by D8TA 37 Replies latest social physical
YAY USA!!!!!
(ok, I must confess that, even while in Scotland for a time, I never caught a match. In fact, I'm bored to tears by soccer. And I can't drink beer anymore because I'm allergic to it. Could I be any more loathsome in your eyes?)
YAY USA!!!!!
USA - yes - you football experts - come on!
Ash.......you are totally loathsome
ISP
Oh dear me.
A man who is tired of football is tired of life.
BTW, the term "soccer" is very non-u. It derives from "Association Football Organisation."Soccer" was originally called "association football" during the formation of the Football Association in England in the 1860s. This was to maintain a distinction from the other football game being organised in England at the same time based on the handling codes, whilst Association Football conformed to the dribbling codes. The other football came to be known as "rugby" football, named after the Rugby School in England, where it is said that a certain young student, William Webb Ellis, picked up the ball in his hands during an association football match and ran with it over the goal line. Master Ellis asked his teacher, who was refereeing, if that was a goal. The reply was, "No, but it was a jolly good 'try'", which is where one of the rugby scoring terms comes from. Rugby Union was formally organised by 1871, but suffered another split by 1893 when Rugby League was formed. I digress.
Near the end of 1863, Charles Wreford-Brown, who later became a notable official of the Football Association, was asked by some friends at Oxford whether he cared to join them for a game of "rugger" (rugby). He is said to have refused, preferring instead to go for a game of "soccer" - a play on the word "association". The name caught on.
English public schoolboys love to nickname things, then as much as now. The tendency is to add "er" to the end of many words. Rugby [Union] Football became "rugby", and then "rugger". Association Football was better know as "assoccer" and naturally evolved into "soccer" which is much easier for a schoolboy to say...
Englishman.
You swot!
Yeah good brains and stuff there...Eman.
ISP
Any more tips?
Eman says 2-2.
Any other pundits here?
I'll go for 3-1. Which way? Hmmmm I'm thinking on that!!
The Brazilian back line looks vulnerable, especially to high crosses, but can England cope with Ronaldo and Rivaldo?
I do know that it's got the youngsters buzzing here downunder, who are looking forward to seeing the game. BTW it's on at 4:30 in the afternoon here. How about you?
Cheers, Ozzie
Yes...today, it will all be over for England...Brazil will come thru. :)
D8TA
Who was the Worlds greatest ever footballer?
PELE!... and he played for Brazil! So let's see what Pele has to say....
PELE: I'M BACKING SVEN
England v Brazil: The Big One - Japanese fans, Jairzinho and even Pele are tipping England
By Martin Rogers and Andy Lines in Rio
SAMBA legends Pele and Jairzinho last night backed England to steamroll Brazil tomorrow and go on to lift the World Cup. As Sven Goran Eriksson's squad were cheered on by Japanese fans in Shizuoka, the duo risked the wrath of their fellow countrymen by insisting Brazil are lucky to still be in the tournament and England are a better bet to lift the trophy. "England can score goals against Brazil, and Michael Owen will be the chief danger because of his pace," said Pele. DANGERMAN: Pele fears Michael Owen will shatter Brazil And his former star team-mate Jairzinho, who scored the goal that beat England in 1970, added: "If England can keep their cool and their discipline they will win the game. "It will be a dramatic match, it should have been the final. "England and Brazil have been the best two teams in the tournament. If Brazil do not win it I would love England to go on and win the cup." Pele's comments come as a massive boost to Eriksson's side as they finalise their preparations for the quarter-final showdown in Shizuoka. He has been convinced of England's chances after seeing their impressive performances against Argentina and Denmark on the way to the last eight. Pele added: "I have not seen such a well-organised English side for a long time, especially in defence. "Eriksson's players gave a great demonstration of strength against Argentina, and they struck me as a side worthy of winning the World Cup. "That win gave them great mental strength, as we saw against Denmark. "They attacked from the off and scored quickly, then never let the Danes back into the game. "Teams need far more grit and good fortune than technique these days to win the World Cup. "Whoever wins Friday's match will have one hand on the trophy." CONFIDENCE: Pele says Ronaldo is back to his best While England trounced Denmark 3-0 in the second round, Brazil were fortunate to sneak past unfancied Belgium. Pele added: "Brazil's team has gradually improved, but their match against Belgium proved they are a lucky team." However, he warned England of the danger posed by star striker Ronaldo, who has hit the net in every game so far. "I said before the finals that they could be the stage for him to relaunch his career, and that's how it is turning out. "He has scored five goals already, and that will give him that vital confidence to get more." Pele led eventual champions Brazil to a 1-0 win over Bobby Moore's England in 1970, drawing the save of the century from England keeper Gordon Banks. Pele added: "I admire David Seaman, but he is not as good as Gordon Banks. "So Ronaldo might be able to get the goal against England that I never managed to score. "The game will see two totally different approaches, and it will be as spectacular as England v Brazil games have ever been." Jairzinho can vividly recall his 1970 World Cup winner against Sir Alf Ramsey's side. "I remember the details of that game more than I do about the final against Italy," he said. "Gordon Banks and our goalkeeper Felix were very good - and there was no doubt that whoever scored the first goal would win the game. "I remember the goal so well. Tostao and Pele were brilliant. Pele paused a second but he knew exactly where I was and passed the ball to me. "I could not believe it when I scored. I celebrated for five minutes. I was crying, smiling, singing. "I had scored a goal against England, the World Cup holders. It does not get much better than that." TV TIMES: Live on BBC and ITV, kick-off 7.30am BETTING: England 5-4, Brazil 8-11 to win Englishman | ||
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What I find interesting is that on a web site dominated by Americans, there is very little talk of sport, not even the US national sports. However, when the US face defeat, they tear down the opposition or be-little the sport itself.
I have seen this on other web sites too, just as there are threads here England would not get through the first round.
