tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post115087394903600942..comments2024-02-09T08:07:26.090-08:00Comments on Dodgy At Best: Day 13 Random Thoughts / Open ThreadKanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150955516741801142006-06-21T22:51:00.000-07:002006-06-21T22:51:00.000-07:00Good point Phil - I definitely tend to look at thi...Good point Phil - I definitely tend to look at things through African-colored glasses. I should have disclosed that but anyone who has been following on for a while would rightly see that, as you did. But I feel like my line of reaasoning is not irrational. As far as CZE - they looked great against the US but got dominated by Ghana, another African team that is about even with IC , and many would say are not quite as good. My net-result impression of CZE is 1 really good match was kind of evened out by one clunker, whereas IC impressed me in both of their first 2 narrow defeats to 2 of the 6 best teams in the world, giving each all they could handle. (of course France were robbed of a win by the inept officials). <BR/><BR/>Right on about ARG-HOL,, but I suppose it was expected since both teams were also through and resting some players. I was a little suprised that Holland didn't go forward more desperately at the end to try to win it and get that top spot. WOuld you rather play against Mexico without Borgetti, or Portugal? Seems like a no brainer that you would rather play against Mexico even with Borgetti, they seemed almost content to just go through the motions and didn't seem to play with much urgency.If htey lose to Portugal and Argentina roll Mexico, then Van Basten might wigh he had brought on Robben and left Van Persie on as well...Kanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150949605611504002006-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:002006-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:00eh, I think Kanu's perception regarding IC is a in...eh, I think Kanu's perception regarding IC is a influenced by fandom and general support of the African teams (which isn't a bad thing at all). <BR/><BR/>I'd say CZE has been more impressive with the win over the USA, but then both are just opinions and there is legitimate evidence to support either position. <BR/><BR/>France and Italy have been mediocre so far though and I think the case for them looking weaker than IC is pretty strong. Of course things can change very quickly when we are talking about teams that have played 2 or 3 games at this point.<BR/><BR/>Today's ARG-HOL game was a snoozer. It's a shame since that was one of the first ones I circled on my calendar after the draw.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150933143317075802006-06-21T16:39:00.000-07:002006-06-21T16:39:00.000-07:00And as far as IC vis a vis those other 3 you menti...And as far as IC vis a vis those other 3 you mentioned, I'm not speaking in a <I>hierarchy of world football</I> way or even a <I>good on paper</I> or <I>perception</I> way, I am talking about <I>how the teams have played and looked to me in this WC way</I>, and I would argue that overall IC have played better and looked better then CZE, France, and even Italy thusfar. Based on what I have seen from those three, I wouldn't imagine that they would have given both ARG & HOL all they could handle, battling them to narrow 1 goal losses where in each a draw would have been deserved, then come storming back from 0-2 down to beat S&M 3-2. So that is the thrust of the argument/thinking behind my statement.Kanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150932829888494282006-06-21T16:33:00.000-07:002006-06-21T16:33:00.000-07:00Agreed on Tevez. I'm jsut not as familiar since Ro...Agreed on Tevez. I'm jsut not as familiar since Roman has him hidden away at Corinthians whereas I have been watching Messi blow my mind for 2 years at Barca.<BR/><BR/>No disrespect to Tevez, because at age 22 he is an amazing talent. It just that at age 18 (well, 19 minus 3 days), you just shouldn't be doing what he is doing, that's all. <BR/><BR/>As great as Tevez is, was he as great 3.5 years ago as Messi is today? Dunno, since I never saw Tevex play before last year, but I am guessing the answer is a resounding no, or else we would have seen Tevez play for Argentina at WC2002, when he was 18.<BR/><BR/>Again, no disrespect to Tevez, who is a total badsss. I'm just blown away by Messi's badassness (and complete comfort, confidence, and lack of being awestruck on the biggest stage) at age 18.Kanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150929021584845372006-06-21T15:30:00.000-07:002006-06-21T15:30:00.000-07:00Oh, one more thing. I love Messi, but I think Tev...Oh, one more thing. I love Messi, but I think Tevez is getting a bit short changed here. He also had a goal and an assist against S&M, not to mention his goal was much more spectacular than Messi's and he was the man of the match (according to the FIFA website) of this match against the Dutch. And let's not forget that he was the "next Maradona" before Messi took over the title.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150924224667451092006-06-21T14:10:00.000-07:002006-06-21T14:10:00.000-07:00Also, as of right now, Czech Republic, Italy, and ...Also, as of right now, Czech Republic, Italy, and France could all still miss out on the 2nd round. So saying that the Ivory Coast is the best team not to qualify is a bit pre-mature at the moment. Remember, crazier shit has happened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-1150923693400556732006-06-21T14:01:00.000-07:002006-06-21T14:01:00.000-07:00The real secret to coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2...The real secret to coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2? Getting 2 penalties. :) Though it was completely deserved. I suppose it's a good thing that Serbia and Montenegro is splitting, because there's not much to build on based on this year's performance. (Though put them together with Croatia and you got a pretty bad ass former Yugoslavia squad, why can't people just get over a little bit of genocide these days?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com