Field Theory by Hadyn Green

Brazil play like crap but cheat like champs. But none of that will matter anyway because the refs have all been told by FIFA that Brazil are going to win the tournament.

But then saying FIFA has fixed the tournament to ensure a hometown win is half believed by everyone already.

I have suddenly been reminded of the sour taste I got from the last world cup, that I had scoured from my memory. The play acting should be punished, even if you have to do it after the game based on TV replays.

That penalty shouldn't have been a penalty, and when you're taking a penalty, isn't the kicker supposed to do one run in instead of a run, a pause and another run?

And that yellow card for Neymar - could that have arguably been a red? It would have changed the game considerably.

You can criticise Fred for diving or the referee for being sucked in, but the fact remains that the Croatian player did hold him back.

In a situation like that you would back Fred to be able to turn and get a shot in. He still had a lot of work to do but was denied the opportunity. He could have stayed on his feet and let the opposition get away with professionally pushing the boundaries or fall over and milk the penalty.

The Croatian coach said he didn't criticise Fred, only the referee. That means that he would want his players to do exactly the same. He wouldn't have complained if it had been the other way round.

I wouldn't have given a penalty in that situation, but I referee 13 year olds. These guys are professionals and they know what they are doing when they pull people back or hold on to their jerseys. They are trying to stop their opponents from playing and if they get penalised then they have no-one to blame but themselves.

yeah, bollocks to all that, if that's the standard for penalties at this cup then there's going to be a truckload of them.
also bollocks was the free kick for obstructing the keeper before Croatia's 'equalizer.' also also bollocks was the tackle from behind in the build up Oscar's goal.
that ref should be toast.

not a great start then. and jesus, but Brazil were a pale shadow of what was expected. no midfield control, headless chooks at the back and show ponies up front. they will improve, but it's going to have to be major major if they're going to move past the second round where (most likely) Spain or the Netherlands will be waiting. Croatia didn't have a lot happening up front aside from hard running and they caused big problems.
Luckily for Brazil, the Croatian keeper wasn't much chop.
so, roll on tomorrow, and go Mexico next Wednesday - for some reason I now have the 'ump against Brazil. also, go Uruguay, I got them in the office pool.

I enjoyed the game, and I can see why the Croatian manager is a bit miffed, but his player did hold Fred and although Fred's reaction was very poor and pathetic acting, the hold could have prevented a goal. Without the acting the ref wouldn't have done anything, and players need to learn to play by the rules in the box. Holding and shirt pulling in the box are mostly ignored in order to avoid penalties, and they ruin the game.

I've played keeper from time to time and I've never enjoyed the kind of protection from a ref that we saw today. It would be nice. :)

The issue is that ref's seem to need the drop and roll before they're willing to give a penalty. Wrapping, grabbing and pulling seem to be increasing in the game precisely because defenders know that if the player doesn't drop, they're likely to get away with it. The odds work in defenders favour.

I only saw the first half but was pleasantly surprised at how positive a game it was from both sides, with both sides having decent chances. Brazil were nervous but they'll be a bit more carefree now that they have a tough 3 points in the bag.

Don't you just love that Brazil's goalkeeper is 3rd choice at newly promoted Queens Park Rangers? What a strange old world...

I watched that Beats by Apple ad yesterday, and thought it was just some random Brasilian dude (which is cool, amo os brasilieros). Only after watching the Nike ad did I realise that was Neymar, who is apparently good at sportsball.

Brasil already had a very handy lead according to 538's very interesting data informed coverage of the tournament.

This whole shirtgrabbing thing makes me wonder if refs don't give out penalties because they potentially reward so heavily. They need the equivalent of a free kick in rugby, a lighter penalty.

Is Diego Costa the Quade Cooper for this world cup. Country swapping, niggles off the ball, booed by the crowd every time he touches the ball, plays well for his club, but crap for his adopted country?

It's a perfect match

I dear say he may well be. Took a while before I realised what the boos were about. The Dutch fans know how party - and dress for a party! The Brazillians of Europe?! I loved their faux orange S American General/coup d'état outfits.

Is Diego Costa the Quade Cooper for this world cup. Country swapping, niggles off the ball, booed by the crowd every time he touches the ball, plays well for his club, but crap for his adopted country?

Not fit I reckon. Wonder if Spain is paying the price for the massive European season that their major clubs had. But it's more than that, key players getting older, their spiritual leader Puyol retiring. Casillas aged 20 years out there today. Kinda sad to see but all power to the Dutch.

I only saw the last few minutes of the Spain - Netherlands game, and my thoughts were:

1: Bloody CCTV. Never trust CCTV. The schedule on the website said the Aus game was starting at 5, but now it's 6.
2: Damn, I missed what might've been the day's best, or at least most fun, game.

I wasn't surprised by how the Aus - Chile game started, although 2-0 up within 13 minutes was a bit more dominant than I was expecting, but as it turns out, that game was pretty good, and I thought the final score of 3-1 was a little unfair to Aus in that it didn't really reflect how well they'd played in the second half.

WTF is going on! Two games and they have been cracker!!! Even the Dutch are playing open football. Lets hope the Germans and Italians join the party!!! Oh...and England too.......

That win flattered Italy, I reckon. England were competitive and unlucky not to win, but Italy looked stodgy and one-dimensional. Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands or Germany would've beaten them easily, I reckon.

Goals in every game and no draws, it's a great comp so far.

Note that the Socceroos outscored the Wallabies in the first half of their respective matches...

That win flattered Italy, I reckon. England were competitive and unlucky not to win, but Italy looked stodgy and one-dimensional. Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands or Germany would've beaten them easily, I reckon.

Not sure about that. England finally look like they have some attacking threat with Sterling and Sturridge, Welbeck wasn't bad either. But no one in white came close to the class of beautifully bearded Italian Andrea Pirlo.

Pirlo's setup for that Mario goal was just fabulous. England were competitive but no real flair; those young players were good, but Rooney had his chances, flubbed them, and I'm not convinced by their goalie. Will be lucky to progress. Personal highlight was Italy's right/left boot colour disparity combos; nice touch. And the commentary hiatus. And the "massage tops". What's with that? Over to you, Mr Green.

This Honduras team seems unnecessarily physical. Wilson Palacios stomping on Pogba, then knocking him over... can't say I'm sad to see him sent off. And the other Hondurans don't seem much better.

This deserves a prominent place in discussion of the World Cup: http://www.vox.com/2014/6/9/5792958/watch-john-oliver-rip-fifa-to-shreds-and-explain-why-hell-still-be

(seriously - worth your eyeballs)

You missed the first blog :)

whoops clearly :)

In my defence, sports discussions are not usually for me...