one game than they ever though they would have on the entire World Cup.

Group C

The favorites came ahead on the death group. Holland did a good game and Robben on the best player on the first round. When Van der Vaart returns to the team they will improve even more. Now, they only play on the left and that makes easier to defend against them. Argentina reached perfection, at least on their eyes. They did exactly what they wanted: to play on the others team mistakes. They score twice and did their best to keep the result. Serbia defends well but you need to score if you want to win. Ivory Coast could be the surprise on this World Cup if it was not on the death group. Anyway, it will be a great game against Holland.

Group D

Mexico almost lost. They were dominated on the first half and score on Iran’s mistake on the second one. Anyway they had a pretty good victory, against a good team. Portugal needs to change its attitude. The tactics and the players we have. Iran could be the big surprise but they lost on their own mistakes while Angola did what we expect: lost. They are the worst team on this World Cup. Actually is could be T&T but I they at least can defend better.

Group E

Since the Euro04 I’m in love with Czech Republic’s soccer. And they did exactly what I expected won beautifully. If Koller returns and if they don’t face Brazil on the round of 16 they could go far. Actually I wouldn’t be surprise if they defeat Brazil. Italy was another great surprise. Surprise because they didn’t keep defending. With a well balanced team this could be their World Cup. Gana and USA showed to be good opponents but they got an unlucky draw.

Group F

Gus Hiddink showed why he reached the semi-finals twice in a row. The Australian team showed they are strong with a well deserved victory. Japan lacks a striker and that’s why they won’t qualify. Brazil showed the attitude but not the game. Ronaldo is fatter them me. Croatia is also another well organized team. They are not the same team that we saw on the friendly matches before the World Cup. However they will need to score more than twice against Japan to qualify.

Group G

Togo plays better than Angola and that’s it. They have some nice players on the offense but I and Bob could defend better. Korea is not the same team as it was in 2002 but in this group they could qualify. However they will need to score against Senderoos and the Swiss great defense. France didn’t. I can’t believe that I bet 50 bucks on this incompetent team. Why Henry can’t play like he does at Arsenal?

Group H

Spain played a promising match. Will they go far this year? I hope so. They are fast, balanced and organized. They can defend as well they can attack. Ukraine disappointed us but they might qualify because both Arabia and Tunisia suck. I was hoping to see at least a little something from Tunisia but forget about it. They are both happy because they won’t return with no points.

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 29 comments.

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By payam | June 15th, 2006 at 3:34 am

oh god ! any text you have from me do it: know=now and maby somtimes now=know

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By payam | June 15th, 2006 at 3:35 am

and sometimes maybe = maby oh gooooooooooooooooooooooooood

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By tarkaba | June 15th, 2006 at 3:48 am

payam, are you on drugs?

chill dude.

Posted from United States

By tarkaba | June 15th, 2006 at 4:22 am

Mexico almost lost? So we had a so-so first half ad then completely dominated the second one. We ended with more shots, more posession of the ball and more GOALS and we almost lost?

Pfff.

Mexico 1 – Portugal 0

Posted from United States

By Reza | June 15th, 2006 at 4:40 am

As everyone can see, Payam has a stash of high quality Iranian opium. Maybe he can share some of it with the Portugese team before the start of the game.

Posted from Canada

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 15th, 2006 at 4:58 am

Ha!Ha! That sh*ts funny though!! Keep it Payam.. I dont know what the hell you sayin’, man, but it sounds funny as hell!!

Ok, enough of that. My brothers, Group E is scarey as hell if you aint rootin for either the Czechs or the Italians. Spain will def. make it to the finals if it keep what it did up today. Not even Brazil can handle ‘em. I’m sorry to say, Luis Paulo, but if Portugal gets passed either Argentina or Holland (who will make in their groups) they wont prove a match for either the Czechs, Spanish, or Italians. That is to say, if they keep playing the way they do.

Mexico will make it too, but we will see which team, POR or MEX, is for real when they play each other. This will prove a good measuring tool for the eventual winner of the ARG and NTH game. The question is… will either of the two from group D get past the two from group E?

Posted from United States

By Mark Godinz | June 15th, 2006 at 5:05 am

If Koller returns for the Czech Republic, and they play Brazil, my money is on the Czechs. If the Czechs play their game, who can beat them?????

By Luis | June 15th, 2006 at 5:32 am

The Czechs only looked that good because they played a dead US team. They may go far but Czechs are too old a team to win it all. Italy, Argentina, Brazil, certain contenders. If Portugal improves and shows their best game they too can be contenders. Spain, well maybe. They are riding high from UEFA Cup and Champions League, but bigger test to come for them. Lets see what they can do against a more experienced opponent.

Posted from United States

By Kelvin | June 15th, 2006 at 5:42 am

Spain played well today, but don’t read too much into a single result.

World Cup 1986

Denmark 6 Uruguay 1

then Spain 5 Denmark 1

then Spain 1 Belgium 1 – out on Penalties

or Euro 2000

Holland 6 Yugoslavia 1

Holland eliminated in next match.

a one-off big win means little on its own.

Posted from Canada

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 15th, 2006 at 6:11 am

Sure, Kelvin, we can refer way back to the Wc 1986 if you want to. The eventual winners, Argentina, won 3-1, and 2-0, and tying a very good Italian team in the first round. Beat that Belgium team that beat Spain in penalties 2-0 and went on to produce a high scoring finale against a magnificent W. Germany team led by Beckenbauer, no less, 3-2.

My point being, Argentina scored a buttload of goals same as Spain is doing currently.

Luis, give credit where credit is due, the Czechs are damn good and you know it. Maybe the U.S. players looked lost out there or….. was it the fine play by the Czechs that through them off?

Portugal needs to get it together, no doubt they have the potential because they have shown it time and again. However, I dont see the magic or at least not yet. If both they and Mexico wins their next games, it’ll be a moot point as to who is the better because whoever wins from the MEX-POR game still has to to go and play either the Netherlands or Argentina, two teams that are demonstrating that they belong. And those two teams (ARG&NTH) are doing it againt strong quality teams not like Angola or Iran.

I do admit one thing, like Kelvin did say, “one-off big win means little on its own,” so I know i may be being hasty in my analogy after just one game. Portugal is capable of beating any team anywhere… but from what i have seen so far, so can the Czechs, Spanish, and Italians.

We may deny or make ourselves blind to some things all in the name of optimism or making hope for one’s team, but based on the strength of teams one has played against compared to others, give credit where credit is due.

Posted from United States

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 15th, 2006 at 6:25 am

p.s. I still cant figure out what the hell happened to that Denmark team in ‘86. They whipped everyone in the group stage including the eventual runner up team W. Germany 2-0 only to get beat that bad by the Spanish team which got beat by that Belgium team that got whipped 2-0 by the eventual winners Argentina that barely beat the W. Germany team that Denmark whipped in the group stage.

Ha!Ha! Did you guys follow that? Only a madman could probably.

Posted from United States

By Koorosh Taavony | June 15th, 2006 at 10:29 am

They say Iran team is like Spring wheather, you can not predict what will be next: rains, winds, sunshine, storm.

Saturday Iran will be stormy!!

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By Pedro P | June 15th, 2006 at 12:27 pm

I for one wasn’t too impressed with HOL against Servia. I was, though, with Servia. I expected a much stronger team.

I don’t fear any team from group C, in the sense that I’m sure Portugal can beat them. Doesn’t mean it would be easy or that it would happen. Apart from Argentina – they looked very strong and super motivated. I believe we can beat HOL any time of the day, just as they can also beat Portugal. I simply think that they are the team whose football resembles our football the most (formation, technique, etc) and that we are better then them at it. Our defense is far better and so many unexperienced players, although good (Kuyt, for example) will tremble when put to the real test. A lot of people here (The Netherlands) criticized Robben (can you imagine) for being too greedy with the ball… Apart from the superb pass that eventually materilized in goal, the team didn’t do all that much.

I’m also not impressed with the so called lack of performace of Portugal. They did what they had to and if they didn’t do better it’s because they couldn’t. But did they come short? No. They won. Maybe it looked like they couldn’t go deeper or score. But hey, there were several opurunities failed – the ball on the cross bar, for example… Did it ever look like Angola could pose a serious threat? I don’t think so.

Sure, I’d also like to see Portugal make an attacking game. A game in which they can dispaly what they can do and also to be entertained. But the result is the most important. I mean, let’s just get out of groups and then, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

Iran will be desperate to win, otherwhise they’re out. Portugal is desperate to win because it’s what it’s all about and then they’re safe. Let’s see Saturday.

In the mean time, I expect HOL to (maybe) beat Ivory Coast, not without a lot of dificulties. Would be fun to see Argentina struggle against Servia. I’d like to see that famous defense actually work…

ps – apart from Spain, yesterday, nobody really provided the performance everybody seems to demand from Portugal.

Posted from Netherlands

By John | June 15th, 2006 at 1:55 pm

Portugal needs to chill. C.Ronaldo must stop acting like a f*cking star and play some ball

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro | June 15th, 2006 at 1:58 pm

HurrikaneDIABLO,

I’m going to give you something: ,,,,,,,,..

Use them wisely!

As for Portugal, I don’t know… Iran looks tough enough to give us trouble. Let’s wait and see

Posted from Netherlands

By GERARDO EL CHINGON | June 15th, 2006 at 3:42 pm

LUIS PAULO,
What’s that nonsence saying that Mexico almost lost to Iran. You must not have seen the game or something but Mexico was superior to Iran in every aspect. Iran it’s a very talented team don’t get me wrong, they gave Mexico a good fight but WE show the world Why we are the GIANT OF NORTH AMERICA and why we were head of the group and not portugal. Now if u want some advise take Iran seriously but be more aware Because Mexico will defeat Portugal and advance in 1ST place of the gruop. “VIVA MEXICO CABRONES”

Posted from United States

By O Grande Trinco | June 15th, 2006 at 4:29 pm

Yes, Portugal R16 match will be difficult and one nation will be disappointed since either would have expected to go farther, but that is sport! It will essentially be a coin-flip I think.

As for all the front running performances, other than the 3 points they mean little. I would like to see Portugal improve in small areas, ie. perhaps better 3 way passing in corners to creat space, more attempts at through balls or passes with a cutting edge, slightly more confident play from Meira and Tiago.

Hopefully MEX vs POR, both team have locked up qualification and they can rest, and bring in subs to get some of their jitters off.

I would gladly accept a draw if there would be no injuries, and I would be indifferent to 1st or 2nd,…infact given BRA will be 1st, inorder to make the “big dream” of POR vs BRA in final, POR would need to finish 2nd in their group.

But alas, some may dream and some need to get down to business. Iran will be tough and the players should be single minded right now, it’s the luxury of a fan to dream.

Posted from Canada

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 15th, 2006 at 4:49 pm

Pedro, thanks for the gifts. Ha!Ha! I know i suck at commas, i hate ‘em!
I’m with Grande Trinco in that i hope by the time Mexico plays Portugal, they will have already qualified for the knock-out rounds. In spite of what anyone says, Holland is as equally a dangerous team as Argentina. Mexico and Portugal will find themselves with stiff opposition, so it doesnt really matter who wins first or second place other than for bragging right. But truthfully, exactly what Trinco said: “both team have locked up qualification and they can rest, and bring in subs to get some of their jitters off.” Their gonna need it for the rounds that really count.

Posted from United States

By Chainsaw Charlie | June 15th, 2006 at 5:38 pm

meh. I’m kind of slightly confident for portugal, Scolari’s teams only really get their act together in the knockout phases of tournaments. And If Figo maintains is current form he’s the kind of player to pull a entire team to glory. Im hoping we get to the r16 and play Holland, maybe we can see a game like the one in the semi finals of euro 2004. now THAT, my friends, was a hellacious match =D

Posted from Germany

By NOE JR | June 16th, 2006 at 4:50 am

GROUP E:
USA showed to be good opponets HAHAHA yeah soo good they won…

Posted from United States

By amanda | June 16th, 2006 at 6:07 am

omgggg… im so inlove with christiano ronaldo!! your the hottest man alive!! your one of the main reasons i watch soccer!! you inspire me to play as well.. i just love you so much and your so amazing!!

keep up the good work xo0ox amandaaaa

By onyx | June 16th, 2006 at 8:45 am

Everybody knew that, Portugal is a traditional strong team, the trust, in everybody heart it also is athletics soccer and the appreciation art perfect union. But the slow heat is undeniable, wants to see splendid “the exhibition match” must give it to one the enough time from 04 years European Cup, to 06 years World Cup, we placed it too to be many, today, it and we are same, hoped turned over to completely fortunately With likes it the people believing equally it does not have any not not impossibly to anticipate the Dutch and Argentina

Posted from China

By Chainsaw Charlie | June 16th, 2006 at 8:03 pm

Portugal needs to turn the heat on and finish the group in first place , otherwise they’ll go head to head with argentina, and not even god and the seven angels can beat them now.We should turn out already, if Ronaldo gets in his head that this is the WC, not a “JOGA BONITO” clip.

Onyx, your posts are the funniest thing i see here every day.

Refuels, Portugal!

Posted from Germany

By O Grande Trinco | June 16th, 2006 at 8:29 pm

I am confused by Onyx’s post, me thinks Mandarin and English are so dissimalar that English be very hard to learn! ‘Me’ also thinks facing the orange be much better than facing da blue…but nonetheless FORCA and one cannot attain glory by beating lesser foes, by conquering the best does one gain recogniton and applauds to greatness!!!
FORCA PORTUGAL

Posted from Canada

By Luis | June 16th, 2006 at 8:55 pm

Bring on Holland or Argentina. 6 – 0 means nothing against a team that gave up after the first half and was down to 10 men in the second. S&M biggest disappointment so far.

Posted from United States

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