Why do these technophobes think the human element is out with the introduction of video analysis. Have the infrared cameras and video replays taken out the human element in tennis or cricket?
In fact, more people have started walking in cricket (after being out) than ever because they know they would be caught on the big screen lying.
FIFA is hypocritical when it says it does not want to rely on video cameras for any decision-making. Have they forgotten that the referee had NOT EVEN SEEN the Zidane headbutt against Matterazzi in last 2006, until the video cameras finally showed the replays.
It was only then that the referee decided to red card Zidane. So, the video-based decision-making is already there along with the human element.
Since the klinsmann era(2004), The germans are playing a good mix of european pace, accuracy and latin american attack, innovation. And along with that they are extremely organised with never say die attitude as they always have been and united as a team. They would never go for individual glory unlike some of the other players often do.
Germany-Argentina is going to be an absorbing match. I would bet for Germany to win on 3rd july. May be we are going to see Germany-Nederlands final?
England are too good for only their clubs. Over hyped team should have gone at Group stage itself. But somehow got to pre quarter. Germans showed where England team is - a team not qualified for Euro 2008.
England = India France = Pakistan Spain = South Africa Argentina = Australia of today Brazil = Australia of 90s Germany = Australia of today Portugal = England of Ashes 2005 Holland = Sri Lanka Uruguay = Less than England more than New Zealand
I think it's time for India to wake up and stop being distracted from the real issues that affect our country. We are two months away from another manufactured illegal war in the Middle East and you are discussing football?
Re: Wake up India
by Observer on Jun 28, 2010 11:06 AM
Virendra,
Good comment. I suggest you go and do the same on CRICKET forums. You will find a 100 times more cricket crazy Indians wasting time there. Unless you are another CRICKET CRAZY fan just trying to divert attention of SOCCER loving Indians.
English soccer and Indian cricket teams have plenty of similarities. It’s a curse that teams don’t live up to expectations. Plenty of money doesn't guarantee all round talent or big wins in tournaments. Agreed there is log of individual brilliance but end of day the victory alone counts. Some similarities listed here... 1. Lots of hype and expectations always but very less achievement as a team (read very less tournament wins) 2. Lot of money with respective sports board. (Read filthy rich) but comparatively less all-round talent in the teams 3. World famous leagues (IPL -- cricket, EPL - soccer) and plenty of pride, revenue generation through the same 4. Teams known for individual brilliance and spectacular wins as result of same. 5. Demi god status for super stars (Beckham, Sachin) in respective countries and perhaps rest of world. 6. Lack of consistency and winning habit. 7. Bad decisions turned against them (surprising most of times its against these teams) 8. Teams are either tired or with less fitness in major tournaments as result of excessive league plays (read over cricket in IPL, long EPL season). PS: cricket fanatics don’t jump on with India’s recent Asia cup win. If you follow the game closely India is winning Asia cup after nearly 15 years which is just played by 4 nations (well ignore UAE & Nepal etc in cricket). This is an insult that India didn’t win for so long &
This German team plays so un-Europeanly, so beautiful like Brazil of yore. Mesut Ozil played wonderfully, play making nicely that lead to 2 of the Germany's 4 goals. Rarely have I seen such an attacking European football - may be Netherlands of 94,98.
It unfair to blame German goalkeeper Neuer for Lampard miss goal. German goalkeeper could not have seen it crossing the line. The ball did bounce once inside the net but it was at the back of a diving goalkeeper Neuer which he could never have seen. In fact videos show him picking it up from outside the line.
Re: Germany is wonderful
by soumyen sarkar on Jun 27, 2010 11:41 PM
It was never German goalkeeper Neuers fault in any way. It Uruguayan Referee's fault. If he did not see the fall clearly, what business he had in the middle? May if if the equalizer was allowed, we would have seen a more rampaging German team
Re: Re: Germany is wonderful
by Janarddan on Jun 27, 2010 11:47 PM
I too agree, that equalizer would only have prompted couple of more goals from Germany. England was listless.
