World Cup Discussion Thread [Day 1]

[Novo]

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz173/CapitanRaul/WorldCupGroups.png

Friday, 11 June 2010

South Africa 1 v 1 Mexico, Gp A, 15:00
Tshabalala, 55 Marquez, 79


Uruguay 0 v 0 France, Gp A, 19:30


Saturday, 12 June 2010

Argentina v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00
England v USA, Gp C, 19:30
South Korea v Greece, Gp B, 12:30

[setanta]

Ah, there's two matches tomorrow? Happy days. Thought it might have been just the opening and the hosts match. Come on Uraguay!

[Novo]

South Africa team to play Mexico: Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela.


Mexico team: To be announced.

[Novo]

Ah, there's two matches tomorrow? Happy days. Thought it might have been just the opening and the hosts match. Come on Uraguay!

Yeah and 3 on saturday!

[Novo]

South Africa v Mexico preview

Hosts South Africa kick-off the World Cup against Mexico in the opening game of this summer's tournament.

South Africa is at fever pitch as they prepare to become the first African country to stage football's greatest showpiece.

Soccer City in Johannesburg is the venue for the game with both sides looking to get their Group A campaign off to a positive start.

South Africa go into the encounter in high spirits as they are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, while Mexico are buoyed by their recent friendly win over World Cup holders Italy.

France and Uruguay make up the rest of Group A so South Africa and Mexico will be looking to put the pressure on their rivals with victory in the opening fixture.

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has named his starting XI and he is sticking with the team that beat Guatemala 5-0 and Denmark 1-0 in their last two warm-up matches.

It means regular left-back Tsepo Masilela will start on the bench despite recovering from injury which forced him to miss the wins over Guatemala and Denmark.

Lucas Thwala will continue at full-back while goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is fit to take his place between the posts after recovering from a back problem.

Creative

The hosts will look to midfield star Steven Pienaar to provide the creative edge for them in midfield, while Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena will captain the side.

With Benni McCarthy being left out of the squad Katlego Mphela is expected to lead the attack for the home side.

Mexico are boosted by the return of key duo Rafael Marquez and Guillermo Franco ahead of the game.

Barcelona star Marquez trained for the first time in South Africa earlier this week and he could go straight into the starting line-up.

Franco has shaken off a foot problem leaving Mexico coach Javier Aguirre with a dilemma on who to play in attack.

Arsenal's Carlos Vela is set to be given one of the two spots up front leaving Aguirre to decide between Franco and Manchester United-bound ace Javier Hernandez to partner Vela.

Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos will be the man charged with providing the ammunition for Mexico's forwards as they look upset South Africa.

Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio are battling it out to start at left-back with Salcido expected to get the nod at full-back.

http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6199576,00.html

[30stone]

Carlos Vela Hatrick!

You will see!

[King Gizzard]

If Gourcuff is on form France will go far in this Tournie

[King Gizzard]

Opening ceremony about to start

[Locke.]

R. Kelly about to blow the world away

[Ninastar]

go mexico!

[Locke.]

South Africa will win.

[Ninastar]

I know. I still want mexico to win though :D

[30stone]

If Gourcuff is on form France will go far in this Tournie


I hope so, as his price can't rise his buyout clause on contract is 21.5m hope we buy him quickly.
South Africa will win.
Vela hatrick.

[King Gizzard]

Ah ffs I wish BBC had this so we don't have to have all these adverts

[Locke.]

There is Nate's favourite thing about the World Cup

[Nemo123]

Mexico aren't great, but still too good for SA.

[King Gizzard]

Them bloody horns lol!! and it hasnt even started yet

[Nemo123]

Them bloody horns lol!! and it hasnt even started yet

All those vulvas are very horny.

[King Gizzard]

My darkhorses for this tournament are Serbia theyre so underrated their team is quite brilliant

[setanta]

I'm listening to Dunphy waffle on Irish channel. Such an eejit but great telly.

[setanta]

Bought a Serbian defender in the fantasy thing because they could be a tough nut to crack.

[Ninastar]

they all look so scary!

[King Gizzard]

I always love to hear the chants and the bands and the culture that comes through them at the games, won't be possible this year cause of them horns :(

[King Gizzard]

I bet everyone but Britain and Ireland think Blatter and Platini are saints now...

[Nemo123]

I always love to hear the chants and the bands and the culture that comes through them at the games, won't be possible this year cause of them horns :(

Fifa has said as soon as one is thrown on the pitch they'll be banned.

[Ninastar]

I always love to hear the chants and the bands and the culture that comes through them at the games, won't be possible this year cause of them horns :(

same actually :(

[setanta]

Blatter and Platini are corrupt little f£cks. Stadium is beautiful to be fair to SA.

[Ninastar]

woah! is that TV real!?

[King Gizzard]

Manbungo!!

[Nemo123]

2 hours of this!

[King Gizzard]

Best name of the tournament = Waldo Ponce (Chile) :joker:


SA have a few good ones too

[King Gizzard]

I had a look and a cheeky kick of the world cup ball in a shop the other day..the players are right to complain its awful

[Nemo123]

Probably just getting their excuses in early.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Ahhhhhhhhh I'm so excited!!!

Not watching the opening ceremony though, well I may flick on and off it because Rafa is playing at the moment on Eurosport lol

Can't wait for the first match later!

[Locke.]

The king!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KG.]

At least R Kelly isn't miming.. :rolleyes:

[King Gizzard]

Keep forgetting Algeria is an African country

[Locke.]

At least R Kelly isn't miming.. :rolleyes:

The verses were sung and the chorus mimed

[KG.]

The verses were sung and the chorus mimed

The whole thing was mimed lol.. he forgot to open his mouth and licked his lips at one point in the first verse.

[Locke.]

Listen to the Studio version then compare it :)

[Big Brother Fan]

Vaaaaaaamos Argentina!!

[Jase]

0As if its finished i only just turned it on

[King Gizzard]

Listen to the Studio version then compare it :)

Artists do do alternative versions just to make people think its live lol

Deffinetly think it was mimed

[KG.]

Artists do do alternative versions just to make people think its live lol

Deffinetly think it was mimed

This.

For big performances like that, most artists pre record it, then mime so people can say "Oh, but it wasn't the same as the studio version" :tongue:

[Nemo123]

Shebeen means pub in SA

A shebeen (Irish: sibín) was originally an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold without a licence.

The term has spread far from its origins in Ireland, to Scotland, Canada, the United States, England[1], Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa.

In modern South Africa, many "shebeens" are now fully legal

[Locke.]

Oh well lol.

Anyway.. About to put a bet on South Africa to win this game

[Novo]

R kelly

****e as usual

[Novo]

Actually think South Africa v Mexico will be a good game

[MissKittyFantastico]

http://bettingexpertblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/steven-pienaar-south-africa-team.jpg

Shall be cheering on SA and our Peanut today (even though he's probably gonna leave Everton if they do well lol)

[Nemo123]

SA are real no-hopers. Nearly all their players are based at home.

[Novo]

Keep forgetting Algeria is an African country

Same. LOL

[Locke.]

Bow down to the man who is going to win me some money

http://images.football365.com/09/06/247x247/Katlego-Mphela_2323510.jpg

[Novo]

Blanco will score today

[Nemo123]

Blanco and Franco.

[setanta]

I think Mexico will do the hosts today unfortunately.

[Nemo123]

I think Mexico will do the hosts today unfortunately.

Didn't even qualify for the 2010 AC of Nations.

[setanta]

Didn't even qualify for the 2010 AC of Nations.

I always love seeing the host nation doing well, but don't think it'll happen this time. Three other decent sides in their group.

[Locke.]

Host nation = never lost an opening game

Mexico = never won an opening game

[Nemo123]

Host nation = never lost an opening game

Mexico = never won an opening game

Got 0-0 written all over it.

[Locke.]

South Africa have so much expectation riding on them... They'll score early on.

[Novo]

Hope it's like the 2006 world cup opening game

What a great game

Germany 4-2 Costa Rica

[MissKittyFantastico]

South Africa will win 3-2.

[King Gizzard]

2-2

Even though I put a Mexico 2-1 win

[King Gizzard]

Giovani Dos Santos

Ipswich cult hero

[Nemo123]

Souness doesn't fancy SA's chances. He's "worried for them".

[KG.]

I predicted 1-2 Mexico also, and I'm going to stand by that.

I'm in two minds as to who I want to win aswell, I really want SA to do well as it's their world cup, but I want Mexico to make it to the Quarters so I can win some money from the Sure Men sweepstake thing :laugh: Failing that, I think Ivory Coast is my best chance..

**** it, come on South Africa!! Mexico can win their next two games instead.

[KG.]

LOL, anybody else think it was Harry Hill at the start of the ITV opening thing for "Sing sing Africa."

[Locke.]

Here we go.. Mphela, aka Killer, is going to smash in a couple.

[Novo]

Here we go Dos santos

Destroy the Hosts

[King Gizzard]

Souness doesn't fancy SA's chances. He's "worried for them".

You've got Souness commentating for you over there? I feel sorry for you lol

[KG.]

Atmosphere must be ****ing immense.

[King Gizzard]

After all the build up now I want SA to win

[MissKittyFantastico]

Ahhhhhhhhh it looks so amazing there

Come on SA!!!

[King Gizzard]

Get off my screen Blatter you ****

[setanta]

F£ck off you wan£er.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Blatter = everything that's wrong with football today

[Nemo123]

I can forgive Thiery Henry, but I'll never forgive Blatter for laughing at Ireland.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Arggghhh **** off with those damn buzzy bee things!!!!

[Novo]

Get on with it

[setanta]

Love if he started singing the opening track to the Lion King. Don't ask me why I'm thinking that. Just shot into my head.

[KG.]

Love if he started singing the opening track to the Lion King. Don't ask me why I'm thinking that. Just shot into my head.

:laugh2:

[King Gizzard]

The cheek of having the mexican team out there for that speech

[KG.]

Nice to see the SA fans being respectful during the Mexico anthem aswell.

[King Gizzard]

Khune

Most innapropriate name ever

[Locke.]

If Mphela scores today you must all get up and do a South African dance

[Nemo123]

Khune

Most innapropriate name ever

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/****z.jpg

[Novo]

Come on Dos santos destroy them all :)

[Nemo123]

Expecting this to be dirty

[MissKittyFantastico]

Peanut :)

[BigSister]

those buzzer things are going to annoy me soooo much

[Novo]

My Tip nearly scored the Opening goal of the world cup

[King Gizzard]

Khune already showing he is the best keeper at the world cup

[*mazedsalv**]

Dont know who i want to win here.

[Novo]

Mexico are playing good football

Great build up play already.. I can see them creating a lot of chances here

[Nemo123]

I wouldn't like to have money riding on SA.

[King Gizzard]

Salv I have just seen the Italy shirt for this tournament

What the hell is that!! It looks like theyve got darth vader on their shirts

http://cdn.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/italy-home-world-cup-shirt1.jpg

[Boothy]

Mexico looking the stronger side so far. Good build up play, especially down the right hand side. South Africa look like they're relying on Mphela and Khune too much.

[Novo]

Looked like that was going to be a penalty at first

[Novo]

This Ref is giving a lot to south africa...

[Nemo123]

Dive!

[MissKittyFantastico]

Blatant dive there

[Boothy]

Yellow card for that?!

[Novo]

Handball LOL!!!! What the ****

[KG.]

Is the Uraguay - France game on ITV tonight aswell?

[Novo]

Think so KG

[Boothy]

Is the Uraguay - France game on ITV tonight aswell?

BBC I think.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Nah it's on BBC KG

[KG.]

Ahh I see cheers :thumbs:

[Novo]

Send him off!!!

[MissKittyFantastico]

Those buzzy things are really pissing me off already, they should be banned

[Novo]

Amazing Build up again

Great vision by Vela

[King Gizzard]

Khune!!

[Nemo123]

You'd be high blowing those things all day

[King Gizzard]

They don't create an atmosphere its just noise

The chanting creates the atmosphere

Bloody well hope there arent as many for the England game

[Novo]

Dos santos

What a player

[BigSister]

I knew they would bug me and im right stupid annoying things!

[Boothy]

VERY good decision.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Ahhhh bollox, could see that coming a mile off though

[King Gizzard]

http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/content/Itumeleng-KhuneMTNWL.jpg

[Novo]

****e Rule

It should be done on last defender and someone was playing Vela onside

[Nemo123]

Goal!

We're a minute ahead here in Ireland.

[MissKittyFantastico]

What goal? lol

0-0 half time, Mexico definitely the better side

[Boothy]

Meh, decent first half I suppose.

[Novo]

Not a patch on the 06 opening game

But still decent enough and was more open towards the end of the half

[MissKittyFantastico]

SA playing much better the last 10mins or so, hopefully get some goals in the second half, bit scrappy at the moment

[Locke.]

Mphela... if only he was 1 inch taller :(

[Nemo123]

My 0-0 looking good.

[King Gizzard]

Don't know if I can stand a month of Beglin and Chiles


BBC coverage > ITV coverage

[MissKittyFantastico]

BBC coverage will piss all over this, I can't stand grumpy old man Chiles

[Novo]

Get Blanco on..

He's 37 and should be playing sunday league but hey we all love an Icon

[Nemo123]

We got Dunphy, Souness and Giles.

[Big Brother Fan]

The commentary was a couple of seconds ahead so I turned over to ITV 1

[King Gizzard]

O'neill is always out with BBC at the tournaments doing punditry

Wonder if hes there this year

[setanta]

It wont stay 0-0. 2-0 to Mexico I'd say. Should be ahead at this stage anyway.

[Novo]

Franco is a free agent now

Wonder who he'll end up at

[King Gizzard]

Can't see me watching much of BB with 3 games a day

[MissKittyFantastico]

I haven't seen any BB since last night, another game later and 3 tomorrow is it?

I'm determined to watch all the games this year, will record the ones I'm out for so not much time for BB tbh

[King Gizzard]

I haven't seen any BB since last night, another game later and 3 tomorrow is it?

I'm determined to watch all the games this year, will record the ones I'm out for so not much time for BB tbh

France game is on til 10..bb starts at 9...I ll watch it on 4+1

[Novo]

France game is on til 10..bb starts at 9...I ll watch it on 4+1

Would be funny if C4 +1 got better ratings for BB then C4

[MissKittyFantastico]

France game is on til 10..bb starts at 9...I ll watch it on 4+1

Good thinking Batman!

[Novo]

Is that Hernandez

[Nemo123]

Is that Hernandez

Don't think so

[King Gizzard]

The person coming on with curly hair is Guardado..though hed be starting hes one of mexicos best players

[Nemo123]

looked offside

[King Gizzard]

What a brilliant goal. Take a bow son!

[MissKittyFantastico]

Goaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!

[GiRTh]

Great Goal

[Boothy]

Goooooaaaal!

[MissKittyFantastico]

Yes! Come on lads lets have another!!

[KG.]

What a goal!

[Novo]

Amazing goal

[setanta]

What a fecking goal!

[King Gizzard]

Khune is fcking loving it!

[King Gizzard]

Them horns are so loud it almost seemed quieter when they were celebrating lol

[Locke.]

Bafana bafana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Novo]

Tshabalala

[Novo]

Remember that name

[MissKittyFantastico]

Khune is amazing

[Shaun]

that was a rather wonderful goal.

BUT AAAAAGH THE BUZZING

[GiRTh]

I've got 2-1 to SA in the prediction thread.

[King Gizzard]

Forget about Schwarzer, Khune is who Arsenal need

[Novo]

I still can't see Mexico not scoring

[Shaun]

Our commentator went a bit crazy when they scored, didn't he? D:

[MissKittyFantastico]

Our commentator went a bit crazy when they scored, didn't he? D:

Haha that was almost as amazing as the goal :laugh:

[Nemo123]

Our commentator went a bit crazy when they scored, didn't he? D:

bound to sound a bit crazy shouting shalalala

[King Gizzard]

Already loving this world cup apart from those plastic instruments of doom that shall not be named

[Novo]

Here is Blanco

Let the show Commence

[setanta]

I still can't see Mexico not scoring

They had their chances first half though. Maybe the new strikers will make the difference.

[King Gizzard]

Manures new striker coming on

[Shaun]

there seem to be south africans marking everywhere. It's like Madonna's ideal shopping venue.

[Novo]

Mexico need Jared Borgetti

[MissKittyFantastico]

Goal!!

[Novo]

It was coming

[MissKittyFantastico]

Ahhhh come on SA!!

[Shaun]

Awww. I'd feel sorry for SA if the horns hadn't stopped. Now I want Mexico to annihilate the feckers.

[setanta]

Marquez scored! F£ck me. Come on Mexico, one more goal. Said 2-1 for Mexico in the prediction game.

[Novo]

Come on Mexico

Kill them off

[Novo]

Marquez scored! F£ck me. Come on Mexico, one more goal. Said 2-1 for Mexico in the prediction game.

Think i did as well

although am not 100% sure

[KG.]

Marquez scored! F£ck me. Come on Mexico, one more goal. Said 2-1 for Mexico in the prediction game.

:laugh:

Same.

[Shaun]

I said 1-1 in the predictions :D

[MissKittyFantastico]

You bastards, I want SA to win

I said 3-2 to SA :laugh:

[setanta]

Think i did as well

although am not 100% sure

And I had Marquez in Fantasy thing but sold him for a cheaper Mexican defender. Fecking typical.

[GiRTh]

Sh*t defending. Three players un-marked.

[MissKittyFantastico]

Oh ffs Peanut going off, he's in my starting 11 in the fantasy thing

[Nemo123]

Oh ffs Peanut going off, he's in my starting 11 in the fantasy thing

Doing your nut in?

[Novo]

And I had Marquez in Fantasy thing but sold him for a cheaper Mexican defender. Fecking typical.

Just checked i put 1-1

Only player i had in my team from this game was Pienaar and he won't be picking up many points

[Stacey.]

i hope Mexico win

[MissKittyFantastico]

Doing your nut in?

Pienaar = Peanut lol

[Shaun]

no players from these teams in mine...2 Frenchmen though :spin2:

[MissKittyFantastico]

Only player i had in my team from this game was Pienaar and he won't be picking up many points

Same.

[setanta]

Just checked i put 1-1

Only player i had in my team from this game was Pienaar and he won't be picking up many points

Yeah, have Pienaar myself. Kinda opted for premiership players as often as I could and then took a gamble on a few South American and Asian players.

[Shaun]

cue Man City tracking Tshabalala.

[setanta]

Mexico try to be far too clever with the ball, with their flicks and all of that shi%e. When there's only a few mins left for feck sake.

[Novo]

Unlucky

[Shaun]

jesus. that's harsh.

[GiRTh]

So close. That would have given me my 2-1 prediction.

[GiRTh]

Keeper would have missed it too.

[Novo]

On Reflection i think 1-1 is a fair result

[setanta]

Yep, Mexicans won the first half and SA the second so a draw is fair.

[GiRTh]

Yep, Mexicans won the first half and SA the second so a draw is fair.Its been a game of two halfs.:spin:

[MissKittyFantastico]

Ahhhhh dammit, fair result though.

[Shaun]

proof if ever needed that I am the oracle.

[Nemo123]

But for a couple of goals that would have been a nil - nil

[King Gizzard]

There is a break yet there is only 3 minutes to go of the scheduled time, lol

[Ninastar]

South Africa will win.

oh rly?

[Novo]

He is always wrong

[Shaun]

Uruguay 1-2 France. You heard it here first.

[MissKittyFantastico]

I predicted 3-1 to France

[Ninastar]

He is always wrong

and I was so right!

[Locke.]

No you wasn't, because Mexico didn't win either :joker:

[Novo]

France 5-0 Uruguay

Anelka
Malouda
Henry (2)
Abidal

[Big Brother Fan]

I would be suprised if Henry even played let alone scored.

France 0-1 Uruguay

[Novo]

Henry will come on with 20 minutes to go and score twice

[KG.]

France 3-0 Uruguay

Anelka x2
Gourcuff

[Wildcat!]

Good start south Africa. They deserved the tie. GOt dominated most the first half, I think they were pprobably nervous, and came alive towards the end of the 1st. Very good 2nd half by both teams. I must say, I am surprised. I thought they were gona get embarrased by Mexico, but I was wrong!

France I think will beat uruguay. Theyve been so bad lately, I think they might start playing well, just at the perfect time.

[King Gizzard]

Theyve been so bad lately, I think they might start playing well, just at the perfect time.

My thoughts exactly

[King Gizzard]

Hope Gourcuff plays well. Tipping him to be the next best player of the world

[Locke.]

Uruguay will score.

[Ninastar]

No you wasn't, because Mexico didn't win either :joker:

oh. okay lmao. :"(

[Novo]

Adebayor!!!!!

[King Gizzard]

Why is that **** there


can hardly even understand him

[MissKittyFantastico]

What a cock he is

[Novo]

Seedorf the great one

[King Gizzard]

Seedorf what a legend

[Harry!]

Our tutor group is doing a mini sweep stake where whoever wins will win lots of chocolates as a prize. Mine being Honduras I have no chance!

[GiRTh]

All the Arsenal fans turned off when Adebayor came on.

[King Gizzard]

Harry Honduras are one of the favourites

[King Gizzard]

All the Arsenal fans turned off when Adebayor came on.

Them plus 80% of football fans

[King Gizzard]

That was the worst booking ever to get Adebayor lmao

[Novo]

All the bitter irish fan's look away now LOL!!!!

[Novo]

harry honduras are one of the favourites

lol!!!

[Novo]

Our tutor group is doing a mini sweep stake where whoever wins will win lots of chocolates as a prize. Mine being Honduras I have no chance!

Those Chocolates are as good as yours

[Shaun]

bubuzela fail.

[Novo]

I hope Setanta will be watching this

[Harry!]

Those Chocolates are as good as yours

I dot have any Chocolates...

[King Gizzard]

You will do in a months time

[Novo]

I dot have any Chocolates...

I never said you did

[Novo]

But

[Novo]

They are as good as yours

Because Honduras have it in the bag

[GiRTh]

I've got his one as 1-1 so I hope its a dull game.

[Shaun]

predicted a france win but am secretly cheering on the Uruguayans.

[King Gizzard]

I don't really care with this one I just want to see some good football

[Harry!]

They are as good as yours

Because Honduras have it in the bag

Oh right...

[Novo]

not really a fan of south american teams.. Only Ecuador

So hoping for a france win

[MissKittyFantastico]

I've got France down to win but I'd love them to lose really

[Novo]

Lawro is really rubbing it in the Irish faces

[GiRTh]

not really a fan of south american teams.. Only Ecuador

So hoping for a france win
When was the last time you went to an Ecudor home game? Thats a lot of money to pay just for a football match.

[King Gizzard]

I only really like Colombia from SA and I don't know why

[Novo]

When was the last time you went to an Ecudor home game? Thats a lot of money to pay just for a football match.

I don't mean fan as in fan... I mean as in i like :p

[GiRTh]

Sh*t, Gallas is playing. No points for me then as I couldn't get him off my subs bench in time for the game