Anyone watching the World Cup?

Why did FIFA get rid of "The Golden Goal"? Was there some valid reason behind it? I kind of liked it and it would have made Rodriquez's goal against Mexico even more spectacular that it was since it would have ended the game right there.

The Golden Goal, like most (all?) of FIFA's "innovations" to make the game "better", back-fired. Instead of encouraging teams to try and get the goal to kill the game, it made teams afraid to comit players forward in attack, for fear that they might be caught on the counter-attack. You only need to make one slip in the first minute under the Golden Goal rule and that's it. I can remember many classic games in which teams have overhauled a defecit to win inside Extra Time. Teams are much more likely to attack from the start of Extra Time if they know that, should they concede, there's still time to equalise. Some teams, and some coaches, of course will always play "not to lose" no matter what rule is in play...

Besides, once you get to the last few minutes of Normal Time and also when you're in the last few minutes of Extra Time, any goal is as good as a Golden Goal. Rodriguez's goal was earlier than that, true, but could it really have been any more stunning considering it did win the game in the end?

So a rule that was intended to provide more offense actually provided more defense? I wonder what "inovation" they will make next?

The closest thing we got to a "Golden Goal" was in the Italy/Germany match where Italy scored with just a scant few minutes left in OT. That was totally unexpected.

So a rule that was intended to provide more offense actually provided more defense?

That's about the sum of it, jd. It's the same in every field of endeavour and every walk of life, IMO: Legislators legislate with one intention and everyone else seeks to exploit that legislation with their own, sometimes completely different, intentions.

I wonder what "inovation" they will make next?

All together, now: IF IT AIN'T BROKE....

The closest thing we got to a "Golden Goal" was in the Italy/Germany match where Italy scored with just a scant few minutes left in OT. That was totally unexpected.

Agreed. Although Italy were, at that stage of the game, more attack-minded than Germany who were hanging on for penalties. But, because of the second Italian goal, the Germans didn't get to enter the penalty lottery and the Italians didn't get to show the world that they had mastered the art of penalty-shootouts until a bit later on in the tournament...

And let's not forget the brilliant counter-attacking and the final orgasmic peach of a reverse pass to set up the third goal - one of the best moments of the whole World Cup for me. As far as I'm concerned, if the 2nd was a Golden goal as you say, then the 3rd was a Diamond-encrusted Platinum goal. But if the second goal had been an actual GOLDEN goal under the old rules, we'd have been denied that glory. And the Germans would not have had the one chance they did manage to create between conceding the two late goals. Imagine the drama if THAT had gone in. Again, not if the Italian's second had been a Golden goal.

As if Arsenal didn't have enough trouble, now Freddy Adu is going to
Man U! Eat your heart out CF! And Go Man U, my new favorite Team!

Now if I can just get Repulica Deportiva to carry the games, I am set!

Who needs Freddy Adu when we've got Theo Walcott! :wink:

Great game for the ladz today against Liverpool. Make sure you catch this one JD. I'll be doing my best, cheering on the ladz along with Conceptfan and the rest of the Gooners (come on u gooners!!!).


Gooner

3 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER.

3 goals, 3 points and up to 3rd, nuff said.

Not a classic game today, but atleast we've beat another top team and our back to winning ways after last weekend (no comment).

Big shout! goes out to The Arsenal ladies team who are the first English team to make the UEFA Cup final (well done girlz).

All in all a good weekend for footy.

Gooner

All in all a good weekend for footy.

You forgot to mention Sp*rs losing too, Gooner. We're still a long way behind the leaders, but at least we're still just about in the race.

As for some kid who's never actually done anything of note (YET)... well come back when (and if) he actually plays a couple of proper games and has an impact. Cesc Fabregas is 19, has played in a World Cup, all through a Champions League campaign (up to and including the final) and in almost 100 other top-class club games, most of them Premier League matches. That's the benchmark Adu should aim at, but right now, he's on zero.

I guess the hope is that the US might actually have a "Star" on a top team
which could get a little more attention for scoccer here in the US other than at world cup time.

And be glad that your team is not the Arizona Cardinals who have now managed to lose Eight in a row for a stellar 1-8 record on the season!

I guess the hope is that the US might actually have a "Star" on a top team
which could get a little more attention for scoccer here in the US other than at world cup time.

I wish Adu the best of luck. I sincerely hope he is being bought to play regularly and be developped in the team and not as a cynical commercial ploy to sell shirts in America.

And be glad that your team is not the Arizona Cardinals who have now managed to lose Eight in a row for a stellar 1-8 record on the season!

I am glad. For so many different reasons...