hype the producer
livin phat
Before i write something about World Cup itself, i just wanna say that i realize that there are not much football fans on this site, but still i hope there will be enough of us to keep this thread alive for the next 30 days. I know there are a few of people from Europe here, especially from UK, then i know about a few people from Australia, then i noticed a guy from Argentina who also likes football, so i hope this thread won't die soon. I also hope a few of you American people will watch a couple of games and maybe continue to watch this beautiful game after the World Cup.
So, on with the info.
As you may know, there are total of 8 groups with 4 teams in each group; teams in group play each other once, so every team plays three games in group stage; you get three points for the win, 1 point for the draw and zero points for loss. Two teams with the most points after the group stage progress to second round.
Second round - This is the schedule for the second round:
1A – 2B
1C – 2D
1D – 2C
1B – 2A
1E – 2F
1G – 2H
1F – 2E
1H – 2G
As you probably realize, winner of the group A plays against the runner-up in the group B, winner of the group C plays against runner-up in the group D and so on. There is also a schedule for QF, SF and final, but i will post that when the time is right.
Groups:
The strongest group is definitely group G where we have Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast as three contenders for two places in second round. Other strong group is group D where every single of the four teams has a chance to go through.
USA Special - Since most of the people in here are Americans, i'll post something about USA football team, which might be interesting and may convince you to watch a game or two:
Star Players:
Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard
Best World Cup Finish:
Third (1930)
Current FIFA Ranking:
14
Strengths:
Team resilience and organization; size and athleticism
Weaknesses:
Technical ability, discipline, mental concentration
Fans:
The U.S. will send the most fans of any country to the World Cup
Coach: Bob Bradley
Background
The tournament in South Africa will be the sixth consecutive appearance for the American squad. The 2002 outfit - featuring a young Landon Donovan, now the team's best player - reached the quarter-finals, but failure to advance from the group stage in 2006 hurt the country's claim as a growing soccer power.
How They Qualified
The Americans posted a 6-2-2 record during the final round of CONCACAF qualification, good enough to finish first in the six-team group for the second straight cycle. The Red, White, and Blue lost at Costa Rica and Mexico, but posted a 4-0-1 record on their home soil.
Strengths
As the U.S. showed during their run to the finals of this summer's Confederations Cup, when the team stays compact, hustles, and scraps, they can beat anyone - including Spain. The squad boasts a few names that a European football fan would recognise, but their heart and desire compares favourably with the world's best sides.
Weaknesses
The Stars and Stripes struggle to generate offensive chances during the run of play. Donovan is one of the few members of the team who can create on the fly - Clint Dempsey is another - but it remains to be seen whether the Galaxy man can successfully carry the brunt of the burden on his shoulders.
The Coach
Although criticised for being too conservative at times, Bob Bradley has led the U.S. to a 34-16-6 record since January 2007. In total, 87 different footballers have earned a cap under the manager and the depth of the player pool has increased accordingly. Still, he needs a good showing on the sport's biggest stage to quit his many detractors.
Star Men
Tim Howard (Everton) One of the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League backstops the American team. He's vital to their success and routinely makes game-saving stops. If the U.S. is to advance, Howard will have to be a monster in goal.
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) Recent friendlies against Slovakia and Denmark showed how vital the 27-year-old is to the team's offense. In 180 minutes, the U.S. couldn't manage a single goal and barely mustered any dangerous chances.
Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennes) The team captain normally plays at centre-back and will be even more essential with both Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu recovering from injuries. While the former player will almost certainly be ready to go, Milan's Onyewu - the first choice to pair with Bocanegra - is out for at least four months while he recovers from knee surgery.
Best Footballing Moment
After shocking Portugal in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup and squeaking through to the knockout stage, the U.S. defeated arch-rival Mexico 2-0 to advance into the quarter-finals. There they met a Germany side featuring a clinically brilliant, in-form Oliver Kahn. Despite outplaying their opponents and having a host of excellent scoring opportunities, the Americans couldn't beat the German man mountain and fell 1-0.
Off The Pitch
Famous for: A population that's indifferent to soccer; producing excellent goalkeepers; giants of CONCACAF; a wonderful rivalry with Mexico; potentially an awakening football power.
Most likely to: Have a chance to advance into the knockout stage on the final matchday but fall short.
World Cup Objective
After a disappointing effort during the 2006 World Cup, the Americans need to get past the group stage if they are going to continue their quest to gain respect on the international footballing stage. Anything less will be seen as another wasted opportunity.
Official song of the World Cup:
Unofficial song of the World Cup:
Yes, i posted the unofficial song too because i think it brings the spirit of the World Cup better than the official one. However, that is just my opinion.
That's all from me for now, feel free to post your favorites, your thoughts on games, on players, on fans, anything, and of course, enjoy the next 30 days
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I was surprised you support Serbia (beside England), but since Vidic is very important player for United, i now understand. Same thing here, i support Ivory Coast (beside country where i live in - Serbia) because of Drogba and Kalou since i'm a Chelsea fan. I also hope England will do well, because Terry and Lampard are my favorites players from Chelsea 
