tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post7402260534180132525..comments2023-09-28T01:58:33.466-07:00Comments on Sporting Madness: World Cup: My thoughts so farAndrew Bucholtzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156615450275929751noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post-5635988656168883832010-06-28T21:48:17.077-07:002010-06-28T21:48:17.077-07:00True. 2006 probably undid some of 2002, and you...True. 2006 probably undid some of 2002, and you're right that some of that tournament was lousy officiating. Still, I've had a respect for some of the top Asian teams since then, so I can't say they really surprised me too much. Both South Korea and Japan also have plenty of impressive players, so it's interesting that they didn't get that respect. <br /><br />The Netherlands was very impressive today. They look like they've found a way to win effectively as well as beautifully. I think they may be in tough against Brazil, though; the Brazilians just have so much depth. That should be a great game to watch regardless.Andrew Bucholtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156615450275929751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post-72167818583849949742010-06-28T21:40:17.943-07:002010-06-28T21:40:17.943-07:00...but it's not like this is completely out of...<i>...but it's not like this is completely out of the blue.</i><br /><br />Perhaps, but that doesn't really reflect amongst the pundits, the media, and certainly not any of the Fifa or SPI rankings. The dismal showing in 2006 set back Asian football standing, notwithstanding Australia's solid, but surprising run. And 2002 had its share of controversy with home field advantage and some dubious officiating. Hard to gauge Asian based teams because people don't see them, so that's understanding. But there remained an ignorance and lack of respect for many of the Asian teams before this tournament began.<br /><br />Also, after today's performance, I'm really liking the Netherlands. I don't know if they have enough offensive firepower, but the Oranje's ability to change their gameplay tactics for each team has been impressive. Whomever comes out of that Brazil-Netherlands QF game is my World Cup winner.bkbladeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14993067848904779017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post-5508807476335740012010-06-28T21:21:04.307-07:002010-06-28T21:21:04.307-07:00Good points, Brian. South Korea did play pretty we...Good points, Brian. South Korea did play pretty well; I think a bit of that was thanks to the weakness of the group, but they're clearly a team you can't write off. They put up a decent fight against Uruguay, too, as you point out. Asian football is getting better, but it also hasn't been that bad; both South Korea and Japan put in good performances when they hosted in 2002. Neither was too impressive in 2006, and Iran and Saudi Arabia dragged the continent down, but it's not like this is completely out of the blue.<br /><br />You're also right that there really haven't been too many absolutely dominant sides so far. For me, the best have been Brazil, Argentina and Germany, but they've all had their moments of weakness. This still looks like a tournament where anything can happen, so it will be interesting to watch.Andrew Bucholtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156615450275929751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post-549965717464414592010-06-28T21:09:38.289-07:002010-06-28T21:09:38.289-07:00I'm obviously biased, but I think South Korea ...I'm obviously biased, but I think South Korea did a whole lot better than people predicted before the tournament. Aside from South America's clear dominance, the Asian Confederation showed themselves to be an emerging football continent as well. South Korea deserved to make it to the Round of 16 and with a bit more luck could have beaten Uruguay. I still felt Uruguay was the stronger team, but Korea gave them a very good match and the Uruguayans even admitted surprise in how technical and challenging the Koreans were in that knockout match.<br /><br />I also noticed the lack of real stand-out powerhouses in this World Cup. Maybe it is because of the many transition years traditional football powers are going through right now, but there doesn't appear to be one clear favourite. Though I guess you can argue Brazil is once again proving they are the team to beat.bkbladeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14993067848904779017noreply@blogger.com