Soccer (Football) Thread

[minionofmidas]

We were beaten by the better team, no doubt, but that goal frustrates nonetheless. Showed some positive spirit and a good effort generally, so hopefully we can be competitive in the group.

That goal was really unfortunate. But there's a part of me that feels like Steve Staunton just isnt good enough for this job.

Robbie Keane once again scored in an Ireland vs Germany game... sense of deja vu anyone?

[minionofmidas]

Jari Litmane scored twice in against Poland, yeah

Yeah. Biggest surprise of the night, well along with Italy.

[Јas]

We were beaten by the better team, no doubt, but that goal frustrates nonetheless. Showed some positive spirit and a good effort generally, so hopefully we can be competitive in the group.

That goal was really unfortunate. But there's a part of me that feels like Steve Staunton just isnt good enough for this job.

You and everyone else...

Robbie Keane once again scored in an Ireland vs Germany game... sense of deja vu anyone?

[minionofmidas]

We were beaten by the better team, no doubt, but that goal frustrates nonetheless. Showed some positive spirit and a good effort generally, so hopefully we can be competitive in the group.

That goal was really unfortunate. But there's a part of me that feels like Steve Staunton just isnt good enough for this job.

You and everyone else...

Robbie Keane once again scored in an Ireland vs Germany game... sense of deja vu anyone?

I'm semiserious though. I was kinda miffed they treated it as a Podolski goal. It should be considered an own goal IMO.

[Јas]

I'm semiserious though. I was kinda miffed they treated it as a Podolski goal. It should be considered an own goal IMO.

Agreed that it was misclassified, not sure f the shot was even on target (never mind whther or not it was likely to beat Given).

Actually, for the opening weeks of the Premiership I've been quite surprised at a number of goals classified for the striker when I thought that an own goal tag would have been more appropriate.

[afleitch]

Phew: close run thing, but Scotland beat Lithuania 2-1

[kashifsakhan]

Adding to that comment about Steve Staunton not being good enough to manage at international level, I'd like to say that Roberto Donadoni is quite possibly the worst manager on the international stage! Awful, just an absolute mess with his tactics. the only reason why italy actually do anything in any game is because of what Lippi instilled in them during his time as national coach/manager.

I dont see Italy qualifying if they keep Donadoni around. It would be best for Italy to get rid of him and bring back Lippi, or bring in Carlo Ancelotti

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Northern Ireland did it again!

[kashifsakhan]

Northern Ireland did it again!

And now Lawrie Sanchez wants to quit.

[Јas]

Northern Ireland did it again!

Remarkable result almost exactly a year after defeating England. They played very well, especially compared to the Iceland game at the weekend. If they could consistently harness that level of play they would be very serious contenders to qualify.

[Gustaf]

Sweden at least got 6 points out of 6 possible...but we played god-awful. Conceding a goal against Lichtenstein is just plain sad. With Northern Ireland beating Spain, and Denmark beating Iceland, the group is wide open though. I predict Sweden finished 3rd and I think Denmark might actually win the group, surprisingly.

[kashifsakhan]

England managed 6 points from 2 games by beating the great footballing powerhouses of andorra and macedonia!

[minionofmidas]

Liechtenstein is 124th in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of about half a dozen European sides. They played a surprising qualification (by their standards) for 2006, beating Luxembourg (a country 10 times Liechtenstein's size?) twice with ease and winning two upset draws against stronger teams.

[kashifsakhan]

Liechtenstein is 124th in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of about half a dozen European sides. They played a surprising qualification (by their standards) for 2006, beating Luxembourg (a country 10 times Liechtenstein's size?) twice with ease and winning two upset draws against stronger teams.

Liechtenstein are good at doing that sort of stuff... Remember when they gave England hell in one of the Euro 2004 qualifiers?

[Јas]

Liechtenstein is 124th in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of about half a dozen European sides. They played a surprising qualification (by their standards) for 2006, beating Luxembourg (a country 10 times Liechtenstein's size?) twice with ease and winning two upset draws against stronger teams.

Liechtenstein are good at doing that sort of stuff... Remember when they gave England hell in one of the Euro 2004 qualifiers?

I remember Ireland drawing with them, a few years ago now. Marked something of a nadir for us.

Elsewhere, Roy Keane's Sunderland pulled off a comeback yesterday to beat Derby 2-1.

[Silent Hunter]

Watched West Ham- Aston Villa yesterday. Ended in a 1-1 draw. Harewood missed an open goal and we (meaning West Ham, the team I support) only equalised due to a flukey Zamora goal.

[kashifsakhan]

United beat celtic 3-2. Excellent game. wouldnt have been quite as much fun had celtic won or drawn, both of which were likely.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

What think you all about the recent stuff about corruption in football over here?

Story Here

[Јas]

What think you all about the recent stuff about corruption in football over here?

It seems like there's a general acceptance that it goes on and that everyone's willing to turn a blind eye to it. Given that it's hard to see the practice disappearing any time soon.

Still, could be worse, at least it's not as bad as the Italian scandal.