World Cup 2010

[El Perro]

Maradona axed today. He most likely could have stayed on but he would accept no changes to his coaching staff. Another in a long line of self defeating behaviors from Diego. I wouldn't be surprised if he skipped up to Venezuela and took the national team coaching job there.

[Wild Walleye]

Except this one.

Personally, I also think that the refs have a difficult choice between a red and yellow card, especially in the final match with 700 million people watching. There should be some intermediate alternative, like sending a player off for 15 minutes rather than simply warning them or kicking them out and making their side play short-handed for the balance.

Maybe they could just spank them and tell them not to do it again (I am BSing you)

He made the right call on De Jong (biggest football game of these players lives, unless someone pulls a gun and shoots a guy on the other team, it is pretty f-ing hard to pull the red out, straight away at least) and most of the rest of the game in so much as in the aftermath of the game (except for those Dutch pussies) everyone was talking about the game and not f-ed up calls by the ref.

[Stan Da Man]

It seemed like he was trying too hard not to influence the outcome of the game too much. Too bad though, that the Dutch forgot how to play Total Football and turned to that crap they displayed. He could have called a penalty in the situation where Fabregas, Iniesta, and Xavi all went down in or just outside the box. Even though they're all a bunch of divers, Xavi was definitely fouled in the box, it looked like it was hard to see from where the ref was though.

By the way, I think what you said about van Bommel can apply to every match he plays. Such a dirty cocksucker.

Personally, I sympathize with the ref in that situation. In the most viewed sporting match in the world, it's understandable why the guy wouldn't want to toss someone out. At that point, people are going to point fingers at him for having influenced the outcome. The spikes to the chest was a pretty ugly foul, and I agree that it would have warranted a red card. Other than that, I didn't think the ref was inconsistent at all. He gave more yellows to the Dutch. They deserved more yellows. The Spanish also got, what, five yellow cards?

Take this as a comment from an American who has not grown up with futbol: I think the real problem is with how FIFA has dealt with things. In today's game, everyone watches everything in HD contrast and can see what "should" have been called with perfect, 20-20 vision even on the stadium scoreboard. That hasn't always been the case. But, FIFA has not kept pace with technology. Things like adding limited use of instant replay, or an additional referee, are no-brainers in my opinion. Yep, I get the fact that it changes the sport. But, if folks don't want change, then the answer is to shut up about all the mistakes. They are going to keep happening, and they'll be more obvious since every spectator has a bird's eye view of everything.

Personally, I also think that the refs have a difficult choice between a red and yellow card, especially in the final match with 700 million people watching. There should be some intermediate alternative, like sending a player off for 15 minutes rather than simply warning them or kicking them out and making their side play short-handed for the balance. That's a tough system for a referee when everything happens in shades of gray and real-time. Plus, the consecutive game, two-yellow card banishment rule ends up benefiting future opponents rather than the opponents who were aggrieved. What sense does that make?

Again, however, those are just ignorant comments from an uninformed American. I'd also advocate PJ O'Rourke's advice: Just start using your hands. Luis Suarez tried it once and they ended up carrying him him off the field.

[Tika Taka]

Is responsible for his inconsistency which allowed the Dutch to get away with too much and ultimately lost control of the match.

De Jong should have been tossed in the first half when he drove his spikes into the chest of Alonso. It was the worst tackle of the tournament. Van Bommel could have been tossed, as well.

It seemed like he was trying too hard not to influence the outcome of the game too much. Too bad though, that the Dutch forgot how to play Total Football and turned to that crap they displayed. He could have called a penalty in the situation where Fabregas, Iniesta, and Xavi all went down in or just outside the box. Even though they're all a bunch of divers, Xavi was definitely fouled in the box, it looked like it was hard to see from where the ref was though.

By the way, I think what you said about van Bommel can apply to every match he plays. Such a dirty cocksucker.

[Wild Walleye]

Is responsible for his inconsistency which allowed the Dutch to get away with too much and ultimately lost control of the match.

De Jong should have been tossed in the first half when he drove his spikes into the chest of Alonso. It was the worst tackle of the tournament. Van Bommel could have been tossed, as well.

[El Perro]

It was a very ugly game, players bitching and yellow cards flying. Spain control play from the start and deserve to win. Both goalies had good saves to keep their team from falling behind. I was very disappointed with Van Persie, he never got untrack in the World Cup to prove he is a world class striker. When Fabregas got in, I knew Spain woud immediately get chances to score, and that is what happen. I thought Del Bosque was going to getting punish for not playing Fabregas, as Peckerman did when he did not play the young Messi in Germany.

Netherlands good luck ran out. When they took out Brazil, it prevented us from seeing a classic final.

Yes, a very ugly match with the Dutch being the guilty party. As many yellow cards as the ref handed out, he could have handed out even more. I think he didn't want to be overly intrusive and fuck up the flow of the game, but the Dutch played so that he had to. The dutch player should have received a straight red for that flying karate kick to the chest of Alonso. A pity that the Netherlands thought their skills were so inferior to those of Spain that they had to play such ugly futbol. A shame, and I am glad Spain overcame the ugliness.

[Rev BS]

It was a very ugly game, players bitching and yellow cards flying. Spain control play from the start and deserve to win. Both goalies had good saves to keep their team from falling behind. I was very disappointed with Van Persie, he never got ontrack in the World Cup to prove he is a world class striker. When Fabregas got in, I knew Spain would immediately get chances to score, and that is what happen. I thought Del Bosque was going to getting punish for not playing Fabregas, as Peckerman did when he did not play the young Messi in Germany.

Netherlands good luck ran out. When they took out Brazil, it prevented us from seeing a classic final.

[Whiskas]

I couldn't understand all the Mexicans cheering for Spain today in San Francisco.

I mean, I "get" it on one level, but there are so many other levels there its not even funny.

Its like the middle class backing big business GOP. They don't even realize how they've been screwed in the deal.

Remember that most mexicans have spanish heritage and some of us even call Spain "La Madre Patria" (The mother country) so I don't think it is strange at all. That being said, in my opinion allows us to support the team since we are no longer competing. They are like our "second choice".

I think it would have been weird if we sould support the Netherlands or another country US included.

Your comparison of middle class and Big Business does not apply in this case.

Greetings,

Whiskas.

[Schmoj]

I couldn't understand all the Mexicans cheering for Spain today in San Francisco.

I mean, I "get" it on one level, but there are so many other levels there its not even funny.

Its like the middle class backing big business GOP. They don't even realize how they've been screwed in the deal.

That is weird. A European friend of mine from SF was telling me the Mexican guys he works with was giving him shit every time a European team lost.

Another friend posted some pictures on Facebook from B44 (a Catalan restaurant in downtown SF) Looked like quite a party.

On the other hand, most people I know here had mixed feeling about supporting Spain. Even those with Spanish roots.

Personally, I went to Jumbo today during the match because I knew it would be empty.

[Eurotrashy27]

I couldn't understand all the Mexicans cheering for Spain today in San Francisco.

I mean, I "get" it on one level, but there are so many other levels there its not even funny.

Its like the middle class backing big business GOP. They don't even realize how they've been screwed in the deal.

[Damman]

Worst WC I have ever seen. Of course, it is the only one I have ever watched. Think Uruguay gave me the biggest bang for my buck: Diego Forlan.

[Rev BS]

With the World Cup coming to a close in matter of hours, I can't believe how fast a month has gone by. I hope the play of both teams will be worthy of a final, I don't have a personal choice here. Spain is in my heart, but my money is on Netherlands.

One interesting aspect of the of the final is the Dutch connection to Barcelona football. And since there could be up 7-9 starters from Barcelona, the Spanish team is essentially Barcelona. Barcelona's Ajax total style of football can be said to have evolve from the arrival of Michels and Cryuff, subsequently followed by a stream of Dutch coaches and players. Both assistants on the Dutch bench, Frank De Boer and Cocou were legendary players at Barcelona. Quite incestous, tonight's game!

[El Perro]

[QUOTE=Jackjack1]

Not a pissing contest Black, but I've met Pele and Maradona and was lucky to see them both perform. Pele, by comparison is by far the most amazing player to ever play the game. Most soccer moves to this day are attributed to him, including the Bicycle kick, which some argue was created by someone else yet popularized by Pele. Pele had and still has the presence of a superstar, he had his flamboyant moments but nothing compared to the embarrassing goob that Maradona has become. Maradona was highly criticized by his own people who asserted that he was not the right man for the job. Was Argentina's success due to the raw talent of the team, or was it Maradona's doing. I think it was the former reason.

Again, all-in-all, no comparison.

Jack

Except for a brief period with the Cosmos, Pele never played club football outside of Brazil. That hurt him some as far as worldwide recognition. As far as comparing personalities with Maradona, we all know Maradona's faults. Pele has had his share of problems as well, with a corruption charge some years ago, failed marriages and a son arrested on drug trafficking charges. He certainly has not been as flamboyantly wacky as Maradona, but he has been far from perfect off the pitch.

As far as Maradona being a decent coach, he just ain't. I hope he decides to get out now and let someone with some experience take over. The real villain though is Grondona and the AFA, who are corrupt as the day is long.

[Shagger123]

I'm ENGLISH, so more than any other nationality should hate him but I'm a football lover, probably seen over 500 live professional football matches (thats not watching them on tv)

I never did see Pele live but of the footage I have seen I don't think he was as good as Maradona, my opinion, millions agree millions disagree.

If Maradona had never taken drugs he might have been an even better player.

Interesting debate could go on for ever. One thing in Maradona's favor, I think, is that he alone was the difference between Argentina winning the world cup versus being a contender. I'm not saying he won the World Cup single handedly but without him it would have been far from a ceratainty. Now, Brazil \ Pele in 1970. This was maybe the best team of all time, many world class payers - without Pele they would probably have won anyway. Cruyff? I always rated him highly - unfortunately he never won the WC. 1974 arguably the Dutch were the best team and 1978 he fell out with the Dutch authorities and was not playing for the national side.

[Flexible Horn]

Better than Pele? Does his illegal activities influence the decision?

I'm ENGLISH, so more than any other nationality should hate him but I'm a football lover, probably seen over 500 live professional football matches (thats not watching them on tv)

I never did see Pele live but of the footage I have seen I don't think he was as good as Maradona, my opinion, millions agree millions disagree.

If Maradona had never taken drugs he might have been an even better player.