The Soccer Thread (IV)

A bit of a dry spell for the mighty Hawks, beaten 4-3 away to Dorchester Town on Tuesday, and held 1-1 at St. Albans today.

And Portsmouth lose. Oh, what a shock.

 

A minute in, Jermain Defoe hit this sick awesome bicycle to put Spurs up 1-0 on Manure. It's on FSC now, but if you don't catch it, find highlights. A thing of beauty and a joy forever. Still 1-0 in the 21st minute.

 

Just for historical accuracy, England were actually knocked out of the 1970 World Cup by, who else, West Germany, throwing away a 2-0 lead and losing 3-2. England were thought by many to actually be better that year than they were in 66. And the loss started a downhill slide that culminated in their missing the next two World Cups.

They were dreadfully unfortunate against West Germany in 1990, striking the post in extra-time. Argentina were in such disarray that the winner of that semifinal was almost guaranteed to win the final, which West Germany did. They probably were good enough to win in 1986 ... and that's all we'll say about that.

As for 1998, I'm not sure they get past the Dutch in the next round. Holland were playing incredibly well at that point. (Speaking of teams with World Cup mental locks ...)

Capello seems to have the mentality of the team in the right place, but I'm not sure he fully appreciates the level to which the pressure will rise over the next nine months. And, yes, they're good enough to win. And if nothing else, I'm convinced Capello will actually, you know, practice penalties, which Sven couldn't be arsed to do.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the Almunia own goal.

 

I only meant that if we are supposed to -- rightly, I think -- stand and praise Brazil '70 as the greatest team in world history, we ought to remember that one team went the distance with them. (Though some amount of credit is due to Banksy's right hand.)

 

Indeed. Indeed.

Definitely one of England's best teams, if not the best.

They'll be one of the best in South Africa. But if the best team always won, the Dutch would have two World Cups.

 

Ahem ... GIGGS!!!

Makes me feel young again seeing him score a goal.

 

Bogus second yellow on Scholes. Followed by a mystery offside on Rooney.

 

This is why England loses. Prior to a major competition (those they happen to have qualified for), their fans and media build them up as if this team is filled with reincarnations of Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne, Bobby Moore, etc. Then, when - shock of all shocks! Horrors! - soccer turns out to be a fickle beeyatch and the Lions lose, the optimism turns into a feeding frenzy.

Blame the WAGs, blame the referee, blame an individual player. Blame the fact the sun came out that day because "The lads do better in cloudy conditions!" Blame untimely injuries, because without them, England would surely hoist the Cup in every competition it happens to qualify for.

It's never "Bloody 'ell, they were just a better side than us today."

In 2006, Portugal was better than a talented England team that played a poor, poor World Cup.

In 2002, Brazil was better. Period, exclamation point, end of story.

In 1998, they lost their heads when Argentina played its chippy game. And they were too soft and young to deal with tough times. No shame in losing on PKs.

In 1994, they dreamed of future success.

In 1990 . . . they played an excellent tournament, reminding people that English soccer isn't just about hooliganism and stadium disasters. No shame in losing on PKs, especially to Germany. In the third-place game, they fell to a superior Italy team (Yes, even if Gazz had played) that had very realistic designs on hoisting the Cup.

In 1986, They played well, and were beaten, both by skill and savvy, by the Greatest Player of His Generation.

They will not win the damn World Cup in 2010. They will not win it in 2018. If they win the right to host 2022, it will be amusing to watch fans and media work themselves into a froth of unprecedented levels.

But don't fret. Maybe they'll get some more moral victories you can point to in years to come.

 

Skill, savvy and blatant cheating. But who's counting?

And Portugal were plenty talented in 2006. But they weren't trading on their talent.

And the target for hosting is really 2018. 2022 is more of a backup.

 

If the US gets the 2018 Cup, would FIFA give it to another English-speaking Anglo country in '22? I dunno, I figure I'll be dead by then. But I have my doubts.

 

The U.S. isn't getting the 18 Cup ahead of England. Sorry.

Van Persie has an official statement on Arsenal's Web site accusing Adebayor of deliberately trying to hurt him.