The World Cup Approacheth

[arturo7]

It's not so much the dive itself, but the asinine flailing antics that go with it.

 

[JayInJersey]

As an American and a Soccer (yes Soccer) fan I think the one thing that could help the game...GETTING RID OF THOSE DAMN NOISE MAKERS!!!

When did this start? I don't remember it when I say the Ladies play in Philadelphia a few years back (jeez has it been that long?)
I'm starting to have issues with a game that makes me think a bee is near me...

Actually now that I think about it...back when I was a kid and played soccer bee stings happened all the time due to the orange wedges handed out at half time

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

At risk of sounding racist/stereotyping, it's a hugely "Latin" issue, that's spread to every country now. (Historically, the worst culprits for this have been the South and Central Americans, and the inventors of the dive, Italy)

Thanks for saying that. I was unsure how to handle it diplomatically.

Diving certainly is a problem, and needs to be dealt with much more severely. I think they should introduce a new kind of free kick for that offense. One which involves the diver staying on the ground and the boots of the opposition.

 

[arturo7]

One which involves the diver staying on the ground and the boots of the opposition.

That'll give them something to flail about!

 

[Ouroboros]

I think they should introduce a new kind of free kick for that offense. One which involves the diver staying on the ground and the boots of the opposition.

How about this:

If you get caught diving, you get a yellow card (as you do now) and also, the person on whom you tried to draw the foul gets a "freebie". The next time he fouls the guilty player is a no-call as long as the foul isn't a red card offense.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

How about this:

If you get caught diving, you get a yellow card (as you do now) and also, the person on whom you tried to draw the foul gets a "freebie". The next time he fouls the guilty player is a no-call as long as the foul isn't a red card offense.

If it was a bookable offense, he would get red carded for the second yellow anyway.

 

[Beernik]

I haven't watched a whole lot this year so far. But the flailing and flopping isn't isn't nearly as bad as what I remember from 86, 90, and 94.

Back in 86, it was like you could count on at least 5 major flops a game for at least 2 minutes of stoppage each. It was like the flop was being used as a time out.

With that said, it's not like I haven't seen other sports (NBA) where players overly dramatize fouls and flop to the ground.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

What about shut out baseball games? Or how most football games only have 3-4 scores? Maybe soccer should just call each goal 6 points... that would make it way better because then there would be more scoring...

The "there's no scoring in soccer" talk is crap.
Case in point, the results from today:

ARG-KOR 4:1
GRE-NGA 2:1
FRA-MEX 0:2 (HUGE win by the way. That pretty much guarantees their advance to the 2nd round)

I make the above quoted argument to my dumb friends all the time. At least in soccer there is constant play and you're not constantly bombarded by advertisements and commentators who have endless amounts of time (due to huge gaps of action) to talk about topics that have nothing to do with the game; I have come to really loathe the latter. Plus I've always found the English, Scottish and Irish commentators to be very professional and incredibly charming and are just great to listen to.

 

[user 40839]

The "there's no scoring in soccer" talk is crap.

Usually, I've found that the same people who say that a 2-1 match has no scoring, and that it bored them to death, have absolutely NO problem with a 14-7 NFL game...

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Usually, I've found that the same people who say that a 2-1 match has no scoring, and that it bored them to death, have absolutely NO problem with a 14-7 NFL game...

But that game only takes 12 minutes to play, that's a LOT of points! You just gotta learn to enjoy the endless ads and ass scratching, I guess.

Edit: I just researched it, apparently it's 12 minutes if you are lucky.

 

[Gremlyn]

A little off topic, but I just found this: http://leejasper.com/node/74

I get what he's saying, but I think the guy is taking it a little out of context. 'Rule, Britannia" has been sung at football matches for forever and is no way intended to be racist. I doubt 99% of the fans singing in the stadium(s) even considered the implications it has.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

A little off topic, but I just found this: http://leejasper.com/node/74

I get what he's saying, but I think the guy is taking it a little out of context. 'Rule, Britannia" has been sung at football matches for forever and is no way intended to be racist. I doubt 99% of the fans singing in the stadium(s) even considered the implications it has.

Jeezus. It's just a traditional song. In the same way as those fooking horns are traditional.

Edit: I just read the rest of this guy's site. I won't be worrying about his agenda, i have better things to do.

 

[JayInJersey]

Argh...the agony

This is getting painful to watch


And someone PLEASE stop that buzzing....wait nevermind that might be the 10am beers

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

sad panda....

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Buggar.

 

[JayInJersey]

i think i'm more upset that we lost Finley next game for bullsh$t

 

[HoppyDaze]

goal!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JayInJersey]

Bullsh$t!!!!

 

[HoppyDaze]

they took one from us!

 

[Joker]

USA has been robbed....this has got to be some of the worst officiating I have seen.

 

[JayInJersey]

I believe the official reason for not allowing the USA goal was "Illegal comeback"

...inconceivable

 

[Joker]

I believe the official reason for not allowing the USA goal was "Illegal comeback"

...inconceivable

absolutely unreal, especially when you see two fouls being commited against the US in the replays.

 

[arturo7]

unbelievable

 

[arturo7]

Here's something to take your mind off of the abysmal officiating...

http://www.disinfo.com/2010/06/are-north-koreas-world-cup-fans-hired-chinese-actors/

 

[midfielder5]

We need instant replay.
T. Henry's handball and now this?
Incredible, FIFA !

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I cannot believe the officiating in that game. Bad both ways, but IMO worse for the US based on the Findley call, the lame arse hand ball call and the egregious non-goal. Just total crap. Should have gone down as the best comeback of the tournament, instead, the US will have to scramble and depend on other outcomes to advance... sad.

 

[user 40839]

Yep, that was absolutely horrible. USA dodged a bullet in the first half - Dempsey should have been sent off in the first 30 seconds, he knew exactly what he was doing there. But the ref certainly made it up to the Slovenians. I don't think it was as one sided as some folks are thinking, but the disallowed goal was an absolute joke.

Been a weeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiird World Cup so far...

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I think the officiating has been great so far, but that game was a joke. Too inconsistent. Sometimes it was like a wrestling match out there with no calls and continued play. Then several very touch and go fouls and a ton of yellow cards. Just lame. Officiating should not directly affect the outcome of the game (taking a goal away) especially on a close call (or none int his case).

 

[Joker]

I can't believe the ref's are allowed to call a foul but do not have to state against who or for what!!!

 

[Homercidal]

Now other people can see what us Tigers fans feel like.