World Cup starts today

[dion09529]

When does Canada play?

You just missed them... they're last game was in Round 3 of qualifying
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[IdolEyes787]

Those who cannot do,laugh.

[mjmacky]

No I'm pretty sure that 8-1 doesn't technically qualify as playing.

I have a degree in Sports Science and I believe the problem is that we don't have enough single name Spanish type people on the team.

They did rout St. Lucia in earlier games, which must have really really hurt those Islanders.

I'm currently confused about following Netherlands. The Spanish team seemed to fall apart when Casillas was making one error after another. Their only goal was a penalty kick, and the previous champs lost their first group game 5-1. I'm itching for both of their next matches.

As far as the Spanish goalie goes, who has earned his standing in the past, football can be as cruel to age as child pornography.

[Rart]

USA won 0-1!

[keakzzz]

I think it's crazy how many "upsets" and last-minute-goals there have been so far (who would have predicted England, Italy and Spain all not reaching the knockout stage?)

[Rart]

That goalie switch was absolutely genius. Completely caught Costa Rica off guard. Krul dove correctly every shot, and having a massive reach doesn't hurt either. I'm still not a huge fan of using penalty kicks to decide games, but since Netherlands largely played better most of the game it wasn't a huge deal this time.

[IdolEyes787]

I'm still not a huge fan of using penalty kicks to decide games, but since Netherlands largely played better most of the game it wasn't a huge deal this time.

Even baseball has the dignity to allow the game to be decided by actually playing the game.
Yeah I know hockey now also has a "shootout" but that's only because games running overly long might disrupt travel plans and isn't in effect during the playoffs.

[megabyteme]

As far as the Spanish goalie goes, who has earned his standing in the past, football can be as cruel to age as child pornography.

First swapped out, then finger probed by his uncle in the locker room. Rough, shame-filled day.

[mjmacky]

Even baseball has the dignity to allow the game to be decided by actually playing the game.
Yeah I know hockey now also has a "shootout" but that's only because games running overly long might disrupt travel plans and isn't in effect during the playoffs.

If a team loses because they didn't increase their goal differential by 1, then no real complaints can be made when they lose out in a penalty kick shootout. The winners of said shootout can't really go around bragging either. In the end, goalie vs. goalie is best.

Alternatives:
watching an exhausted group of men being murmured on by a worn out crowd
a fucking coin toss
a boxing decision

Regarding that last one, I think decisions should be made by letting boxers exchange free shots to the cheek, and the first one to go down loses. I mean, they've already signed up for getting punched in the face.

[Rart]

Alternatives:
watching an exhausted group of men being murmured on by a worn out crowd

Yes. I do think that is a better alternative. The question in my mind is not of "does the team deserve to win if they can't increase the goal differential" but more of "are penalty kicks an accurate depiction of which team plays better soccer?" Soccer is a team game. Penalty kicks are not.

Perhaps they could reduce the number of players on the field in overtime? And then after 30 minutes, turn it to golden goal?