Another stoppage time goal in Greece-Costa Rica.
Is the Cup setting a record for the number of stoppage time goals?

Thank god Greece was bumped out, very ugly brand of football and a cynical bunch of players. So far this world cup has really been about the rise of the beautiful game, hope it carries on that way.

Holland is an ugly team too, but they also play well when they need to. I hope the Ticos take them down but that's a tall order, Messi is going to have to do it in the semis.

Brazil is really vulnerable, I think Colombia (who is even better thanChile) is going to take them out. Basically, this is not a typical auriverdi team, usually they feature at least a pair of forwards who can strike fear into their opponents, guys like Zico, Ronaldo, Bebeto, Romario or the brilliant playmakers behind them like socrates or Ronaldinho. Fred and Jo aren't that good, and the best striker they have, Neymar, wasn't even one of the top 25 goal scorers in La Liga this year. Still, going into this Brazil was supposed to be very solid in the back and mid with guys like Thiago and Luiz, but they lack organization and structure. I don't see Brazil getting by the winner of France-Germany, if they do get by Colombia.

Cal88;842329572 said:

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Holland is an ugly team too,

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They are? Seems like they pass well and generate a lot of scoring opportunities. They're not a sit-back-and-defend team like Greece.

They have a number of hacks, most notably De Jong, who is probably the dirtiest player left in the world cup. Their forwards are very good but also utterly despicable, esp. Robben who is as big a diver as you could find in Europe. They've totally ruined the last WC final with thuggish play, and I think they'll do it again in their semi and final should they get there. They're not Greece, but they do play with a 5-3-2 that is more bent on countering and breaking down than building up. I hope CR somehow upsets them...

Nigel at work


Van Gaal is one of the most obnoxious coach in football, right up there with Mourinho. He published an obscenely self-aggrandizing autobiography in two big glossy volumes (one tome exclusively dedicated to his vision)

Go Oranje!!!

510--it's Los Ticos not "Ticas" (the feminine form)

Cal88;842329649 said:

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They have a number of hacks, most notably De Jong, who is probably the dirtiest player left in the world cup. Their forwards are very good but also utterly despicable, esp. Robben who is as big a diver as you could find in Europe. They've totally ruined the last WC final with thuggish play, and I think they'll do it again in their semi and final should they get there. They're not Greece, but they do play with a 5-3-2 that is more bent on countering and breaking down than building up. I hope CR somehow upsets them...

Van Gaal is one of the most obnoxious coach in football, right up there with Mourinho. He published an obscenely self-aggrandizing autobiography in two big glossy volumes (one tome exclusively dedicated to his vision)

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Have you been watching Holland's games in the WC? De Jong has cleaned up his act considerably. De Jong is less physical than, say, Jermaine Jones of the U.S.

Robben goes down a lot, but he also gets fouled a lot. He certainly embellishes the fouls, but that's no different than what NBA floppers like Lebron or Chris Paul do. Skilled strikers who draw a lot of attention from defenders inside the box are wise to make sure the ref knows it when they draw contact. Gamesmanship ain't pretty, but until FIFA takes steps like video replay or adding a second ref, you're foolish if you don't work the system in your favor. Robben is certainly no worse than Ronaldo, Drogba, Gareth Bale, etc. He was also recently named the outstanding player of the group stage by ESPN (ahead of Messi, Muller, Rodriguez, and others).

P.S. I wasn't aware of Van Gaal's boxed-set autobiography. Wow, that's really over the top!

hatter gonna hat

Phantomfan;842329928 said:

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hatter gonna hat

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Yep. Go Oranje!

BGGB2;842329915 said:

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Have you been watching Holland's games in the WC? De Jong has cleaned up his act considerably. De Jong is less physical than, say, Jermaine Jones of the U.S.

Robben goes down a lot, but he also gets fouled a lot. He certainly embellishes the fouls, but that's no different than what NBA floppers like Lebron or Chris Paul do. Skilled strikers who draw a lot of attention from defenders inside the box are wise to make sure the ref knows it when they draw contact. Gamesmanship ain't pretty, but until FIFA takes steps like video replay or adding a second ref, you're foolish if you don't work the system in your favor. Robben is certainly no worse than Ronaldo, Drogba, Gareth Bale, etc. He was also recently named the outstanding player of the group stage by ESPN (ahead of Messi, Muller, Rodriguez, and others).

P.S. I wasn't aware of Van Gaal's boxed-set autobiography. Wow, that's really over the top!

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It's not just a matter of being physical, de Jong is a dirty player who has a long history of cynically going out and taking out opponents with vicious tackles meant to injure, and he does it without any remorse. The funny thing is that he used to be in the shadow of dutch teammate van (pummel) Bommel, who was an even bigger thug. Well at least de Jong is now out with an injury so we probably won't see him in the WC. I really started hating him after watching Holland-Denmark in the last world cup, and between him and van Bommel they've also managed to stink up the 2010 final, thank god they got beat by Spain.



Funny thing about van Bommel is that he is such an inveterate thug that on his last career game he went out and got ejected for a series of dirty hits, the guy just can't help it.



Robben is just not a very likeable character, in addition to being one of the most blatant serial divers, right up there with Suarez, with the same win-at-all-cost mentality but with an irascible disposition.

For neutrals who love the game, holland hasn't been a good option this decade.

NYCGOBEARS;842329931 said:

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Yep. Go Oranje!

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Hup Holland Hup.


Some people is just

Cal88;842329982 said:

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No wonder I married a Dutch gal.

A Highland Dutch, Lowland Dutch, or a Rotterdam Dutch?

Cal88;842329999 said:

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A Highland Dutch, Lowland Dutch, or a Rotterdam Dutch?

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Irish

Cal88;842329999 said:

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A Highland Dutch, Lowland Dutch, or a Rotterdam Dutch?

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Nijmegen.