World Cup!

[GeneD]

The Ghana/Australia game was more interesting than the Slovenia/Algeria one. It was at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. Our seats were at the top of the bottom area and just off the corner on the side where Australia scored in the first half.

We were supporting Ghana but we didn’t really have any Ghana colours with us, not being able to find a flag. Luckily other supporters gave us an arm band, which I wore, and a long shoelace with Ghana colours, which my brother tied around his head. There were lots of Aussie supporters and some of them got really agro towards the end of the game; which was funny. Joining the vuvuzelas this time was a set of African drums, which was cool, and the Aussies singing a lot.

We got back to the car quicker this time around, but due to traffic it still took us about 3 hours to get home. We also stopped for ice cream (dinner) despite the cold weather.

The stadium
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6871/img6171l.jpg
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1157/img6179h.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/878/img6217w.jpg

Ghana supporters
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9205/img6199s.jpg

Aussie supporters
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/2339/img6202u.jpg

The Anthems
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/448/img6209x.jpg

During half time, this giant banner appeared from somewhere and travelled about a quarter of the way around the balcony. It said “Jesus king of the nationsâ€

[ClosetOtaku]

If any team makes it to the knockout round on sheer acting ability alone, it will be Italy...

[Winry]

If any team makes it to the knockout round on sheer acting ability alone, it will be Italy...

The guy from Ivory Coast did a pretty good job fooling the ref with his acting today. Managed to get Kaka a red card for pretty much just standing there. My face! My face! But his arm tapped your chest.... oops? =/

Can't believe the ref didnt see the two hand balls for the second Brazil goal though...

[blkmage]

That match was pretty good until it got nasty at the end. Every goal was pretty great though.

[ClosetOtaku]

I'm still bullish on Chile -- they defeated Switzerland this morning.

The only problem I see now is an embarrassed and motivated Spain confronting them in the last Group H game. Otherwise, it is clear sailing...

As for North Korea... well, the biggest surprise there was that the team that held Brazil to 2 couldn't stop the flood against Portugal...

[ClosetOtaku]

OK, so my nightmare scenario for Group H is set:

Switzerland clobbers a Honduras team resigned to going home (expected)

Spain beats Chile (possible)

Switzerland and Spain advance, despite Chile's defeat of Switzerland and Honduras

[bigsleepj]

And, like a sack of potatoes, the host nation drops out of the World Cup.

[ClosetOtaku]

Nigeria takes an early lead. Not looking good for the Koreans; I'd hoped that at least South Korea would make it out of the Group.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

And Korea advances! Man. Friggen foul! Had Korea not fouled Ghana, they would have won. But it's okay. They advance anyway. To face Uruguay.

And I hope Mexico slaughters Argentina! XD

And tomorrow decides if England and America advance. If they both win their respective games, then they'll both advance.

[blkmage]

hi5 for Korea and oh France

I wonder if we'll be going oh Ingerland tomorrow

[ClosetOtaku]

England should beat Slovenia. US should beat Algeria. Should. But... that's why they play the game...

Congrats to Korea! Ugliest win I've ever seen. Nigeria had them on the ropes, could have finished them, failed to. I don't hold out any illusions -- Korea will lose to Uruguay. But at least they got to the next stage, good for the program. My wife wishes we had been back in Seoul (she volunteered with FIFA during the 2004 WC in Korea) for all the celebrations.

[Whitefang]

USA tops the group! I am so thankful that the disallowed goal did not effect the outcome. Algeria was stingy, but the US needs to bury those chances to advance in the tournament.

[ClosetOtaku]

Yes, another blown call almost prevents the US from advancing. If US hadn't scored, I think soccer would have been dealt a major setback in this country -- there were already more than enough conspiracy theorists shouting from the Slovenia match, they didn't need more ammo....

[Winry]

It was a really intense game to watch. Couldn't believe that goal in the 91st minute!

Can't wait unitl Saturday when they play Ghana!

[Nate]

Reading this thread has reminded me of why I don't watch soccer. And I thought (American) football referees were blind idiots!

[blkmage]

Oh Italy

Another spectacular implosion at this World Cup.

[bigsleepj]

Some more Vuvuzela Humour.

[Winry]

Some more Vuvuzela Humour.

That was hilarious!

[MBlight]

Went to the Japan vs Denmark game last night. It was AWESOME! I just love Japanese supporters, they're so much FUN!

[TheSubtleDoctor]

No one should be surprised @ the France situation.

Though I expected Italy to go out early, I didn't expect it this early.

Come on Spain!! La Furia Roja!!

[GeneD]

Due to catching some weird bug and getting sick this week, I couldn't go to the Japan match and MBlight took over my ticket. Apparently they had lots of fun though.

I watched the Brazil/Portugal match today, which I am very glad I didn't have tickets for since it was the most boring one ever. I know neither team really had to go to much effort, but really.

[Winry]

Due to catching some weird bug and getting sick this week, I couldn't go to the Japan match and MBlight took over my ticket. Apparently they had lots of fun though.

I watched the Brazil/Portugal match today, which I am very glad I didn't have tickets for since it was the most boring one ever. I know neither team really had to go to much effort, but really.

I know! It could have really been a good match, too =P Hoping the Chile vs Spain game has a little bit more to offer since Spain pretty much needs a win... We'll see.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited for the match tomorrow!

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited for the match tomorrow!

Sweet revenge.

[blkmage]

Goodbye Korea, it looked like you might have been able to pull it off with that equalizer but oh well :<

As for the other match, I would like to see Ghana advance ლ(╹‿╹ლ)

[Whitefang]

That was pathetic. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe it was nerves or emotion or just a lack of focus, but the US just should not have lost today. Soccer is doomed in this country. Oh well, hockey is way better, anyway.

For the tournament moving forward, go England, though I suspect that Argentina will take home the cup.

Still, they did well to top the group, but that required a bit of luck...the luck they didn't have with those two blown calls, so I guess it all worked out in the end.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

While I am impressed that many underdogs made it to the final 16, the USA is not a powerhouse team. I was expecting them to lose. If not by Ghana then definitely by Uruguay.

I do think that S. Korea shouldn't have lost. They had a good number of opportunities for goals that they missed. Their offense was absolutely killer. Epic, I'd say. However, Uruguay's defense was just absolutely stellar.

So I'm not sure who to root for now. I'm thinking Uruguay or Germany.

[Whitefang]

Well, I don't think that the USA was an underdog for their group or for this game. Quite frankly, I expected to get out of the group, and I was hoping for a first round win (probably against Germany).

I will concede that the USA is not a powerhouse team. However, when they won the group and I saw who was in their section of the bracket to reach the semi-final, I expected a semi-final birth and a minimum of a fourth place finish in this tournament (I did not expect to get to the final or win the third-place game). Perhaps my expectations were too high, but that's why I was sorely disappointed with this result. As it is, I can't wait to see who wins this year and hope for some better luck in 4 years. Hopefully we qualify again!

Anyway, I blame this fiasco on some combination of Australians, Germans, Jubalani balls, and the German-Australia match taking place at sea-level. (3 fewer goals against for Australia and we play them instead!)

[blkmage]

Pretty sure you overestimated the US team or underestimated the bracket. Uruguay, Korea, and Ghana won't be on anyone's finalist list, but these aren't teams that anyone can just walk over (like, say, North Korea). Ghana's no slouch, and either of Korea or Uruguay would have been even tougher. The US needed to play well and in the first half, they simply didn't. Meanwhile, Ghana was constantly pressing on until the US woke up for the second half.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Sweet revenge.

*sigh* Not nearly so much.

Also, england just totally got screwed out of a goal. Fifa judges are idiots.