zimmie4444

Perhaps there's a case to be made for handing a couple of European places to Africa or Asia. Don't really see the point of mediocre sides, the likes of Serbia, or Poland and perpetual European qualifiers of that ilk competing when there could be a real chance given to African countries to gain valuable tournament experience. When you see how well Ghana and Ivory Coast have competed, and even Angola to an extent, all in tough groups, then surely we need a couple more places for Africa to aid it's footballing development.

I think the T + T and Angolan results against Sweden and Mexico respectively almost qualify, but I'd rather have no shocks than the kind of faux shocks resulting from tiredness or bad refeering decisions like we got in the last World Cup. I genuinly can't remember a single game so far that hasn't had something to offer.

I hope Argentina win the World Cup if they keep playing the way they have done in the opening games. It usually happens that the manner of the teams that do well in the World Cup is copied over te coming years and in recent times, that has meant a shift towards negative tactics and defensive football, but if a side like Argentina can win it playing in such a superb manner, it'd be a superb template for other teams to follow.

This is gonna be quite a situation if Togo decide not to play. Does anybody know for sure what will happen if they boycott the next match?

This is the best start to a World Cup for some time now imo, virtually every game has had something about it, hope it continues.

I really don't want that to be the final moments of Zidane's career, what a sad way to go

He's put it all behind him now though

HALLELUJAH! France have scored a goal at last

Enjoyed that! Some good games today, the yanks defo deserved their point

I think Ghana will beat the States, so if the Czech's play as well as they did in the first game then they could definitely be in trouble!

Surprised how well they've done considering the first performance against the Czech's. Interesting this group.. Should have done better there! If this result stands, the Italians could be in trouble in the last game

I didn't mean that, I just think he's always been a bit under-rated is all, should've done more in his career maybe

Doesn't Gattusso look like the cartoon Allan Lamb from the beefy and lamby beef commercials?

another good save. could still cut it at a higher live imo

ho ho Think Brad retired from internationals a few years ago. Not certain tho

Where does Kasey Keller play these days?

Unlucky that! Good save

I'll have another look when they show the replay again, but I don't think he was, technically

Can't see how McBride was intefering there

not sure about that one!

Would like to see more of Eddie Johnson, looked the only half-decent player in their first game, though don't s'pose he'll get a look in tonight

Ive got a sneaky feeling the yanks are gonna nick this!

I think the two straight reds were definitely apt, maybe it was harsh on Pope, but like the last guy said, they're just following orders

I think the ref's got all the decision's right to be fair!

JOSE REINA- 7. Always alert, always very quick with his distribution, for as much as the defence has been praised in recent months, maybe Reina's contribution has gone a little unrecognised. Don't think he had any chance with the goal, personally. STEVE FINNAN- 7. Unflappable as always. Got forward well when needed, solid at the back. JAMIE CARRAGHER- 7. Dealt with the 'Everton threat' in his usual commanding manner. SAMI HYYPIA- 7. Ditto. STEVEN WARNOCK- 6. A decent performance from somebody who hasn't featured alot lately, although a few ropey moments. STEVEN GERRARD- 9. Drove the team exceptionally well, well taken goal, brilliant instinctive header to lay on Crouch for the opener. MOMO SISSOKO- 7. Combative in midfield, could have distributed better though. XABI ALONSO- 7. Difficult to impose his natural controlled passing game on such a high tempo game, but still showed his class at times. HARRY KEWELL- 7. Good performance. Got at the Everton defenders when he could and created alot of openings going forward. DJIBRIL CISSE- 8. Worked hard and scored an excellent goal, which he took brilliantly after some initial good fortune. Linked up well with Crouch too. PETER CROUCH- 8. Led the line well and showed great composure with the opener. Always a threat.