Africa

Robespierre wrote:Nothing of new.
I never will understand the hype and the expectations about African NTs, they will be crap even in South Africa 2014 when all thought that they would have given their best.

ghana 2010 deserved to be in the semi finals .

the thing i don't get is the expectations about asian teams... that whole gigantic  contient is yet to produce a single  bona fide world class player ffs , yet we have " experts " telling us that japan will be the next " first " time world cup winner

farfan wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Nothing of new.
I never will understand the hype and the expectations about African NTs, they will be crap even in South Africa 2014 when all thought that they would have given their best.

ghana 2010 deserved to be in the semi finals .

the thing i don't get is the expectations about asian teams... that whole gigantic  contient is yet to produce a single  bona fide world class player ffs , yet we have " experts " telling us that japan will be the next " first " time world cup winner

No they didnt

BeautifulGame wrote:

farfan wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Nothing of new.
I never will understand the hype and the expectations about African NTs, they will be crap even in South Africa 2014 when all thought that they would have given their best.

ghana 2010 deserved to be in the semi finals .

the thing i don't get is the expectations about asian teams... that whole gigantic  contient is yet to produce a single  bona fide world class player ffs , yet we have " experts " telling us that japan will be the next " first " time world cup winner

No they didnt

yes they did .

unless you think blocking shots with your hand is fair.

farfan wrote:

BeautifulGame wrote:

farfan wrote:


ghana 2010 deserved to be in the semi finals .

the thing i don't get is the expectations about asian teams... that whole gigantic  contient is yet to produce a single  bona fide world class player ffs , yet we have " experts " telling us that japan will be the next " first " time world cup winner

No they didnt

yes they did .

unless you think blocking shots with your hand is fair.

No they didn't. Unless you can convert a penalty.

BeautifulGame wrote:

farfan wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Nothing of new.
I never will understand the hype and the expectations about African NTs, they will be crap even in South Africa 2014 when all thought that they would have given their best.

ghana 2010 deserved to be in the semi finals .

the thing i don't get is the expectations about asian teams... that whole gigantic  contient is yet to produce a single  bona fide world class player ffs , yet we have " experts " telling us that japan will be the  next " first " time world cup winner

No they didnt

I agree with you. Far too many people have blamed Suarez for unfairly putting out Ghana in WC 2010. However in this case what he did was clearly spotted by the referee and immediate and correct punishment was applied. There are so many cases when such incidents in football go unpunished. Those players and teams should be blamed much more than Suarez and Uruguay. Here the one to blame is the much touted Ghana hero Asamoah Gyan who couldn't handle the pressure of the moment. Any team would kill for a last minute penalty in extra time. Ghana were given that and they blew it. Rather than blaming Suarez and Uruguay they would do well to look in the mirror.

Some thoughts on Africa in general.

1. The way Cameroon have regressed since 1990 is hurting to say the least and this in spite of having had a superstar like Samuel Eto'o. I think the problem is their federation. Whatever good work the coaches do it undoes it by having disputes with the players each and every time.

2. Ghana have been the pride of Africa for so many years. The last two times they over-performed and this time I give Klinsmann credit for USA to get the better of them while losing the last two times. Can Ghana still rescue their case? Unfortunately they are in a very tough group and face powerhouse Germany next.

3. If Cameroon's collapse hurts then what about Senegal? After the heroics of 2002 why have they become a remained such a complete nonentity for so many years?

4. Nigeria have done reasonably well but it's still a far cry from the glorious teams of 1994 and 1998.

5. Egypt had such a successful run in the African Cup of Nations but they could never take their form to the world cup, mostly not even qualifying for the tournament.

6. Lastly we come to the Ivory Coast. On paper easily Africa's strongest squad of the last few years but invariably flattering to deceive. The nadir was losing to Zambia in the ACN final. That was only one of countless occasions when they have flattered to deceive though. This time they have been given a very easy group almost as an apology for their groups of death in the last two world cups. Not making the second round this time would be unforgivable, what say?

Africa

Algeria

RealGunner wrote:Algeria

I have to admit I was premature in my criticism of this team. Playing really nicely today. Diego Maradona had said long before that he expected them to surprise.

lol at japan over CIV.
lol at korea over algeria.

and STILL... the worst region in football: asiaaaaaaaaaaa.

Massive match by Algeria against Korea
very glad about it ( after 2002 )