2014 FIFA World Cup

[damorgue]

Ofc it is never ideal for a referee to compensate for the lack of earlier calls. On one hand, I think he should be able to compensate if he made a bad call, anything else would be unfair and make it an even harder job. On the other hand, in cases such as this his compensation came late, so late in fact that it left close to no time at all for Mexico to have time to act and score again. They went into the late game with an idea that they could defend their win and late compensatory calls like that can mess up a teams game plan.

[vivalarevolución]

Robben repeated diving pissed me off more than anything.  He spent the whole game trying to sell the dive, finally got the ref to bite on it at a crucial moment, and it won the game for them. 

In a lot of these World Cup games, it seems like the referees are not establishing limits among the players early, so they keep playing rough or trying to sell the penalty, and it ends up with a questionable call in the end.

If these refs busted out the yellow card early, it might set the tone and prevent these sorts of mishaps.

[BlueBär]

Bwahahah that goal by Costa Rica )

[paicrai]

[vivalarevolución]

Lets go 'Murica.

[BlueBär]

(Attachment Link)

Looks legit to me? )

[JackMills]

Lets go 'Murica.

And they kept going , but I am glad we won

[keymaster]

And they kept going , but I am glad we won

Congrats, you guys earned it. Good luck against Argentina. I think Messi realized that he will have to make things happen next game.

[JackMills]

And they kept going , but I am glad we won

Congrats, you guys earned it. Good luck against Argentina. I think Messi realized that he will have to make things happen next game.

Thanks, the suspense was killing yesterday. If we can do that against Argentina and actually score some of those shots, such a match would be a treat.

[berserkfan]

Suarez suspended for 9 matches and/or 4 months. Time for therapy to work out his issues.

Or a brain transplant.  A 27-year-old man biting people.   He just needs some women with the same fetish, and get his kicks that way.

or those lego toys which are especially designed to be bitten by toddlers. they are considerably easier to get than a woman with biting fetish.

Most of these footballers, especially the higher paid ones, have the maturity level of toddlers anyway. 

Remember how Zizou screwed all of France over when he lost it and head butted Materazzi? A 34 year old man, having played god knows how many stressful matches at international level, won Allah knows how many awards, and a few words from a rival footballer can cause him to lose his temper.

One of the top 20 footballers in history, and Z lost the World Cup and an opportunity to exit his career on a fantastic note in a few seconds of anger.

[vivalarevolución]

That loss was crushing.  Tim Howard played out of his mind again.  But they gave them too much wide open space and you could just feel that it was going to happen at some time.

The block party in my downtown was fun, though.

[vivalarevolución]

Courtois also is an amazing goalkeeper.  So much amazing goalkeeping in this World Cup, with Howard, Ochoa, Navas, Courtois, and others.

Such a heartbreaker.  Gosh darnit.

[Signature]

That loss was crushing.  Tim Howard played out of his mind again.  But they gave them too much wide open space and you could just feel that it was going to happen at some time.

The block party in my downtown was fun, though.

'Murica got the D that game although Tim Howard was amazing

[calavera]

Such amazing performances! All underdogs in the round of 16 went out swinging.

[Signature]

Such amazing performances! All underdogs in the round of 16 went out swinging.

Well imo atleast Costa rica has been underdogs the whole tournament!

[calavera]

Yes Costa Rica of course. Reminds me of S.Korea in 2002. Don't think they'll get past the dutch though.

[JackMills]

Yes Costa Rica of course. Reminds me of S.Korea in 2002. Don't think they'll get past the dutch though.

Although I like looking at the Costa Ricans play, I hope they don't get past the Dutch. I am hoping for a clash of the Low-Countries in the semi-finals. I believe Belgium stands a chance against Argentina, based on both teams last performance.

[berserkfan]

Such amazing performances! All underdogs in the round of 16 went out swinging.

A non-European location seems to have really brought out the best in many underdog teams.

I'm gratified to see how well many teams are doing.

[BlueBär]

A non-European location seems to have really brought out the best in many underdog teams.

I'm gratified to see how well many teams are doing.

Exactly, there have been a lot of surprisingly good teams this year! Really like to see some change in the top teams.

[iLLucionist]

Mexico was robbed.  They should've gone to the overtime.  That Penalty Kick in the last minute was bullcrap.  I wish demik was still here to share my outrage.  Our Mexican brothers were the victims of a FIFA conspiracy.  I am sure of it.  He is too, whereverthe  he is right now.

The penalty was an awful call.  Total dive.  Robben went down before there was even contact.  But he sold it well.

I don't think it was a conspiracy, But the referee made a make-up call for at least a couple non calls on fouls that maybe should have been penalties in the first half.

In my view, Robben was diving so much in the game, he should have received a yellow card.  Then that final dive never would have occurred.

I just hate a game to end like that.

Not that I am that much of a soccer fan, but people keep concluding the wrong things about that penalty. The first time he went down, was legit. The second one was a classical schwalbe. But because of that schwalbe, the referee decided to make up for the first one that was clearly and most definitely not a schwalbe but a legit penalty. But people seem only to remember the second one, that indeed clearly was a schwalbe. And it is easy to see why: Robben himself said in the interview afterwards with NOS (Dutch television broadcasting company): "I am thankful that that penalty come. But the first one, I shouldn't have done that. Stupid of me. Lousy action of mine." But of course, the media quickly decided to explain the story as: "he admitted that he made a schwalbe, oh the terror".

[vivalarevolución]

Neymar out for the rest of the Cup.  And Brazil squeaked by again.

Should be some great semis.

[calavera]

54 warnings given. A knee to the spine and not even a yellow card. Refs were biggest problem that match. Now Brazil has to face Germany without Neymar and Silva; two crucial key players in both defense and offense. But it should make for a very good match still since Germany hasn't been really stream rolling through the competition either.

[mkawa]

2 inches!! incredible play there

[Kiwi_321]

I had a great party at my place on friday night / saturday morning. It ended with 10 very sad Frogs.

[agodinhost]

I had a great party at my place on friday night / saturday morning. It ended with 10 very sad Frogs.

Hang over ...
 

[vivalarevolución]

54 warnings given. A knee to the spine and not even a yellow card. Refs were biggest problem that match. Now Brazil has to face Germany without Neymar and Silva; two crucial key players in both defense and offense. But it should make for a very good match still since Germany hasn't been really stream rolling through the competition either.

The refs really let that game get out of control.  In my view, they have been letting that happen too many times in this tournament.  Perhaps they have instructions to "let them play."

[berserkfan]

54 warnings given. A knee to the spine and not even a yellow card. Refs were biggest problem that match. Now Brazil has to face Germany without Neymar and Silva; two crucial key players in both defense and offense. But it should make for a very good match still since Germany hasn't been really stream rolling through the competition either.

The refs really let that game get out of control.  In my view, they have been letting that happen too many times in this tournament.  Perhaps they have instructions to "let them play."

The FIFA guys (I mean administrators not referees) are total scumbags. It's a corrupt organization. That said, I am not comfortable with many referees. They miss too many things.

[BlueBär]

Who's excited for Germany vs. Brasil today?

[vivalarevolución]

54 warnings given. A knee to the spine and not even a yellow card. Refs were biggest problem that match. Now Brazil has to face Germany without Neymar and Silva; two crucial key players in both defense and offense. But it should make for a very good match still since Germany hasn't been really stream rolling through the competition either.

The refs really let that game get out of control.  In my view, they have been letting that happen too many times in this tournament.  Perhaps they have instructions to "let them play."

The FIFA guys (I mean administrators not referees) are total scumbags. It's a corrupt organization. That said, I am not comfortable with many referees. They miss too many things.

Part of it has to do with the origins of the referees.  A lot of these guys officiate in small-time leagues with less refined quality of play.  Australia, Chile, etc.  I just cannot imagine they can adjust to officiating the level of play at a World Cup without making a mistake.

As discriminatory as it may be, the World Cup referees need to be selected from the top leagues, the leagues that send the teams deep into the Champions League and the Club World Cup.  Regardless of how good these referees are in their domestic league, the type of soccer they see at home does not compare to the quality and style at the World Cup.

Also, FIFA needs to pay these referees enough to prevent them from being persuaded with a bribe and provide them tight security to prevent threats to their life.  Perhaps dip into that $1 billion FIFA trust fund.

[Mooby]

Who's excited for Germany vs. Brasil today?

Best game ever! Would have loved to see Neymar and Reus be playing here though.

[vivalarevolución]

Who's excited for Germany vs. Brasil today?

This guy.  I will miss the first half at work, but scoot home and catch the second half.  The second half is always more exciting, anyways.

Pulling for Germany.  I picked them to win it all in my pub tournament bracket.

Also, considering that Brazil built their game around Neymar, I think it may be tough for them to adjust.  The supporting cast will need to step up.

[Signature]

Who's excited for Germany vs. Brasil today?

So excited 

[JackMills]

Who's excited for Germany vs. Brasil today?

This guy.  I will miss the first half at work, but scoot home and catch the second half.  The second half is always more exciting, anyways.

Pulling for Germany.  I picked them to win it all in my pub tournament bracket.

Also, considering that Brazil built their game around Neymar, I think it may be tough for them to adjust.  The supporting cast will need to step up.

Not to spoil anything but the second half can't be more exciting than this...

[Smeagol_RP]

Oh boy, that's a rape.

[katushkin]

If you missed the first half, I feel for you.

What. The ****. Is going on.

[keymaster]

This is hard to watch...

[JPG]

I can just imagine how dangerous it must be in Brazil right now. The police must be quite busy!


Man, it's a real carnage ...

[Smeagol_RP]

I can just imagine how dangerous it must be in Brazil right now. The police must be quite busy!


Man, it's a real carnage ...

Not right now, but later. Things are about to get ugly. 

[osi]

Just tuned into this--whered the beat down come from?? ☺

[katushkin]

Just tuned into this--whered the beat down come from?? ☺

Capitulation and evidence that one man teams don't get very far.

[JackMills]

I can just imagine how dangerous it must be in Brazil right now. The police must be quite busy!


Man, it's a real carnage ...

Not right now, but later. Things are about to get ugly. 

I hope the German team has some good protection when returning to their hotel.

[BlueBär]

THE TEARS ARE DELICIOUS

[Smeagol_RP]

I can just imagine how dangerous it must be in Brazil right now. The police must be quite busy!


Man, it's a real carnage ...

Not right now, but later. Things are about to get ugly. 

I hope the German team has some good protection when returning to their hotel.

Nothing happened to the Clombians. I'm sure they'll be applauded.

[SSIPAK]

I just turned the tv on and its 5 to 0. is this real life? lol

[katushkin]

I can just imagine how dangerous it must be in Brazil right now. The police must be quite busy!


Man, it's a real carnage ...

Not right now, but later. Things are about to get ugly. 

I hope the German team has some good protection when returning to their hotel.

I hope the government calls in the Army to protect the Brazilians.

There are going to be riots tonight.

[katushkin]

I predict 7-2.

[JackMills]

I predict 7-2.

most goals was 10-1 Hungary-El Salvador, would be nice to break that record

[tyvar1]

This is a joke,haha!

[katushkin]

I predict 7-2.

most goals was 10-1 Hungary-El Salvador, would be nice to break that record

It would, but I think the threat of violence from manager and populace will be too much of a kick for Brazil, but I think Germany still have more goals in them.

[vasouv]

Well... 5 more reasons not to like Germany...