Group F Thread

[Ry009]

Might have to do a Rusty Crowe with em methinks.

 

[Arden]

Might have to do a Rusty Crowe with em methinks.

Bashing 'em with a phone? Bit harsh.

Good on the Kiwis. Never supported an NZ team in my life, but can't help but be impressed by the way they have handled themselves in this WC.

 

[Big Cox]

ALL GLORY TO KING RICKI

Surely we are not worthy, surely?

 

[western royboy]

ALL GLORY TO KING RICKI

Surely we are not worthy, surely?

Top Post Ricki is showing up a number of coaches and squads with a team of questionable quality but physically menacing and with a poacher upfront.

Oh for Scott McDonald now.

 

[Eric Blair]

LOL at all the hatred and bitterness at Italy. Seems some people are still bitter over 2006....

But in all seriousness well done to the Kiwis, they did what they had to do, and did it with grit and determination. Personally I thought the NZ goal was offside after seeing the replay, but thats football i guess, and it was balanced out by the De Rossi penalty. An excellent article on Zonal Marking sums up my thoughts: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/06/20/italy-1-1-new-zealand-tactics/

Poorly coached game by Lippi, only has one more chance to get the results. Ridiculous that he went in with a 4-4-2 formation against a 3-4-3 NZ team. Am stunned that Iaquinta is in this team, cant see why he cant try a formation of Di Natale - Gilardino - Quagliarella with a Montolivo/ Pirlo playing behind in a trequartista role. Also disappointed at how vulnerable Italy looks at defending a set piece.

Anyhow Avanti Italia and look foward to having an anxiety attack in the Italy-Holland match when it goes down to penalties.....

 

[RobV]

The NZ goal was off-side, but it doesn't matter, We had the chances to score and couldn't take them, partly due to the fact that Paston had a fantastic game.

Will have to do a lot better if we want to go anywhere in this world cup, hopefully Pirlo is fit and can return to the team.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Well done to NZ, completly owning Australia... at football. Who woulda thought.

Do you know anything about anything?

Australia BEAT NZ in a WC lead up match with some of its best players missing.

So how the hell are NZ owning Australia when they aren't even in the same pool?

 

[Leo Barry You Star]

Do you know anything about anything?

Australia BEAT NZ in a WC lead up match with some of its best players missing.

So how the hell are NZ owning Australia when they aren't even in the same pool?

Well I know who has a better chance of making the round of 16 ....

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Well I know who has a better chance of making the round of 16 ....

That has no relevance to "New Zealand owning Australia".

 

[Aucklander]

Well done boys. A very special moment. Gaining 1 point and a goal was probably what they'd have been aiming for but they've achieved so much more.

Highly unlikely they'll get through, but I doubt any Kiwi will care.

 

[bisazc887]

Well done to NZ, completly owning Australia... at football. Who woulda thought.

If Australia had 11 on 11 against Ghana they probly would have won 3-1 even with the penalty standing, NZ have done so well because Slov are crap (Aus would thrash them) and Italy despite all their possesion and outplaying NZ were that crap in their attack that they couldnt score. Good luck to NZ, taking nothing away but they had a 92nd(ish) minute goal against a crap team to draw and an offside goal allowed vs Australia a penalty against and 10 men both games...If you get carried away comparing that then you have no idea

 

[Leo Barry You Star]

Slov are crap (Aus would thrash them)

For a country which has won just one WC match from nine attempts, we sure have some arrogant fans

 

[ErnieSigley]

Just heard them speak on SEN about who is the star NZer of the tournament. They say Paston or Nelson but I believe the best thing they have going for them is Ricki Herbert. Miles above Pim and millions cheaper.

 

[bisazc887]

For a country which has won just one WC match from nine attempts, we sure have some arrogant fans

Selctive quoting at its best

But Maybe i still have more faith than you, you are probly the sort that jumps off as quick as you jumped on? 3 losses Weve had in the last 2 cups incl this one....Germany, Brazil and Italy (who went on to win the cup)....You are so negative its disgracefull

 

[Power King]

^NZ goalie was BOG in my opinion last night.

LOL at all the hatred and bitterness at Italy. Seems some people are still bitter over 2006....

But in all seriousness well done to the Kiwis, they did what they had to do, and did it with grit and determination. Personally I thought the NZ goal was offside after seeing the replay, but thats football i guess, and it was balanced out by the De Rossi penalty. An excellent article on Zonal Marking sums up my thoughts: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/06/20/italy-1-1-new-zealand-tactics/

Poorly coached game by Lippi, only has one more chance to get the results. Ridiculous that he went in with a 4-4-2 formation against a 3-4-3 NZ team. Am stunned that Iaquinta is in this team, cant see why he cant try a formation of Di Natale - Gilardino - Quagliarella with a Montolivo/ Pirlo playing behind in a trequartista role. Also disappointed at how vulnerable Italy looks at defending a set piece.

Anyhow Avanti Italia and look foward to having an anxiety attack in the Italy-Holland match when it goes down to penalties.....

That zonal marking site is quality, but I disagreed with some of the review on the italy nz game. I thought we looked far worse in the second half. We played our best football in the first half from the moment nz scored until the break.

I wouldn't blame it solely on Lippi, though he does deserve criticism. The passing game was just not up to scratch, and a lot of the first touches just weren't good enough.

I'm one of iaquinta's biggest critics, but honestly, what attacking formation would you go with? I'm a believer in having a big man up front to hold up the ball. I probably would have gone in with Di Natale and Iaquinta, as opposed to Gila and Iaquinta. We need Bobo back

Also, even if italy does manage to qualify from this group (and it's not a given, slovakia will probably score from a ****ing set piece), holland would smash us on current form. Sneijder and Robben would be passing the ball at will in the midfield.

Pirlo is needed big time right now. Big ****ing time, and the rest of the squad needs a kick up its arse. Shave all their heads, tell all the groupies to **** off, and keep the boys on the training pitch. Very pissed off with the way italy played last night.

I accepted the draw against paraguay because they are a quality team and italy still performed decently, but the way italy played against nz was piss poor. Credit to NZ for the organisation in defence, but still, italy was sub-standard and it cost the team heavily.

 

[that_dood]

For the record Moss is now free to play. But after Paston's performance I doubt we will see him.

Brilliant match from the Kiwis and even better they did it against the dirty Italians.

 

[bisazc887]

For the record Moss is now free to play. But after Paston's performance I doubt we will see him.

Brilliant match from the Kiwis and even better they did it against the dirty Italians.

Ha...1 shot on target (an offside goal) and 30 % possesion and its a brilliant match...You are easily convinced

 

[r dub 19]

Ha...1 shot on target (an offside goal) and 30 % possesion and its a brilliant match...You are easily convinced

You mad.

 

[that_dood]

Ha...1 shot on target (an offside goal) and 30 % possesion and its a brilliant match...You are easily convinced

No, I watch the game with my eyes open unlike some who have the Italian flag in one hand and their dick in the other.

 

[belfast_bomber]

Objectively speaking, New Zealand have certainly ridden their luck in both matches, but I don't think they care right now and I can't say I blame them. And it's not just luck, they've also shown trimindous spurut and cherectur.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Ryan Nelson = How a captain should be. Never back chats the ref, organises his defence extremely well and is always there to throw in a last ditch block. A true champion of NZ Football. Lucas Neill take note of how to be a captain you dimwitted ********.

 

[Crimson King]

Pirlo is needed big time right now. Big ****ing time, and the rest of the squad needs a kick up its arse. Shave all their heads, tell all the groupies to **** off, and keep the boys on the training pitch. Very pissed off with the way italy played last night.

Capitan Futuro should keep his beard.

 

[Plugger35]

Just heard them speak on SEN about who is the star NZer of the tournament. They say Paston or Nelson but I believe the best thing they have going for them is Ricki Herbert. Miles above Pim and millions cheaper.

Nelsen has been terrific as captain and has marshalled the NZ defence superbly. Paston was brilliant against Italy too. Smeltz has also had a very good tournament so far, he was the one that set up the equaliser against Slovakia with a great cross and then got the opening goal against Italy. He may have been off side but he still did well to take his opportunity when it presented itself.

Agree about Ricki Herbert too, he has the NZ team playing well as a cohesive unit and with great spirit. He is apparently the cheapest of the coaches at the World Cup by a considerable margin but has already shown a few of his higher paid coaching contemporaries up.

As an NZ supporter I wasn't expecting much at this World Cup, thought we would be making up the numbers and was happy to just see them make it. They have already exceeded expectations by a considerable margin regardless of whether they progess past the group stage or not. It will give the game a huge boost in popularity in NZ, like the Socceroos did in Australia 4 years ago.

 

[OzBomber]

If Paston wasn't the age he is, a European side would be snapping him up quick smart. He's been brilliant besides the blunder early in the first game.

 

[ErnieSigley]

Paston is a bit overated, he susceptible to the howler every so often, the one in game 1 wasn't punished