Brazil

[Scorpion King]

Okay... here we go. The official thread for the most dominant team in the history of football. Still the team to beat, they need to adjust to the floundering Ronaldo immediately. They were a completely different team out there in the Australia match, once Robinho came into the game. I look forward to Brazil making the adjustment by bringing Ronaldo off the bench... if at all. Having him out there has completely thrown off their chemistry.

If they do not make this adjustment, they will lose in the next round to the better teams.

Adriano is the new Ronaldo. They dont need Ronaldo out there any more. Adriano can roam the strike with adequate ball support from the others including Robinho and Kaka. Ronaldinho needs to assert himself in the next game to build a little momentum going into the elimination round. He has yet to put his stamp on this tournament. As great as he's been over the past few years, the true legends make their mark by leading their team to victory on the biggest stage. He did not lead the team to victory in the last World Cup. That team belonged to Rivaldo and Ronaldo. I was also disappointed with his floundering in the match with Arsenal. He needs to prove himself in this tournament by showing the sort of leadership qualities that this team will need to keep them on the top.

SK.

 

[the_big_E]

Brazil will not win this tournament.

 

[Scorpion King]

Brazil will not win this tournament.

Why not?

 

[VERYBADBOY]

My bet is that Argentina faces Brasil in the final.

Brasil walks away once more with the World Cup.

Brasil are pacing themselves for the tournament. They know what they need to get there and they are working their plan. I leave it to them to show me hours of Joga Bonito to last me for the next four years, I'm weak make it the Champions League.

We have 4 games each day for the next 4 days to see who advances to the Knockout Stage. I hope a good day for Germany, England, Argentina and Portugal for their matches.

VBB

 

[the_big_E]

Brazil cannot meet Argentina in the final with the way the brackets are set up.

 

[Esco!]

Brazil cannot meet Argentina in the final with the way the brackets are set up.

Right you are.
But they can meet in the Semi's

 

[VERYBADBOY]

Brazil cannot meet Argentina in the final with the way the brackets are set up.

Right you are.
But they can meet in the Semi's

Thats strange because that is what I have picked in my pool before the games started.

Try it out for yourself, here is the path to the finals:

If Argentina is 1C and Brasil is 1F

Knockout Stage:

1C vs 2D (Jun 24)
1F vs 2E (Jun 27)

Quarterfinals:

1C vs winner of 1A vs 2B (Jun 30)
1F vs winner of 1H vs 2G (July 1)

Semi Finals:

1C vs (winner of 1E vs 2F VS winner of 1G vs 2H) (July 4)
1F vs (winner of 1B va 2A VS winner of 1D vs 2C) (July 5)

Finals:

1C vs 1F (July 9th)

VBB

 

[freakshow]

this is gernamy tournament to lose!!!!!!!!

 

[slowandeasy]

gernamy does not even know how to spell it's own name, much win this tournament.... lol...

 

[luckyjackson]

Too many legit contenders to pick right now.

Before the WC began my feeling was that Brazil would not repeat, and that the darkhorse Italy would take it. I know that's a long shot, but I'm sticking with that prediction.

 

[Scorpion King]

Brazil 3, Ghana 0

Ahhh.... What a fantastic game. Ghana played so, so well in the first half. Took the game to the Brazilians and just couldnt get a break. However... Brazil did what they do... counterattacked to score the big second goal.

And what a lovely opener by Ronaldo.

I would have liked to see Ghana equalize at 1-1 to see what would have happened... but I suppose we'll never now. A questionable second goal, IMO, took the wind out of their sails.

The outcome was never in question from there.

A healthy Robinho might spell the end of Adriano... especially after the missed breakaway and a few lesser quality runs that resulted in very little.

We'll see...

SK.

 

[danmand]

The goal by Ronaldo was pure art. I guess it was good the trainer kept him in the lineup afterall.

 

[Hard Idle]

A questionable second goal, IMO, took the wind out of their sails.

The outcome was never in question from there.
SK.

He was actually offside twice on the same play and got away with it both times! There were a number of other offsides by Brazil in the first 60 minutes or so that were let go.

It's not a surprise though. The World Cup doesn't like huge upsets and outsiders past the round of 16, so the breaks all go the other way. The only exception was Korea because they were the host. I think there is at least an unspoken directive that there not be another QF with the likes of USA, Senegal, Korea & Turkey.

Even without the goal, Ghana wasn't going to do it. The finishing was horrible, but even worse the lack of nerve. Many times they got into great attacking position only to pass themselves back to a safe distance. The sockest example was when Asamoh was 3 meters inside the area with a clear shot but elected to kick it way out to the flank.

 

[Hard Idle]

What makes Brazil's attack so unique is that they are never checkmated. The way the whole team moves off the ball means the player with the ball ALWAYS has multiple options if the defense is to thorough for the play originally intended.

An attack that started out as one thing can take a different shape at any moment and almost all 10 guys have the touch to function in whatever offensive situation they are in.

On the other hand, the defense looks as week as any Quarterfinalst I've ever seen. They can be caught sleeping, although they do close in amazingly fast once there is threatening situation.

 

[Scorpion King]

He was actually offside twice on the same play and got away with it both times! :

agree with you there... i suppose the linesman deemed that Adriano wasnt involved with the play on the first pass and let it go. The goal was definitely offside IMO...

SK.

 

[Scorpion King]

Which can only mean that the defending Champs Brazil Heads to Quarterfinals in World Cup..

i'm just glad they dont play on Thursday...

I have a real important meeting that I will NOT be missing.

SK.

 

[Scorpion King]

On the other hand, the defense looks as week as any Quarterfinalst I've ever seen. They can be caught sleeping, although they do close in amazingly fast once there is threatening situation.

very true... but hasnt that always been their Achilles heal?

It makes me furious watching them (not) defend sometimes.

SK.

 

[Scorpion King]

It's not a surprise though. The World Cup doesn't like huge upsets and outsiders past the round of 16, so the breaks all go the other way. The only exception was Korea because they were the host. I think there is at least an unspoken directive that there not be another QF with the likes of USA, Senegal, Korea & Turkey.
:

C'mon now...

That's a little much dont you think?

SK.

 

[SneakyLB]

Brazil defense has not been tested because their midfield and attack have great possesion and rarely make mistakes. Usually its the defense that takes pressure off the midfield and attack this time its the other way around, that midfield takes away any pressure from a some what shaky defense. Dida played very well today, but he's usually a little erratic at times.

 

[Scorpion King]

Boy was I wrong!

The goal by Ronaldo was pure art. I guess it was good the trainer kept him in the lineup afterall.

Seriously... I was not impressed after the first two games... but they stuck with him and he answered his critics.

In any case, with Robinho injured, it's a moot point. Ronaldo got to play... and I'm sure they would have anyway... and he got the job done.

What a lovely, lovely goal. Gawd damn I screamed and shouted when he scored that one.

SK.