A lot of controversies surrounding this year's World Cup tournament. I must admit though, it just makes the event even more interesting for casual followers like me.
I do have a few questions in mind though as I am not an expert in the sport.
1. Given the controversial ejection of Brazilian star Kaka, I was wondering, what offenses would warrant a yellow card? How about a red card?
2. Is there any possibility that the red card issued to Kaka would be recalled by the organizers after a review of some sort?
2. How come the great Ronaldhino is not playing for this year's Brazil team?
3. With Kaka probably out of the lineup in Brazil's next group match, how do you think would the team fare versus Cristiano Ronaldo and the entire Portuguese team?
4. What do you think is the reason behind the European team's early struggles in this year's World Cup? How come it seems as though only the South American teams (i.e. Argentina, Brazil) are performing at par with their expectations?
Hope you guys can chime in with your valuable answers and opinions so as to help me further appreciate the sport.
Hello and good morning. Great blog, by the way. There are all sorts of various reasons a yellow card is issued. It can go from a vicious or reckless tackle, such as a tackle from behind...or spikes up, a la Ty Cobb in baseball - lol. Two yellows in a game equal a red - or two yellows in successive games mean a suspension for the next match. As far as a review of a call...the United States wishes that were the case, but a call is a call and it stands, regardless of a controversy. The Irish wish that there was a review board after Thierry Henry's handball. The soccer gods are showing France the door, however, so karma is the ultimate review board.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Brazil will fare against Portugal, it's not of much consequence. They're through to the next round and they would probably have rested their star players for most or all of the next match anyway. Kaka's absence hurts little, unless POR absolutely annihilates PRK. Brazil will likely be pleased with a draw.
...as far as thoughts on South America dominance, my only reasoning is the coriolis effect. The Europeans must be shocked that when they flush the toilet, the water spins the other way in the southern hemisphere :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat South American dominance? The semis have three European teams and one South American.
ReplyDeleteBrazil wasn't playing the South American game. The clashes all footie fans relish are the clashes between Europe and South America, since they have different styles of football. But I was disappointed not to see the joyful, beautiful game the South Americans can play.
The French team were in complete disarray. Leaving stars like Thierry Henry on the bench seemed like spite. But yes, they got their druthers.
The Italians were an ageing team doing their last hurrah, and nobody expected a lot from them.
The English were awful, shamefully bad (I'm an England supporter, so I can say that, lol), compared to the Premiership performances. Maybe if Capello had played Rooney deep upfront and put Gerrard behind him and Crouch on the wing it might have worked better. And left Heskey at home. Without the magic of Sir Alex, Rooney seemed almost ordinary, but he was nursing an ankle injury, one he sustained at the end of the season. What England needs is to play the younger players like Walcott, as Germany has done.
The World Cup is a display, an exhibition. If this has got you going, watch the Premiership, Serie A and the German and Spanish leagues on ESPN next season.
And this, the most exciting end to a match ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mf8SC_UASg&feature=related
There's a whole history behind that match.