The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Germany V Costa Rica
Poland V Ecuador
Whats going to be the scores?
Poland V Ecuador
Whats going to be the scores?
Page:
Yep, England are really going to have to produce the turnaround of all time.
Holland V Portugal started off well enough. Holland took control of the early play but Portugal scored first when Maniche just managed to shift the ball into space and score.
Unfortunately, the game is going to be remembered for the referee. He was booking players from the 2nd minute and it got totally out of control. Costinha was the first to go and he was off in the first half.
The game got a little dirty and a lot of diving was going on. Boulahrouz was off in the 2nd half but that was a bad challenge. Deco was next and the yellow cards were flowing. There was a lot of tempers flaring as pushing and shoving took over.
Somehow, Holland managed to create some good chances and almost got on level terms. It was not to be for Holland as 6 minutes of overtime at the end of the full time came and went. Even that saw a red card, that of Van Bronckhorst.
Bad fouls, timewasting, diving, yellow and red cards aside, I was very disappointed. I like the way Holland play and it could have been a really good game.
England play Portugal and Germany play Argentina in the Quarter Finals so far.
Holland V Portugal started off well enough. Holland took control of the early play but Portugal scored first when Maniche just managed to shift the ball into space and score.
Unfortunately, the game is going to be remembered for the referee. He was booking players from the 2nd minute and it got totally out of control. Costinha was the first to go and he was off in the first half.
The game got a little dirty and a lot of diving was going on. Boulahrouz was off in the 2nd half but that was a bad challenge. Deco was next and the yellow cards were flowing. There was a lot of tempers flaring as pushing and shoving took over.
Somehow, Holland managed to create some good chances and almost got on level terms. It was not to be for Holland as 6 minutes of overtime at the end of the full time came and went. Even that saw a red card, that of Van Bronckhorst.
Bad fouls, timewasting, diving, yellow and red cards aside, I was very disappointed. I like the way Holland play and it could have been a really good game.
England play Portugal and Germany play Argentina in the Quarter Finals so far.
I hate to say it but England have been one of the most boring teams to watch in the World cup so far. Sven keeps on telling us that the magic will come, but he's had 4 games to prove it now. Time to face facts, this team doesn't have it.
Well, England made what I thought was heavy weather of Ecuador there. England may have been passing it around well enough but there was no real penetration.
Ecuador probably should have scored if it wasn't for Ashley Cole's desperate challenge that forced the shot onto the bar. England were looking pretty shaky at the back and really lacking at the front in the first half.
England showed a little more in the second half but still nothing was happening. It looked like England would make an aggressive change but then Beckham managed to squeeze a free kick in and take a 1-0 lead.
The substitutions were aborted before they came on and England just started to sit back a bit. The substitutes came eventually but they were distinctly negative. The only real bright spark was Lennon. Gerrard had a good game, Lampard really needs to work on his shooting. :D
Other than that, I think England will be severly disappointed with what was a lacklustre and dreary performance against an Ecuador team who were a little flat.
Ecuador probably should have scored if it wasn't for Ashley Cole's desperate challenge that forced the shot onto the bar. England were looking pretty shaky at the back and really lacking at the front in the first half.
England showed a little more in the second half but still nothing was happening. It looked like England would make an aggressive change but then Beckham managed to squeeze a free kick in and take a 1-0 lead.
The substitutions were aborted before they came on and England just started to sit back a bit. The substitutes came eventually but they were distinctly negative. The only real bright spark was Lennon. Gerrard had a good game, Lampard really needs to work on his shooting. :D
Other than that, I think England will be severly disappointed with what was a lacklustre and dreary performance against an Ecuador team who were a little flat.
My summaries are more reminders for some of the matches when we might look back and try to remember some of the games.
Anyway, I did have a tournament to go to yesterday, so I've just finished watching Germany V Sweden.
Sweden were very poor in the first half. Germany took the lead when the ball broke free for Podolski after Isaksson stopped Klose in the area. That was after just 4 minutes. Klose has been really good in the tournament and he ran across the box with the ball, taking 3 defenders with him, before passing to Podolski in space for him to score his 2nd after 12 minutes.
Germany could have had so many more goals if it wasn't for Isaksson. Germany were almost queuing up for shots. It got worse when the ref looked almost coerced into sending off Lucic for stepping in front of a player. It wasn't a yellow card at all.
So, with Sweden so poor and Germany easily dominant, Sweden finally managed something in the 2nd half. They won a penalty, which really didn't look like one to me, and Larsson stepped up to take it. Sweden then delayed the kick themselves by making a substitution and Larsson promptly missed the penalty.
Germany slowed the pace down a bit and still had more shots as Sweden went out with a whimper.
It was a bit of a shame as Germany V Sweden on paper should have been a closer game.
Anyway, I did have a tournament to go to yesterday, so I've just finished watching Germany V Sweden.
Sweden were very poor in the first half. Germany took the lead when the ball broke free for Podolski after Isaksson stopped Klose in the area. That was after just 4 minutes. Klose has been really good in the tournament and he ran across the box with the ball, taking 3 defenders with him, before passing to Podolski in space for him to score his 2nd after 12 minutes.
Germany could have had so many more goals if it wasn't for Isaksson. Germany were almost queuing up for shots. It got worse when the ref looked almost coerced into sending off Lucic for stepping in front of a player. It wasn't a yellow card at all.
So, with Sweden so poor and Germany easily dominant, Sweden finally managed something in the 2nd half. They won a penalty, which really didn't look like one to me, and Larsson stepped up to take it. Sweden then delayed the kick themselves by making a substitution and Larsson promptly missed the penalty.
Germany slowed the pace down a bit and still had more shots as Sweden went out with a whimper.
It was a bit of a shame as Germany V Sweden on paper should have been a closer game.
I can just read GPs summaries instead of watching them :) But I think I'll be watching the England match today. Although made slightly awkwaed because my brother's girlfriend (who's from Ecuador) is here at the moment. I will cheer until my throat is soar!!
Well, what a game Argentina V Mexico was! The Mexicans started really well and Argentina couldn't get out of their half. Mexico went close after 2 minutes and scored after 6 minutes when Marquez drifted in unmarked and poked it with power past the Argentine keeper.
It knocked a bit of sense into Argentina who then scored after 10 minutes. The ball was whipped in and Borghetti and Crespo went for the ball. Crespo got a foot on it but it was Borghetti's head that forced the ball into the back of the net.
Mexico played really well in the first half, hitting Argentina on the break. Argentina in the second half were much more controlling but no break through was to be found in normal time.
Maxi Rodriquez strike was exceptional. He took the ball on his chest, which bounced up a long way, and then hit the volley and it was unstoppable. It hit Mexico pretty hard and they couldn't fashion an equalizer.
Argentina have had a real scare but they might just be stronger for it.
It knocked a bit of sense into Argentina who then scored after 10 minutes. The ball was whipped in and Borghetti and Crespo went for the ball. Crespo got a foot on it but it was Borghetti's head that forced the ball into the back of the net.
Mexico played really well in the first half, hitting Argentina on the break. Argentina in the second half were much more controlling but no break through was to be found in normal time.
Maxi Rodriquez strike was exceptional. He took the ball on his chest, which bounced up a long way, and then hit the volley and it was unstoppable. It hit Mexico pretty hard and they couldn't fashion an equalizer.
Argentina have had a real scare but they might just be stronger for it.
France needed to win last night to stand a chance of a place in the last 16. They hadn't won a game in the World Cup since they won the trophy in 1998.
France started the way they needed to and looked a lot better with Trezeguet in the side, although he missed a hatful of chances. Ribery lacked composure at key moments and he should have scored at least 2.
Amazingly, partly due to France misfiring and Agassa in the Togo goal, the scores were level at half time. Togo had few chances but were just beginning to frustrate France.
France were dominant again from the off and more chances went begging. The breakthrough came when Ribery found Vieira in the box and the turn and shot was exquisite.
This opened the game up a bit as Togo searched for an equalizer but they were hurt by a 2nd goal within 6 minutes as Henry made some room for a shot that found the net.
France took their foot off the gas as Togo started to get more of the game but it was no use. France held on to book their place in the last 16.
It was one of two from the last group game as Switzerland took on South Korea. Switzerland had control of the game for most of the first half and neither team really had a good chance. A goal came after 22 minutes when Yakin whipped in a free kick and Senderos with a towering header found the back of the net.
The header resulted in a cut on the head of him and a South Korean defender, the South Korean defender needed a hairnet to hold the bandage in place.
With about 5 minutes to go in the first half, South Korea got into the box a few times and made Switzerland panic but it all came to nothing as Switzerland led South Korea at the break.
Soth Korea just started to get more possession in the 2nd half in search for the goal and with news filtering through that France had got the 2 goals they needed, things were looking bleak for South Korea. The keeper wasn't really tested as South Korea never really looked like scoring in a frustrating night.
Switzerland came close when Frei hit the post and then Frei looked to be offside as he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. The flag was up and the pass was significantly deflected into the path of Frei.
The goal stood. South Korea came close but the shot was deflected off the bar amd over and another shot saved. The game fizzled out towards the end and Switzerland win the group.
France started the way they needed to and looked a lot better with Trezeguet in the side, although he missed a hatful of chances. Ribery lacked composure at key moments and he should have scored at least 2.
Amazingly, partly due to France misfiring and Agassa in the Togo goal, the scores were level at half time. Togo had few chances but were just beginning to frustrate France.
France were dominant again from the off and more chances went begging. The breakthrough came when Ribery found Vieira in the box and the turn and shot was exquisite.
This opened the game up a bit as Togo searched for an equalizer but they were hurt by a 2nd goal within 6 minutes as Henry made some room for a shot that found the net.
France took their foot off the gas as Togo started to get more of the game but it was no use. France held on to book their place in the last 16.
It was one of two from the last group game as Switzerland took on South Korea. Switzerland had control of the game for most of the first half and neither team really had a good chance. A goal came after 22 minutes when Yakin whipped in a free kick and Senderos with a towering header found the back of the net.
The header resulted in a cut on the head of him and a South Korean defender, the South Korean defender needed a hairnet to hold the bandage in place.
With about 5 minutes to go in the first half, South Korea got into the box a few times and made Switzerland panic but it all came to nothing as Switzerland led South Korea at the break.
Soth Korea just started to get more possession in the 2nd half in search for the goal and with news filtering through that France had got the 2 goals they needed, things were looking bleak for South Korea. The keeper wasn't really tested as South Korea never really looked like scoring in a frustrating night.
Switzerland came close when Frei hit the post and then Frei looked to be offside as he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. The flag was up and the pass was significantly deflected into the path of Frei.
The goal stood. South Korea came close but the shot was deflected off the bar amd over and another shot saved. The game fizzled out towards the end and Switzerland win the group.
There were 2 games on at the same time so I taped one game and watched the other.
Just finished watching Spain V Saudi Arabia. It was a sedate affair with Spain changing the whole team. Spain probably should have had a lot more goals as Reyes and Fabregas missed some glorious chances and Zaid made some good saves.
36 minutes in and Juanito powers a header in from a Reyes cross. Spain pretty much waltzed through the remainder of the game. Saudi Arabia put a bit more into the game about 70 minutes in but they never really troubled Canizares until right at the end but that was skied over the bar. Spain should have had a penalty when Torres was pulled back by his shirt but it didn't matter.
The Ukraine V Tunisia game was terrible. There was a real lack of urgency by both teams. Jaziri getting sent off in the first half finished Tunisia off but Ukraine were not interested in over committing. Shevchenko won a penalty which probably shouldn't have been given as it was just a clash of knee to leg when running for the ball. Shevchenko put the penalty away and Tunisia started putting on forwards, but it was too late then. They had a couple of late chances but the end thankfully came.
I'm watching Switzerland V South Korea tomorrow. Might have to tape the Germany V Sweden game as I might be playing in a 5-a-side tournament.
Just finished watching Spain V Saudi Arabia. It was a sedate affair with Spain changing the whole team. Spain probably should have had a lot more goals as Reyes and Fabregas missed some glorious chances and Zaid made some good saves.
36 minutes in and Juanito powers a header in from a Reyes cross. Spain pretty much waltzed through the remainder of the game. Saudi Arabia put a bit more into the game about 70 minutes in but they never really troubled Canizares until right at the end but that was skied over the bar. Spain should have had a penalty when Torres was pulled back by his shirt but it didn't matter.
The Ukraine V Tunisia game was terrible. There was a real lack of urgency by both teams. Jaziri getting sent off in the first half finished Tunisia off but Ukraine were not interested in over committing. Shevchenko won a penalty which probably shouldn't have been given as it was just a clash of knee to leg when running for the ball. Shevchenko put the penalty away and Tunisia started putting on forwards, but it was too late then. They had a couple of late chances but the end thankfully came.
I'm watching Switzerland V South Korea tomorrow. Might have to tape the Germany V Sweden game as I might be playing in a 5-a-side tournament.
A day late :P
We certainly saw a slightly more interested Brazil and Ronaldo against Japan. Brazil had most of the ball and without Kawaguchi, Brazil would have been 3 up in 30 minutes. Surprisingly, Japan took the lead when Tamada lashed the ball home in space in the box. I suppose space in the box can be found against Brazil.
Brazil continued to play with the ball and Ronaldo popped up just before half time with a free header less than 6 yards out to level the scores.
The 2nd half was no different than the 1st. If anything, Brazil had more of the ball. Brazil didn't take long to take the lead as Juninho smashed the ball from outside the box and whooshed past Kawaguchi, although the keeper should have done better.
Brazil continued to press and scored a third when Gilberto, the left winger, ran with the ball into the box with plenty of time and slotted it home. The rout was complete with 8 minutes to go when Ronaldo received the ball on the edge of the box and stroked the ball in the corner of the net to equal Gerd Muller's record of 14 goals in World Cup games.
Japan needed to win by 2. They didn't, so it was up to either Australia and Croatia for the place in the 2nd round. Croatia took the lead after just 2 minutes when Srna scored a free kick.
Viduka was getting manhandled and wrestled to the ground as Australia searched for the equalizer. They got it when a Croatian player handballed in the box, which is like the 3rd handball in the box in the past 2 days. Moore put the penalty away for 1-1 at half time.
Croatia were celebrating again when Nico Kovac's shot was fumbled into the net by Kalac, who was selected over Mark Schwarzer. It seemed a bit of a silly move at this point.
Australia were desperate in their hunt for an equalizer. Another Croatian handball in the box was missed by the referee but it didn't matter when Kewell found himself with the ball with a bit of time and he scored, levelling the scores.
Then the controversy. Simic got sent off, followed by Brett Emerton. Then Graham Poll booked Simunic for a 2nd time but didn't show the red card and he stayed on the pitch. He then got a 3rd yellow and got sent off.
All this ended with Australia getting the draw, which was good enough to send them through to the last 16.
Brazil continued to play with the ball and Ronaldo popped up just before half time with a free header less than 6 yards out to level the scores.
The 2nd half was no different than the 1st. If anything, Brazil had more of the ball. Brazil didn't take long to take the lead as Juninho smashed the ball from outside the box and whooshed past Kawaguchi, although the keeper should have done better.
Brazil continued to press and scored a third when Gilberto, the left winger, ran with the ball into the box with plenty of time and slotted it home. The rout was complete with 8 minutes to go when Ronaldo received the ball on the edge of the box and stroked the ball in the corner of the net to equal Gerd Muller's record of 14 goals in World Cup games.
Japan needed to win by 2. They didn't, so it was up to either Australia and Croatia for the place in the 2nd round. Croatia took the lead after just 2 minutes when Srna scored a free kick.
Viduka was getting manhandled and wrestled to the ground as Australia searched for the equalizer. They got it when a Croatian player handballed in the box, which is like the 3rd handball in the box in the past 2 days. Moore put the penalty away for 1-1 at half time.
Croatia were celebrating again when Nico Kovac's shot was fumbled into the net by Kalac, who was selected over Mark Schwarzer. It seemed a bit of a silly move at this point.
Australia were desperate in their hunt for an equalizer. Another Croatian handball in the box was missed by the referee but it didn't matter when Kewell found himself with the ball with a bit of time and he scored, levelling the scores.
Then the controversy. Simic got sent off, followed by Brett Emerton. Then Graham Poll booked Simunic for a 2nd time but didn't show the red card and he stayed on the pitch. He then got a 3rd yellow and got sent off.
All this ended with Australia getting the draw, which was good enough to send them through to the last 16.
Page: