The worldcup 2002

[Placebo 29]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Ruud van Nistelrooy @ June 23 2002,19:09)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The fact that they have forever been so willing to slag off football is enough reason not to want them in it.<span id='postcolor'>

Naaah that's all the more reason to hope it takes off, would be a wonderfully annoying irony for them

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (placebo @ June 23 2002,18:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Ruud van Nistelrooy @ June 23 2002,16:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">At least, every brit i know here in germany wanted the germans to win.<span id='postcolor'>

I certainly didn't want Germany to win, I wanted the USA to win, and felt they very much deserved to win, USA should have had a penalty for that hand ball on the line, and despite that a decent goal keeping display was the only thing that stopped Germany from getting a sound beating <span id='postcolor'>

I know there is a lot of stuff being said about this hand-game, but most people forget a few things in their anger. First of all it was not a deliberate hand-game since he did not have his hand liften and secondly because he did not see the ball coming, right (he didnt move it either)? Now if he did not do it deliberately there is not penalty KICk, that is a rule.

Secondly if a Ref is not too sure and he thinks of the fact in a 50/50 relation then he has to judge in discretion. So once again no penalty kick!

There is too much useless wanna-be knowledge involved in the discussions about that game. Please people before you start debating, dont just paraphrase what you read elsewhere!

[Ruud van Nistelrooy 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Albert Schweizer @ June 23 2002,22:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">5--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (placebo @ June 23 2002,185)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Ruud van Nistelrooy @ June 23 2002,16:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">At least, every brit i know here in germany wanted the germans to win.<span id='postcolor'>

I certainly didn't want Germany to win, I wanted the USA to win, and felt they very much deserved to win, USA should have had a penalty for that hand ball on the line, and despite that a decent goal keeping display was the only thing that stopped Germany from getting a sound beating <span id='postcolor'>

I know there is a lot of stuff being said about this hand-game, but most people forget a few things in their anger. First of all it was not a deliberate hand-game since he did not have his hand liften and secondly because he did not see the ball coming, right (he didnt move it either)? Now if he did not do it deliberately there is not penalty KICk, that is a rule.

Secondly if a Ref is not too sure and he thinks of the fact in a 50/50 relation then he has to judge in discretion. So once again no penalty kick!

There is too much useless wanna-be knowledge involved in the discussions about that game. Please people before you start debating, dont just paraphrase what you read elsewhere!<span id='postcolor'>

The ref has said he didn't award the penalty because the hand ball wasn't by any means intentional. One of the rules of football with relation to fouls is that there isn't a huge punishment over them if they are unintentional.

In other news Spain are making an official complaint about that terrible ref, and it seems the papers want Germany to thrash Korea to put an end to all the corruption. I want Germany to win because Korea have been beaten shedloads of times (Especially by the Spanish) in the competition but they've been incredbly lucky and got through by following bad reffing decisions. Its good they have got so far as placebo said, but the fact remains they didn't even deserve to get past italy.

I hope no one slags off the Spanish for doing this, because unlike the Italians, they are not just being dickheads. They are complaining because they are world cup winners who have been cheated out of the competition by an opponent who doesn't even deserve to be there.

[PitViper 0]

9--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Ruud van Nistelrooy @ June 23 2002,149)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><span id='postcolor'>

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'm all for China, Africa, S.Korea etc... getting into football, thats a great thing. Its just with the yanks they'll want to take the whole thing over if they ever develop a mass liking to it (which, as the evidence suggests, they never will - ''We'll get into their (as in the worlds) pathetic soccer game if and when we win the thing'' - some american journalist on the world cup and football generally (the real football that is)). So if they ever do get into it, they'll invest billions into it - american league gets all the best players - everyone has to watch american league....<span id='postcolor'>

The Americans already did that once in the 70's I believe.  They started a league and bought some legendary players from international teams (like Pele for example). However, the league still died from lack of interest despite all the great names. I think MLS will do fine for now if only to get our talent cultivated for international competition.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The fact that they have forever been so willing to slag off football is enough reason not to want them in it.<span id='postcolor'>

Slagging off football?  I don't think so. The US just has cultural ties deep into its own sports.  Football/Soccer just doesn't have the roots that all our favorite sports have (although there have been major declines in interest in baseball here).  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The comments they made about winning against portugal (who cares if we beat portugal, america is better at portugal than everything) also suggest they would bring some negative things to the sport.<span id='postcolor'>

uhhh.. where did you see this?  sounds like something you just made up.

[Sadico 1]

Ok, i've just come back from the beach so i couldn't say this earlier:

ÃRBITRO CA*#ON!!

that god damn referee and his moronic assistants stole the match from us!! AAARRGGGHHHHH!!!!

[JAP 2]

I m beginning to have my doubts too.

I mean how many "good" disallowed goals did we see already ??  

Belgium => goal disallowed against Brazil

Italy => uncountless good goals disallowed

Spain => 2 goals in one ( important ) match

And i m sure there are others ....

All goals disallowed against favorites or hosting country in IMPORTANT 2nd round matches.

You should start to think about it for less ...

If one of those goals had been allowed that would have always been a completely different match. Also all teams were dominating the oposing side.

A job for mulder and scully ?

[WhoCares 0]

You can't count the second spanish goal, since the game was already interrupted. I am pretty sure, that the goalie would have been able to get the ball (he even pulled his hands back!

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WhoCares @ June 24 2002,17:07)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You can't count the second spanish goal, since the game was already interrupted. I am pretty sure, that the goalie would have been able to get the ball (he even pulled his hands back!<span id='postcolor'>

Good point there. Two days ago, when I went to bed, this made me think for about 1 hour. Was the whistle so early before the last shot? Could the goaly have heard the whistle, and then just stopped reacting? I dont know! On the other hand, when I was goaly in hockey, I mostly ignored whistles, not because I wanted too, but because of my reflects, couldnt stop them.

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

SHOULD WE CREATE A NEW POLL WITH ONLY 4 TEAMS TO CHOOSE FROM?

[Mora2 0]

ALbert,If by a chance you get cheated as we haved then i´ll want to hear you again defending referees,and defending Corea.

"You can't count the second spanish goal, since the game was already interrupted. I am pretty sure, that the goalie would have been able to get the ball (he even pulled his hands back!"

Yeah...and??...is that thing going to be an argument in favour of that referee assistant....the fact is that the flag was up deliberately with no judgement..

C´mon...this is very easy...you just have to see details:

Hiddink and the referee chatting and laughing in the banks.

Left defender of Corea was kicking all the fucking match Joaquin´s legs instead of the ball,and no even having a fucking yellow card....then Joaquin complains and the ref starts laughing (fucking Bastard).

And the match ends without permitting a corner kick against Corea.

I repeat,anyone who doesn´t see corruption,politics,and economic interests in this fucking league is blind.

[Sadico 1]

I don't know if there is corruption involved or it's just that the assistants were blind or stupid or something; but i don't really think you can make so many stupid mistakes favoring the same team all the time. Maybe the referee thought: "when in doubt, favour Korea, better piss off the other country than pissing off the country were the world cup is being played"

Yep Albert, make another poll.

[Placebo 29]

With the "goal" where the ball was adjudged to have gone out for a goal kick, the referee blew his whistle before the goal was scored, so where's the corruption? To show corruption surely the goal must be scored and then afterwards the ref says no goal, unless you're saying the ref/linesman was looking out for a really good pass which "might" have led to a goal, thus is they think a goal is about to be scored they blow the whistle, that's nonsense, are you telling me that cross is the only decent one Spain put in during the whole of the game which might have led to a goal?

[Postduifje 0]

The fact is: both Italy and Spain are bad losers.

Luck wasn't on there side, and the referee might have been influenced by the pressure of the audience and the magnitude of the match.

but this is not the way to react. They're just making a fool out of themselves.

[Sadico 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The fact is: both Italy and Spain are bad losers.

<span id='postcolor'>

You certainly wouldn't say that if it was your country the one that was cheated. It's not like they have just played worse than Korea and are complaining without reason.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">but this is not the way to react. They're just making a fool out of themselves.<span id='postcolor'>

Maybe so. Myself, i understand Ivan Helguera when he wanted to beat the assistant at the end of the match. If that had happened in one of the matches between neighbourhoods that we play in my city, the referee wouldn't have left the stadium alive.

[Warin 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Sadico @ June 24 2002,23:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The fact is: both Italy and Spain are bad losers.

<span id='postcolor'>

You certainly wouldn't say that if it was your country the one that was cheated. It's not like they have just played worse than Korea and are complaining without reason.<span id='postcolor'>

Canada isnt really a football powerhouse, so I have never had room to complain.

However, I am a rather vocal fan of our national hockey teams, so I can comment on sports officiating with that in mind

I have seen so many really blatant prejucial calls made against Canada in the many years I have been a fan, that I accept that there are times where the officials will be biased.  No matter how much they are supposed to be neutral, officials tend to be biased at times.  It happens.  Deal with it.  I know several guys who have played for the Canadian National Junior team (we have a very good junior team where I live) and have seen games where they have been blatantly cheated...but I accept it for what it is and dont try to make it out like the world is out to get Canada.

My take on the world cup is that Italy and Spain both bitched so much about poor officiating throughout the WC, that when there were marginal calls made, the refs may have made them against them as something of punishment.  After all, if my honour were called into question, why would I want to make a marginal call go for the team that his implied I have no honour? So sometimes you have to just stop beaking off if you want total impartiality. But then, bitching and moaning seems to be a national pastime in some countries

[ralphwiggum 6]

here in LA, Koreans will gather at Staples center(sports arena) at 4:30 in the morning to see Ger vs Kor.

talk about enthusiasm!

[Hasha 2]

Woah, finally posting after almost one year.

I think korea has a very good chance in this game due to the atmosphere. Well, you are sure bound to be motivated when you know the whole stadium and country are cheering for you.

Germany is fantastic in soccer and there skill in the game is undisputed. BUT they are facing enormous pressure. I think we will be seeing another penalty shootout?

[Mister Frag 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (nanyangview @ June 24 2002,22:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Woah, finally posting after almost one year.

I think korea has a very good chance in this game due to the atmosphere. Well, you are sure bound to be motivated when you know the whole stadium and country are cheering for  you.

Germany is fantastic in soccer and there skill in the game is undisputed. BUT they are facing enormous pressure. I think we will be seeing another penalty shootout?<span id='postcolor'>

I'm not sure why you would say that you haven't posted in almost one year -- you are Hasharajima.

By the way, maintaining multiple accounts is against the rules, if I'm not mistaken.

[Ex-RoNiN 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Mister Frag @ June 25 2002,08:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">By the way, maintaining multiple accounts is against the rules, if I'm not mistaken.<span id='postcolor'>

They are indeed. Action is being taken.

Thanks for pointing that out

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (placebo @ June 24 2002,20:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">To show corruption surely the goal must be scored and then afterwards the ref says no goal, unless you're saying the ref/linesman was looking out for a really good pass which "might" have led to a goal, thus is they think a goal is about to be scored they blow the whistle, that's nonsense,<span id='postcolor'>

I fully agree with this statement. I think we can say that the worldcup favours certain teams concerning their groups and opponents (e.g. England plays already against Brasil in Quarter-finals), but not in terms of corruption. Do you realy believe that the REFS get money or otherwise blackmailed? Why do Refs have to maintain a second job then?

I do not realy share the point of view of the Italians and the Spanish! And as Oliver Kahn said yesterday: "well that is soccer, of course the Refs make mistakes just like the players do it, but if they dont count your goal then you tell yourself that in ten minutes you gonna have to shoot another one. Games are not lost because a goal wasnt counted, thats not soccer!

Furthermore I do think that the "corruption" accuse should not be blown from Spain and Italy but from an outside party. If the person that feels beeing cheated states it openly, it only sounds ridiculous. In the end, Italy didnt gain anything from their accusal, but ruined their reputation as sportsmen.

Finally, (my last statement, I swear! Too many of you underestimate Corea and call it a "newcomer" and "underdog". The last time Corea played against spain in a worldcup (1994) they played 2-2. And Germany with the best team we ever had played 3-2. So please dont you think it should have been "such a weak opponent"

[second_draw 0]

IMO, i don't care who wins the germany vs s.korea match as the winner will most likely come from brazil vs turkey and i say that turkey have a good chance of beating brazil.

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

they certainly do! Bastürk rules

[second_draw 0]

Okay, germany may be a contender in the grand final, but they will have a tough time beating the brazil vs turkey match winner

[Mora2 0]

"With the "goal" where the ball was adjudged to have gone out for a goal kick, the referee blew his whistle before the goal was scored, so where's the corruption? To show corruption surely the goal must be scored and then afterwards the ref says no goal, unless you're saying the ref/linesman was looking out for a really good pass which "might" have led to a goal, thus is they think a goal is about to be scored they blow the whistle, that's nonsense, are you telling me that cross is the only decent one Spain put in during the whole of the game which might have led to a goal?"

When i say corruption i´m saying the assistant waits any oportunity to lift up the flag.

That is not nonsense..i repeat:just look at the details and attitude of the ref and assistants with the spanish team.

For Albert:

Yopu are gonna be lucky and a good ref like Urs Meier is gonna be in the match,but if tou have had an egyptian,jamaican,or african ref you would have been harmed as we haved.

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

Yes, SWISS QUALITY RULES !!! Aehm...maybe...well....maybe I should have waited with this statement untill after the match!