Alrighty. . . Do not get me started on the officiating of the US-Slovenia game. I don't have the vocabulary adequate enough to describe how awful that was.

I guess the referees should have their performances rated after the match and 'mistakes ' and 'good decisions' identified on Video.

Moreover, if players are deemed to have got away with an infringement or fallen over deliberately, they should get a yellow card or red card in retrospect which is passed on to the next game (or vice versa if appropriate).

Re the US - Slovenia game, one of the things that everyone seems to overlook is that the ref had blown the whistle for some infringement, prior to the ball crossing the goal line. The question is what did be blow for? Well there was certainly enough argy bargy going on in the box that he had plenty to choose from.

As for England, yes we do have high expectations. These guys collect a healthy salary and are paid to perform. I wonder how they would feel if they had to recompense their fans for dismal perfomances - that might spur them on to put some energy into a game where they have been selected to represent the nation, instead of blowing it off as a Sunday kick around.

Well I found this at least mildly funny...

New Zealand 1 Italy 1.

Seems more than the Euro has crashed.

Would have been funnier still if NZ had held onto their lead.

Well done to resist the tempation of not picking the ball up, kicking it over the bar or running over the line for a try!

Perhaps England have got confused instead?

Can you all believe whats happening to France?

1. The FFA announces a month before the Cup that Laurent Blanc will replace Domenech immediately after the cup is over. Now Domenech is a terrible coach who is hated by both the players, media and fans, but firing him BEFORE the cup certainly does marvels to demotivate him. He keenly displays a "I-don't-give-a-fu**" attitude from day one of the world cup.

2. Not surprisingly France ties and loses games they should have won.

3. Domenech chews out Anelka for not scoring in the past 5 games. Of course that begs the question of why Domenech has Thierry Henry is sitting on the bench.

4. Anelka tells Domenech "to go f*** himself you dirty SOB".

5. Anelka is booted off the team for this.

6. Yesterday the team boycotts practice (because of Anelka's expulsion) 2 days before a crucial must-win game against South Africa.

7. A fist-fight nearly erupts between one of the trainers and the Team Captain Patrice Evra -in full view of the media and fans.

Oh, its a exciting time to be a French football fan. Frankly I blame the FFF for not having fired Domenech in 2006 and again in 2008. Not only does the French squad hate their coach they hate each other even more.

The penalty awarded to Italy was a joke.
The Italians have to cheat to manage a draw against New Zealand. I for one cannot understand why neutrals support the Azurri.

Originally Posted by A Can of Man

The penalty awarded to Italy was a joke.
The Italians have to cheat to manage a draw against New Zealand. I for one cannot understand why neutrals support the Azurri.

Well to be honest Soccer is slowly becoming the ball equivalent of WWE wrestling, more and more matches are being determined by piss poor acting, primadonna's and crappy refereeing than by ball skill which is why I think this world cup has been a bit of a non-event.

There is some dissent in the England camp but Capello has a tight reign on them. He didn't allow them to bring their WAGS like the other managers did

Problem is that European international footballers have become overpaid spoilt brats.

Regarding France, come on South Africa!

Originally Posted by perseus

There is some dissent in the England camp but Capello has a tight reign on them. He didn't allow them to bring their WAGS like the other managers did

Problem is that European international footballers have become overpaid spoilt brats.

Regarding France, come on South Africa!

Perseus. Looks like you got your wish. France 1, South Africa 2
Odd how Mexico can loose yet still advance. (Mexico 0, Uraguay 1).
Tomorrow is the big test for the US (0-2-0). If they can beat Algeria (0-1-1) they should advance. We will see.

FRANCE GOES DOWN!!!
FRANCE GOES DOWN!!!
FRANCE GOES DOWN!!!
FRANCE GOES DOWN!!!
FRANCE GOES DOWN!!!