FIFA World Cup 2014

[del1962]

They've been my team since World Cup 2010. Watching Forlan tear defenses apart was just inspiring! And Suarez with the hand of God to take Ghana to penalty kicks was priceless:

If only their jersyers weren't those absurd, painted-on Puma affairs this year. Ugh.

That is one of many reasons I can't stand Suarez, denying Ghana the chance to become the first African team into the semis.

And Stevie G vastly overrated but seems to be the pundits darling.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

If Football (soccer) is to take hold in America, Americans should watch it for what it is and not wish for it to be like the three sports I already mentioned.

OFC soccer should be soccer... No need to change the game dramatically.
But you can´t convince me you are happy with the existing rules:
1.) Double penalization (red+penalty kick, or 2nd "yellow" and out for a further game),
2.) Game deciding penalty kicks for non game deciding fouls,
3.) Offides rules that are decided by pure luck (there was a scientific study that a linesman can not see offsides properly even if in correct position, since the human eye can´t watch two moving things in different spots simultaniously in a split-second)
4.) Game-clock decided by the ref (in this Cup net time goes between 52 and 58 minutes). Is that fair? Every game should have the same rules. Simply make a game-clock of 60 minutes, and stop with on-field with interruptions
5.) game deciding red cards for a single foul (10 vs 11 on interantional WC level loses you the game in 98% of times)
6.) goal width/height never changed since 100 years, yet people grew bigger. Simply change them to 2014 standard

Soccer could be beautiful for Americans too. But not with neanderthals rules...
Just change a little for the better, and get gigantic improvements.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

People get ejected in US sports. It's just that they don't have to play a man down, they just can't use that one player anymore. And you could argue that for serious foul play (which is what it takes to get ejected) that's not actually penalty enough.

It's also a better deterrent of foul play to send players off, since by getting themselves sent off due to a moment of utter stupidity, they ruin things for the whole team.

Look at BRA-MEX. The ref talked to players instead of throwing them off. It worked perfectly. The players decided the game. How it should be (and not the ref)....
How can a whole team be penalized for one man losing it a second in the heat of the moment? Not even to mention the wrongly given red cards...
Does it deterrent players? No, red cards are still given, fouls still happen, time shaving is still ongoing...

Yes US league players get ejected for most blatant fouls. Even get game suspensions sometimes. But the player can be replaced, thus not hurting the whole team, for a single moment going wrong.
I really love that there are no "future penalties" and no "team penalties for reminder of game" in football. It makes it just fair.

 

[Flamin]

Dafuq happened to Japan? Last time I saw them was a few months ago when they outplayed Belgium with some great football.

 

[The Hitch]

That is one of many reasons I can't stand Suarez, denying Ghana the chance to become the first African team into the semis.

And Stevie G vastly overrated but seems to be the pundits darling.

What does it matter if they were African and would be the first African team to make the semis?

It was one team trying to win vs the other. Suarez put his hands up which is pure instinct. The player next to him is doing the exact same thing.

He didn't deceive the ref. Ghana got the penalty they were overjoyed about. They missed.

Not that Suarez isn't a mad man and a **** at times, but this idea that what he did was wrong because players form his continent had won before?

 

[Sciocco]

OFC soccer should be soccer... No need to change the game dramatically.
But you can´t convince me you are happy with the existing rules:
1.) Double penalization (red+penalty kick, or 2nd "yellow" and out for a further game),
2.) Game deciding penalty kicks for non game deciding fouls,
3.) Offides rules that are decided by pure luck (there was a scientific study that a linesman can not see offsides properly even if in correct position, since the human eye can´t watch two moving things in different spots simultaniously in a split-second)
4.) Game-clock decided by the ref (in this Cup net time goes between 52 and 58 minutes). Is that fair? Every game should have the same rules. Simply make a game-clock of 60 minutes, and stop with on-field with interruptions
5.) game deciding red cards for a single foul (10 vs 11 on interantionalö WC level loses you the game in 98% of times)
6.) goal width/height never changed since 100 years, yet people grew bigger. Simply change them to 2014 standard

Soccer could be beautiful for Americans too. But not with neanderthals rules...
Just change a little for the better, and get gigantic improvements.

I would be ok with some movement for sure, but if football (soccer) were to get the football (nfl) treatment, it would be unwatchable in less than a decade.

As for your points,

1. I could see going to middle ground on this, turn a red card or double yellow into a game ejection, but the team does not go a man down in the game and the player can return for the next game. Maybe the player could be suspended from multiple games if he was being ejected multiple games in a row.
2. Part of the game, quite similar to hockey actually though perhaps a little too easy to score in soccer (football) comparatively. If there is anything I would do here, it would be to make the player kick from slightly farther out.
3. Offsides, hard to fix without overhaul but would change the game a lot, possibly negatively. Maybe more linesman to make it better, or a line like hockey.
4. I think stoppage time is a unique aspect of the game that should be preserved, but it should be within reason of course depending on the amount of time down time during the half. Somewhat OT to your point, I believe refs in all sports should be held accountable for their actions in game.
5. Already answered kinda.
6. Soccer (football) does not need more goals to be scored in game for it to be entertaining. I am a huge hockey fan and I enjoy both 8-6 games and 1-0 triple overtime games. The fewer "scores" in a game the more important each "score" becomes, contrary to the basketball model of score lots of points and most of it does not matter.

My apologies if I misread any of your points.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I would be ok with some movement for sure, but if football (soccer) were to get the football (nfl) treatment, it would be unwatchable in less than a decade.

As for your points...

My apologies if I misread any of your points.

The only problem with NFL treatment is that there are breaks that are not needed within the rules: Some "timeouts" are just taken for commerical breaks. Like after PATs, kickoffs, punts, TMW...
OTOH, you get used to it. Those timeouts don´t change the outcome or take anything off the excitement. And, since I never watched cricket, it´s the only game I know I can get (almost) drunk within one match and still be thrilled (within 3 hours).
And the roughly 8 scores per game are a perfect balance between making every single score matter, and one major mistake doesn´t lose you the game right on spot (like in soccer were just one penalty kick/score could doom you). Add in that a last second score can turn you from losing to winning (unlike soccer where a last second comeback only ties the game for you)... it´s the perfect beast.

Back to soccer:
1.) Perfect: Game ejection, but no 10 vs 11 on red cards.
2.) Unfair. See just the too many wrong given penalty kicks (either intentionally, or b/c the ref is blind). Exchange them with a free kick like in any other part of the field. Nice side effect: I guess diving goes down a signifant number.
3.) Just get rid of those passive/ non-passive offsides. Keep it simple. And use technology for offsides. Since the linesmen simply can´t see it properly.
4.) Why? NASL tried game clocks. It worked almost* perfectly. (* They did make the mistake of going 90 mins real-time. They should have gone with 60).
Since game time is anyway around 55 minutes in nowadays matches (like this WC), make it 2x30. All stays almost the same, but no more time shaving and ref influence on game time.

Why not more goals? Just go back to 50s averages. It reduces ref influence, and gives higher variance (more comebacks)....

OFC basketball is ridicoulous. When you have 100 scores per game, you don´t need to watch the first 80...

Otherwise, I think you got my points pretty well.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

OFC soccer should be soccer... No need to change the game dramatically.
But you can´t convince me you are happy with the existing rules:
1.) Double penalization (red+penalty kick, or 2nd "yellow" and out for a further game),
2.) Game deciding penalty kicks for non game deciding fouls,
3.) Offides rules that are decided by pure luck (there was a scientific study that a linesman can not see offsides properly even if in correct position, since the human eye can´t watch two moving things in different spots simultaniously in a split-second)
4.) Game-clock decided by the ref (in this Cup net time goes between 52 and 58 minutes). Is that fair? Every game should have the same rules. Simply make a game-clock of 60 minutes, and stop with on-field with interruptions
5.) game deciding red cards for a single foul (10 vs 11 on interantional WC level loses you the game in 98% of times)
6.) goal width/height never changed since 100 years, yet people grew bigger. Simply change them to 2014 standard

Soccer could be beautiful for Americans too. But not with neanderthals rules...
Just change a little for the better, and get gigantic improvements.

I'm happy with 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
3 is a bit a of a problem indeed. Technical assistance is needed here.

 

[Sciocco]

Back to soccer:
1.) Perfect: Game ejection, but no 10 vs 11 on red cards.
2.) Unfair. See just the too many wrong given penalty kicks (either intentionally, or b/c the ref is blind). Exchange them with a free kick like in any other part of the field. Nice side effect: I guess diving goes down a signifant number.
3.) Just get rid of those passive/ non-passive offsides. Keep it simple. And use technology for offsides. Since the linesmen simply can´t see it properly.
4.) Why? NASL tried game clocks. It worked almost* perfectly. (* They did make the mistake of going 90 mins real-time. They should have gone with 60).
Since game time is anyway around 55 minutes in nowadays matches (like this WC), make it 2x30. All stays almost the same, but no more time shaving and ref influence on game time.

Why not more goals? Just go back to 50s averages. It reduces ref influence, and gives higher variance (more comebacks)....

OFC basketball is ridicoulous. When you have 100 scores per game, you don´t need to watch the first 80...

Otherwise, I think you got my points pretty well.

Yea I mentioned either moving it back slightly, or perhaps even making it similar to a corner kick, but not in the corners maybe at an 45 degree angle (with full team participation of course).

I absolutely prefer technology as it reduces human error. If they can automate it fluidly, perfect.

I would like to see the stats on goal scoring per game averages, etc. since the first WC or so. This WC has gone pretty well in that regards, last one felt lower. In the NHL, 1-0, 3-2, 5-4, 7-6 goal games can all be equally as exciting, so I do not think the goals matter too much as long as it does not get to the ridiculous 10+-10+ point. I believe it has more to do with the quality of the play and attitude of the teams... Cycling has a similar problem.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

What the hell. Are Americans immigrating to Spain AND England???

 

[movingtarget]

Suarez is world class when he is not biting people on the chest. Rooney should not pick up any English newspapers tomorrow. Even though he scored they will only talk about the misses.

 

[gooner]

Suarez is world class when he is not biting people on the chest. Rooney should not pick up any English newspapers tomorrow. Even though he scored they will only talk about the misses.

The Sun is a disgraceful newspaper with their front page. Rightly getting criticism for it.

 

[The Hitch]

Suarez is world class when he is not biting people on the chest. Rooney should not pick up any English newspapers tomorrow. Even though he scored they will only talk about the misses.

Shouldn't be a problem, he can't read them.

 

[jens_attacks]

highlight of yesterday was that uruguyan defender passing out on the field after being smashed with the knee on the head, docs saying "change him,change him. he's done" and him refusing to do so and still played the whole match. definitely crazy and warrior. almost like a pro cyclist. chapeau!

 

[MBotero]

OFC soccer should be soccer... No need to change the game dramatically.
But you can´t convince me you are happy with the existing rules:
1.) Double penalization (red+penalty kick, or 2nd "yellow" and out for a further game),
2.) Game deciding penalty kicks for non game deciding fouls,
3.) Offides rules that are decided by pure luck (there was a scientific study that a linesman can not see offsides properly even if in correct position, since the human eye can´t watch two moving things in different spots simultaniously in a split-second)
4.) Game-clock decided by the ref (in this Cup net time goes between 52 and 58 minutes). Is that fair? Every game should have the same rules. Simply make a game-clock of 60 minutes, and stop with on-field with interruptions
5.) game deciding red cards for a single foul (10 vs 11 on interantional WC level loses you the game in 98% of times)
6.) goal width/height never changed since 100 years, yet people grew bigger. Simply change them to 2014 standard

Soccer could be beautiful for Americans too. But not with neanderthals rules...
Just change a little for the better, and get gigantic improvements.

In my opinion not the existing rules are the problem,the cause lies in the quality of referees who often don't apply them in the right way.They too often choose to ignore the spirit of the game and come up with dumb decisions.There were changes along the years at offside rules,but changes don't always bring good things see that golden goal,silver goal rules.

 

[movingtarget]

Japan V Greece worst game I have seen so far. Wonder what are the odds for Spain to beat Australia. Even the Spanish seem to think Australia can win. No Cahill for Australia so it's hard to see who could score for them. Maybe another own goal.

 

[The Hitch]

lol, all the adverts here have England footballers in them. Looks like it was too late for all the sponsors to cancel

 

[alspacka]

lol, all the adverts here have England footballers in them. Looks like it was too late for all the sponsors to cancel

I have a similar problem with a bet I placed at 2am last night.

England eliminated in quarter finals at 25/1

 

[gooner]

Luis Suarez is one crazy muther****a but imo best player in the world. Put him on a team like Barca or Real or Bayern like Ronaldo, Ribery or Messi have, and he'd outperform them

I decided this last match Uruguay are the team I am going to cheer for. Only ever cheer for underdogs and they fit that bill. Far from the best team but with Luis Suarez, the bad man that he is, they can beat anyone on their day.

Also Uruguay stealing the World cup in Brazil for a second time after how Brazil never forgot 1950, would be the greatest moment in sports history

You may get your wish if this is true.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ero-prepares-swap-Premier-League-La-Liga.html

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Italy vs Costa Rica

1 - 2

and the bar will be open.

 

[MBotero]

Italy: Buffon - Darmian, Barzagli, Chiellini, Abate - De Rossi, Motta - Candreva, Pirlo, Marchisio - Balotelli

Costa Rica: Navas - Gamboa, O. Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana, J. Diaz - B. Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Bolanos - Joel Campbell

I really don't like Italy,i would be very happy to see them going home from group stage,but i don't think Costa Rica can stop them today.

 

[jens_attacks]

if there is a god, costa rica wipes the floor with the italians

 

[Amsterhammer]

Today's selections - ITA, ECU win, SWI-FRA draw.

And now, it's Andrea Pirlo appreciation time.

 

[Amsterhammer]

if there is a god, costa rica wipes the floor with the italians

You still believe in Santa Claus too?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Yo Italy. Best european singers... And I like that guy Pirlo. He looks unique. Like a "Woodhacker".
@ Eshnar; I am looking forward some good "Cate-something"...