AW v Defending Champs June 21 @ 2am SS2,

it's a non-issue
just like the Slovakian call
we want linesman calling for the attacking side
officials must support goalscoring opportunities
the last thing the beautiful game needs is less goals

 

...and Garry Glitters too. studsuplads2010-06-21 13:06:16

Lets face it, we played pretty ugly but what a massive result. Pasty should have silenced his knockers by now and unfortunately, I don't think Moss will get a game now.

I went most of the morning feeling robbed, not just about the penalty but about Italy's disgusting tactics in general and the ref who bought them. With every New Zealand possession it was only a matter of time before the ref would find something to call up. With the extra possession, who knows?

I don't reckon that possession is right.  We did have periods where we held it for quite a while even if we never created a chance.

FIFA Stats:

Italy (ITA)StatisticsNew Zealand (NZL)23Shots37Shots on goal11Goals Scored111Fouls Committed2523Fouls Suffered1015Corner kicks012Free kicks Shots (scored)31 / 1Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots)0 / 01Offsides10Own goals00Yellow cards30Second yellow card and red card00Red Cards042Actual playing time3257%Possession (%)43%

Here's a video of Italy practising, you may have seen it but it explains a lot about their style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ukFUEI5qz8&feature=player_embedded

Repeated for truth.

The falling over, the exaggerated pain, the screaming protests, the howls of indignation when a card wasnt given.....

Yes. I am describing me watching the game, that's how it would have looked that if you peered through the window

I'm also talking about how Italy play, and how we knew they would play and had to be alert to. Generally we coped well with it, just a bit of inexperience by Smith up against a wily Italian.

Dont blame him for that though, the shirt pulling in and around the box is inconsistently penalised, it is a lottery depending on the referee (and you couldnt depend on this particular one ...)

Reid, Lochhead, Fallon and Nelsen all have cards, so we can ill-afford to have any of these guys missing for the second round (should we make it). But I know and the AWs know they won't leave anything in the locker room against Paraguay.

4 of the lads made the BBC team of the day
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8750355.stm

Check the keepers expression, as shocked as we were I suspect!

Smeltz just gave the Italian keeper a prostate exam and is showing off his finger to prove it.

And they are   Paston, Vicelich, Nelsen and Smeltz   

Bonza

Incredible night. I was in shock again when the goal went in, made such a dramatic leap that the cat exited the house taking the whole catflap including mechanism with him - didn't appear back for a few hours either. Fook me, thought i was still in bed dreaming.

Italy played smart, they made the ref aware of Fallons waggling elbows nice and early and fell over at the merest hint of a tug. Thats their style and anyone who was surprised hasn't been watching football for the last 20 years. Saying that I was impressed how we kept our shape and Pasty had a blinder. Our goal was offside but thats Karma, some you win, some you lose. The penalty was softer than a soft thing but no surprise, another ref might have booked the italian, its just unlucky and any contact in the penalty box is dangerous. Unbelieveable though and massive congrats to the boys for keeping the faith and working as a team - that was very evident.
Not like France eh ?

There were lots of lights on when we got up and heaps of people making noise - incredible, been here for 13 years and never ever ever thought football would be this big, brilliant.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/champions-stunned-as-smeltzs-sweet-strike-turns-world-on-its-head-2006144.html

love the headline -
Champions stunned as Smeltz's sweet strike turns world on its head

quote]As the final whistle in the Mbombela Stadium neared, New Zealand's fans stripped to the waist like southern-hemisphere Geordies acclaimed perhaps the greatest result in their history.[/quote]

ROUND OF 16 BABY!

Or at least that's what FIFA says!

I'm hoping they know something we don't!

http://bit.ly/a69kCy
ahmad2010-06-21 14:22:53

Vicelich included as Centre-back.

Good to see they watched the game.

Second place I've seen that today.

Even better is the sheer look of horror on the faces of Cannavaro, Chiellini and Marchetti as they watch Wood's shot going towards the goal (can be seen from one of the replays of the chance).

If only it had gone in.

Being associated with Geordies isn't really something to be proud of.

Fallon needs to find some way of jumping up but without elbowing guys in the face. Italy knew it was coming and they made the most of it. You'd think he would try and mix up his approach in the hope of finding something that works but doesn't result in fouls.

LOL

Lucky enough to have Siggy's mobile number and texted him to ask what happened - he replied they keep getting too excited and forget all about  the "dance"

I reminded him they should be used to scoring now (this world cup stuff is easy)  and better not forget next time!


keefy_NZ2010-06-21 14:33:25

Doloras2010-06-21 14:34:04

...treading on thin ice now... 

what a great result....  last night was just so good....

StellaJ2010-06-21 15:06:35

Right on mate, didn't know you had access to the inside info, appreciate it... Hopefully they pull it out of the hat against Paraguay!