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[scorcho]

Big deal if USA are ranked sixth, as said previously it means jack shit. They will still get stomped on by 'lesser' ranked nations like england.

STOMP STOMP STOMP.

true, while we're ranked sixth, there are more than a few teams 'ranked' below that i can't see us beating. England is one of them, and we already loss a friendly to them earlier this summer; France has rebounded with Zizou and Thurman back into the fold; and you can never count out the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal, or Italy.

 

[Hooker]

Thuram




And I was almost going to flame you for not Mentioning the Czech Republic and Holland... but then realised we're number 3 and 4 respectively (almost number 2 even Argentina lost and we won, will win again in 3 days)

 

[scorcho]

Thuram




And I was almost going to flame you for not Mentioning the Czech Republic and Holland... but then realised we're number 3 and 4 respectively (almost number 2 even Argentina lost and we won, will win again in 3 days)

yeah, the top four teams are fine just the way they are. in fact they should have an asterik next to them to differentiate how much of a talent gulf exists between them and the US

 

[Mama Smurf]

I'd love to see England win or at least perform at a level that isn't a complete and utter fucking tragedy...but I doubt it'll happen

IF England get through the qualifying stages then I doubt they'll get to the last 16. The last England match I watched was a complete joke and I bet nothing changes between now and next Summer.

You know, say what you will about England and Sven, but the fact of the matter is that under him we have never lost a World Cup or European qualifying match. That's 21 games now. 4 1/2 years. Almost 5 years since we lost a qualifier at all (before Sven's time).

In 30 competitive games (so including the finals) we've only lost 3 times to Brazil, France and Portugal (and that was on penalties, a draw over the actual game). No shame there.

In the current World Cup qualifying European campaign, no one is qualifying stronger. Holland and Croatia are qualifying equally well (though I'd give the edge to Holland, toughest group). Take away the points against the bottom team in the groups which have 7 teams rather than 6 (this is the official way the best two runners up will be worked out btw, I'm not pulling this out of my ass) and we can see the average points/game table:

1 - Holland 2.714
1 - England 2.714
1 - Croatia 2.714
4 - Poland 2.625
5 - Sweden 2.571
6 - Portugal 2.428
7 - Ukraine 2.25
7 - Czech Rep. 2.25
8 - Russia 2.142
8 - Serbia & Montenegro 2.142
9 - Italy 2
9 - Romania 2
10 - Spain 1.857
11 - Switzerland 1.85
11 - Republic of Ireland 1.85
11 - France 1.85
12 - Greece 1.5
13 - Turkey 1.375

And it's not like it's just Europe. Seen the African tables lately? It's pretty damn tight in all of the groups, but Morocco are facing the prospect of Tunisia knocking them out, Angola are JUST ahead of Nigeria, the Ivory Coast are a couple of points clear of Cameroon, Ghana will go 3 points clear of South Africa if they win their game in hand, and Togo will pull ahead of Senegal if they do the same.

So, given that so many of the big teams around the world are struggling (South America and Asia seem pretty normal), and even if they qualify are looking to do it in far worst fashion than England...maybe your conclusion is a little bit...uninformed.

 

[Prine]

Nice to see USA in, hope that we get to play you in the quarter finals

 

[Kiriku]

Sweden. That's all I'm saying.

Oh, and that "average points" list is obviously kind of meaningless as they haven't been playing against the exact same opponents. I can agree to seeing it as an indicator of how good a team is, but just as well an indicator of how sucky the opposition has been.

 

[bud]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we goin to the WORLD CUP!!!!
SUX IT DOWN MEXICO!!! YEA!! USA USA USA!!!!!!!!

I hope USA loses all their matches.

 

[ourumov]

But let's not be too hard on Spain, no team would want to be drawn in a group with Serbia & Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What a tough, tough draw.

Jejeje...

 

[Mama Smurf]

Sweden. That's all I'm saying.

Oh, and that "average points" list is obviously kind of meaningless as they haven't been playing against the exact same opponents. I can agree to seeing it as an indicator of how good a team is, but just as well an indicator of how sucky the opposition has been.

Well it's a pretty great indicator of who's going to qualify (which was what it was mainly there for). Also a good indicator that the sort of teams you'd expect to destroy anyone they could be drawn with aren't doing. And if you look through the groups, you'll see that teams like Italy, France and Spain (you know, teams you would actually say have a good chance of keeping England from making the last 16 in the World Cup) are in groups they shouldn't have too much trouble with, but have had.

 

[ourumov]

Actually Spain hasn't lost any match so far...But well, when you see the alignment for most of the matchs you realize what's what keeps them to win...

I wish Aragones did this alignment...

Vicente - Torres - Luis García
Xavi - Xabi Alonso
Marchena
Helguera-Puyol-Ramos-Gabri
Valdes/Casillas

 

[Mama Smurf]

Well that's not really the point. If I could have chosen any group back when they were drawn, I'd have snapped up Spain's in a second. And you only just drew with B-H at home thanks to a 96th minute equalizer!

And what is it with Raul? Is he part of some Spanish mafia family or something?

 

[Kiriku]

Well it's a pretty great indicator of who's going to qualify (which was what it was mainly there for). Also a good indicator that the sort of teams you'd expect to destroy anyone they could be drawn with aren't doing. And if you look through the groups, you'll see that teams like Italy, France and Spain (you know, teams you would actually say have a good chance of keeping England from making the last 16 in the World Cup) are in groups they shouldn't have too much trouble with, but have had.

Well, I'm not surprised by France...they're clearly not what they used to be.. Italy are in the lead in their group (which IS the most important thing after all, since the qualification isn't based on points unless you finish 2nd). And I'd say Spain has some tough competition in their group (the kind of teams that are easier to beat in theory than in practice, especially when playing on their turf), and I've also considered them a tad overrated for the past years (as they rarely seem to perform well when they actually need to).

By the way, I'm surprised by how Poland have been keeping even steps with England, does that mean Poland are as good as England? I can't recall them being too good before...they didn't even qualify for Euro 2004, and placed 25th in the World Cup 2002. I wonder what happened...

 

[psycho_snake]

But let's not be too hard on Spain, no team would want to be drawn in a group with Serbia & Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What a tough, tough draw.

But...but...Serbia & Montenegro have KEZMAN!!!!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Well, I'm not surprised by France...they're clearly not what they used to be..

Yeah but Switzerland!

Italy are in the lead in their group (which IS the most important thing after all, since the qualification isn't based on points unless you finish 2nd).

Well duh.

And I'd say Spain has some tough competition in their group

Are you taking the piss?

By the way, I'm surprised by how Poland have been keeping even steps with England, does that mean Poland are as good as England? I can't recall them being too good before...they didn't even qualify for Euro 2004, and placed 25th in the World Cup 2002. I wonder what happened...

I know what you're getting at, but that's not what I said at all.

What you're failing to realise with all this is that I'm pointing out two things. One is that the big fat IF for England qualifying that we got up there, like we might not even do that, would be an even bigger if for other big name teams and we're a hell of a lot mor elikely than most to.

The other point is about the claim that England would be lucky to get to the last 16 of the World Cup, and probably won't. Now they might not, who knows how the draw will go, but by showing that other big teams are doing badly too, far worst than England are, there's NO reason to think we're not in the top 16 sides in the world.

So saying that Italy are going to wualify top of their group, which they almost certainly are, is fine, but it's not what I'm talking about when I bring them into it.

 

[psycho_snake]

is anyone actually going to Germany?

i mean, personally.

My dad was planning to take me and my brother to the world cup but I have my GCSE's at the same time. It sukcs because it the best chance I will get for a while. Im not going to go to South Africa in 2010. England look like they have a great chance for 2018, which I'll definately see. Still, its going to be fun watching it with all my friends and thousands of other fans in one of Dubai's really big hotels whilst we scream at the tele's knowing that they cant hear us.

 

[Ruzbeh]

Nice to see USA in, hope that we get to play you in the quarter finals

Haha, what? England will long be knocked out, you will never even reach the quarter finals!

It would be fun to see USA versus Holland though.

 

[Hooker]

^ I want to See Holland - Brasil, but in the group stages, so we can meet again in the final

 

[Kiriku]

I know what you're getting at, but that's not what I said at all.

What you're failing to realise with all this is that I'm pointing out two things. One is that the big fat IF for England qualifying that we got up there, like we might not even do that, would be an even bigger if for other big name teams and we're a hell of a lot mor elikely than most to.

The other point is about the claim that England would be lucky to get to the last 16 of the World Cup, and probably won't. Now they might not, who knows how the draw will go, but by showing that other big teams are doing badly too, far worst than England are, there's NO reason to think we're not in the top 16 sides in the world.

So saying that Italy are going to wualify top of their group, which they almost certainly are, is fine, but it's not what I'm talking about when I bring them into it.

OK, I see what you're saying...but then, it's just qualification in the end...some teams get better when there's more at stake, while some teams are the complete opposite in that regard. I wouldn't disagree with England most likely being in the top 16 though.

 

[psycho_snake]

^ I want to See Holland - Brasil, but in the group stages, so we can meet again in the final

and then lose in the world cup finals for the third time in history. Im not trying to insult the dutch team, its great, but Brazil are way too god for anybody.

 

[Unresponsive Bee Victim]

That was probably the biggest win in American Soccer history, we've gone to the world cup before but not in the fashion we've displayed in the qualifying rounds. Hopefully this summer turns out to be exciting for US soccer.

 

[Excelion]

Well, I'm not surprised by France...they're clearly not what they used to be..



Yeah but Switzerland!

with Henry on the field it's like playing each game 10 vs 11 really. Yesterday he nearly lost all his balls, missed 4 or 5 goals opportunities ... against the Feroe's island.

 

[Hooker]

^ He hasn't got Bergkamp in his back - why do you think Arsenal performs poorly overseas






psycho_snake, third time's a charm

 

[Guileless]

I resisted the urge to make a thread because of the people having to watch it on delay, but....

Suck it down amigos! You know who owns CONCACAF! 2-nil 4 life!

I have a loose plan to go to Germany next summer. One of my buddies is Swedish, and we can stay with some of his family that live in southern Sweden. I really, really want to go if I can figure out how to finance it and I can assure myself of a reasonable chance of getting tickets to games the US will play in.

I'm not going to make any wild predictions, hell France and Portugal didn't get past the first round last year. So much depends on what teams are in your group. The good thing is that we have a decent chance of actually being seeded if we continue to take care of business.

And for all you people bitching about how the ease of qualification out of CONCACAF, you are Euro snobs who don't know shit from shinola about the subject. Do a little research.

 

[Mama Smurf]

I think the USA are a good side, I wouldn't be at all happy to see them in England's group That is, assuming they're on of the two "lesser" sides, if England and the US were favourites than that'd be great. Mexico aren't push overs, they're a much better team than they were a few years ago if the Confederations Cup is anything to go by.

Im not trying to insult the dutch team, its great, but Brazil are way too god for anybody.

I know some Argentinians who'd have something to say about that.

Actually that's a lie, I don't know any Argentinians, but I'm pretty certain if I did they'd have something to say about that!

With it being in Europe this time, and not hot Europe, Germany, I think there are a lot of teams with a chance. At this stage at least. God I can't wait!

 

[Excelion]

^ He hasn't got Bergkamp in his back - why do you think Arsenal performs poorly overseas

in 7 years in the french squad, he NEVER scored from a Zidane's pass, that's amazing considering in 99-00-01 a 3-0 against France was an average score.

 

[scorcho]

I'm not going to make any wild predictions, hell France and Portugal didn't get past the first round last year.

aroo? if you're referring to Euro 2004, Portugal made it to the finals vs. Greece.

 

[Acosta]

Vicente - Torres - Luis García
Xavi - Xabi Alonso
Marchena
Helguera-Puyol-Ramos-Gabri
Valdes/Casillas

Given the performance of Torres in the selection, I would put Raul or Morientes anyday (did you see the match against Canada?).

Marchena is the shadow of what he was. And I hope that Valdes/Casillas doen´t mean you doubt of which one you put (I know you like Barcelona, but Casillas is the only player in Spain I can think for sure is in the World Top 3 in his position.

I would like something like this:

Vicente-Raul-Joaquin

Xavi-De la Peña-Xabi Alonso

Juanito-Puyol-Ramos-Delgado

Casillas

But that´s me.

I don´t care a lot about it. Mundial 2006 is going to be for Brasil. Their team is so superior from any other that is not even fun (Ronaldinho, Kaká, Ronaldo, Robinho, Adriano...). I just hope is a good championship to see good soccer and not a boring trash like the last Eurocup.

 

[Afro Thunder]

We are going to World Cup too. Brazil defeated Chile (5x0), Adriano got his second hat trick in a row, Robinho played very well and we will play (Brazil is the only team that played on every WC) and win one more WC. :lol

 

[Shinobi]

You know, say what you will about England and Sven, but the fact of the matter is that under him we have never lost a World Cup or European qualifying match. That's 21 games now. 4 1/2 years. Almost 5 years since we lost a qualifier at all (before Sven's time).

In 30 competitive games (so including the finals) we've only lost 3 times to Brazil, France and Portugal (and that was on penalties, a draw over the actual game). No shame there.

In the current World Cup qualifying European campaign, no one is qualifying stronger. Holland and Croatia are qualifying equally well (though I'd give the edge to Holland, toughest group). Take away the points against the bottom team in the groups which have 7 teams rather than 6 (this is the official way the best two runners up will be worked out btw, I'm not pulling this out of my ass) and we can see the average points/game table:

1 - Holland 2.714
1 - England 2.714
1 - Croatia 2.714
4 - Poland 2.625
5 - Sweden 2.571
6 - Portugal 2.428
7 - Ukraine 2.25
7 - Czech Rep. 2.25
8 - Russia 2.142
8 - Serbia & Montenegro 2.142
9 - Italy 2
9 - Romania 2
10 - Spain 1.857
11 - Switzerland 1.85
11 - Republic of Ireland 1.85
11 - France 1.85
12 - Greece 1.5
13 - Turkey 1.375

And it's not like it's just Europe. Seen the African tables lately? It's pretty damn tight in all of the groups, but Morocco are facing the prospect of Tunisia knocking them out, Angola are JUST ahead of Nigeria, the Ivory Coast are a couple of points clear of Cameroon, Ghana will go 3 points clear of South Africa if they win their game in hand, and Togo will pull ahead of Senegal if they do the same.

So, given that so many of the big teams around the world are struggling (South America and Asia seem pretty normal), and even if they qualify are looking to do it in far worst fashion than England...maybe your conclusion is a little bit...uninformed.

BITCH.

 

[ourumov]

Given the performance of Torres in the selection, I would put Raul or Morientes anyday (did you see the match against Canada?).

Marchena is the shadow of what he was. And I hope that Valdes/Casillas doen´t mean you doubt of which one you put (I know you like Barcelona, but Casillas is the only player in Spain I can think for sure is in the World Top 3 in his position.

I would like something like this:

Vicente-Raul-Joaquin

Xavi-De la Peña-Xabi Alonso

Juanito-Puyol-Ramos-Delgado

Casillas

But that´s me.

I don´t care a lot about it. Mundial 2006 is going to be for Brasil. Their team is so superior from any other that is not even fun (Ronaldinho, Kaká, Ronaldo, Robinho, Adriano...). I just hope is a good championship to see good soccer and not a boring trash like the last Eurocup.

Well, Brazil has a superb offence They are pretty fast (Ronaldo/Adriano) and have 3 magicians there called Kaka, Ronaldinho and Robinho that will do the impossible.
Anyways I would like England and Argentina to be there putting some pressure...