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I'm happy England lost the way they did in truth. Was annoyed at it for a minute, but then I remembered Uruguay losing 3-1 and that's when I thought "Well, at least we didn't lose 3-1 to Costa Rica, at least it was Italy."
Personally, losing doesn't really harm the team. However, this group is now wide open and after what the "whipping boys" (Costa Rica) did to Uruguay last night, nothing is entirely certain.
Solid performance, best game of the tournament so far (competitive and to the wire).
There's 1 thing I've noticed about this World Cup though, 8 games in, 8 teams have won, but none of the losing teams have scored more than 1 goal.
Brazil 3-1 Croatia Mexico 1-0 Cameroon Holland 5-1 Spain Chile 3-1 Australia Colombia 3-0 Greece Costa Rica 3-1 Uruguay Italy 2-1 England Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
This is a WEIRD streak in my opinion. As soon as Italy scored that 2nd goal I kinda knew England were gonna lose due to the games thus far.
Okay, so prediction time (Groups A to D):
Group A: 1. Mexico - 9pts 2. Brazil - 6pts 3. Croatia - 3pts 4. Cameroon - 0pts
Brazil v Mexico - Away Win (1-2) Croatia v Cameroon - Home Win (2-1) Brazil v Cameroon - Home Win (3-0) Mexico v Croatia - Home Win (1-0)
Group B: 1. Chile - 7pts 2. Holland - 6pts 3. Spain - 4pts 4. Australia - 0pts
Australia v Holland - Away Win (0-4) Chile v Spain - Draw (2-2) Holland v Chile - Away Win (1-2) Spain v Australia - Home Win (4-2)
Group C: 1. Colombia - 9pts 2. Ivory Coast - 4pts 3. Greece - 2pts 4. Japan - 1pt
Colombia v Ivory Coast - Home Win (3-1) Japan v Greece - Draw (0-0) Colombia v Japan - Home Win (3-0) Ivory Coast v Greece - Draw (1-1)
Group D: 1. Italy - 7pts 2. England - 6pts 3. Costa Rica - 4pts 4. Uruguay - 0pts
England v Uruguay - Home Win (2-0) Italy v Costa Rica - Draw (1-1) England v Costa Rica - Home Win (3-2) Uruguay v Italy - Away Win (0-2)
Not sure I believe football is as corrupt as some of you boys are making out. Don't get me wrong, I know there is some corruption, but most of the decisions that could be classed as suspect I believe to be down to human error. But then again, I like to view the world as having more rainbows and unicorns then thunder and dragons.
As for England, I haven't been expecting anything from us, so the defeat was no surprise. But at least we had a go. I think France 98 was the last time I can really remember us having a go (though 2002 and the euros in 04 weren't bad). I'd much prefer us go out with some sort of fighting spirit rather than the usual bend over and take it attitude we're used to.
Sterling, Sturridge and Barkley were big positives, and for the first time in my life I saw Wellbeck have a good game. Gerrard and Baines were surprisingly bad, and I feel a tad sorry for Rooney being played out of position, but his ball over for the goal was on a penny. Pirlo is a master, he makes the game look so easy.
The problem I have now is that because we played some decent football, I'm starting to feel a little bit of hope again. But I've supported not only England, but also Spurs, long enough to know how frustrating it is to let that hope in only to be crushed a little ways down the line.
Other than that, it's been a stonking tournament so far. I've watched every game and enjoyed them all in some way. Plenty of goals flying in is never a bad thing. Goal of the tournament so far goes to Van Persie, that header was next level. Can't imagine a header has ever won goal of the tournament, it probably won't, but I imagine it'll be up there.
Not every game is fixed... but some big games have been. There is hardly a doubt in my mind that France paid off many teams in 98 to win. Just as likely we did in 66 too.
Not to mention there is a certain bias always shown to the home country. Even S. Korea did well when it was held there.
You always do get a bit of bias towards the home team, but I think that comes down to the human element. Being under massive pressure from the fans I think the officials sometimes just bottle it. Take Neymar for example. He should of been sent off for an elbow, but the ref has gotta have the biggest stones in world to send off Brazils golden boy in the first game of the world cup in their own back yard.
As for France in 98, I honestly believe they had a great team - Zidane, Henry, Pires, Thuram, Vieira to name but a few. I think the Brazil team just lost their edge because of what happened with Ronaldo, but then again there have been plenty of conspiracies thrown around about that so I will probably never be 100% sure.
England in 66 I'll give you as a more likely example. Especially as that was a golden era of the criminal underworld. Not to mention Geoff Hursts 'goal' in the final will always be one of the most controversial calls in football.
I think its folly to write off the team that has one the last three major international tournaments. Yes, they have years on the clock but with that comes big game experience. They're a winning bunch of players.
Ahem [coughs] I beg to differ.
AND I'm going to stick my neck out slightly and say Germany to win - via a tough game vs Holland (or some other team). Ya heard it first. I think.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Yeah I'm already looking forward to the new season with Chelsea... 60 million on 2 players...Fabragas can't get on a shit Spain team and Costa seems to be the only player who can make Torres look good
England are going out. YES! I'm gonna win me £2,000 if they lose this game and Costa/Italy draw. Bet £50 on England not making it out of the group, odds were 2/20 on England not making it out so... YES! I'm gonna win!
Gotta admit though... Gerrard should retire. That second Suarez goal was offside. And Suarez should be very wary NOT to get on a plane back to England. If I were him, I'd take my boots and stay in South America because England fans are not gonna want him anywhere near this country again.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr