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Some thoughts on Netherlands-Japan collected below as we watch the match on this fine Saturday morning. It won't be liveblogging, as we're watching the game about 80 minutes behind real-time off the DVR, and hence there's no point in trying to give a play-by-play. This'll be more a collection of thoughts about the game--particularly the efforts of the Dutch, as they seek to build upon their 1st win, solidify their position at the top of this group, and develop some momentum heading into the remainder of the tourament. __________________________________________ [liveblog]8[/liveblog] Here are the starting lineups: Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, Johnny Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst (captain); Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart; Robin van Persie. Japan: Eiji Kawashima; Yuki Abe, Yuji Nakazawa, Tulio, Yuichi Komano; Yuto Nagatomo, Yoshito Okubo, Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe (captain), Daisuke Matsui; Keisuke Honda.
Inspired by Tommy's couple video posts today, I thought I'd do one myself. Consider this collection of videos a warmup for the Netherlands v Japan game kicking off in a couple hours (and also a warmup, perhaps, for the capsule history of Dutch football I'm thinking about writing up). First, a 2-part compilation of clips. Cryuff, van Basten, Bergkamp in part 1 (which includes 3 different views of what very well may be my top World Cup memory of all time; but more on that later): In part 2, Seedorf, van Nistelrooy, Davids, Kluivert: The latter also includes some clips of the new school that I'm less familiar with--the guys we'll be seeing play in the coming week(s..one hopes): Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie. In that vein, one more video, which goes through most of the current Dutch starters: After watching all this, a follower of the Dutch
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Doesn't bode well for Eng-r-and's mindset for Slovenia
After this morning's game we're throwing all our support to the Desert Foxes. England have replaced Green with James between the sticks, which apparently is a better choice. Let's not forget his nickname is Calamity James... England are heavy favorites, but Algeria did knock out two-time defending African Cup winners Egypt to qualify for this cup. There's a chance, especially if Gerrard and Lampard continue to trip over each other in the center of England's attack. All the vitriol after the bump! ————————————————————————— [liveblog]7[/liveblog] England: James, Johnson, Carragher, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Heskey. Subs: Green, Dawson, Crouch, Joe Cole, Warnock, Upson, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Defoe, King, Carrick, Hart. Algeria: M'Bohli, Bougherra, Belhadj, Yahia, Kadir, Yebda, Lacen, Halliche, Boudebouz, Ziani, Matmour. Subs: Gaouaoui, Mansouri, Ghezzal, Saifi, Djebbour, Bellaid, Laifaoui, Guedioura, Medjani, Mesbah, Abdoun, Chaouchi.
The England vs. Algeria game hasn't started yet, but goddamnit, I just can't wait. Here is a sneak peek at some potential Most Valuable Hotties to watch in Match 23: Gareth Barry (England) Gareth Barry (born 23 February 1981) is an English midfielder who plays for Manchester City in the English Premier League. Why He's MVH Worthy: - He's not some playboy, model-banging footie star. No Cannavaro-ing for Barry: he married his childhood sweetheart Louise in 2007, with whom he has sired two adorable footie kids: a son, Oscar, and a daughter, Freya. <3 a Family Man! - Look at those hands.. my god they're huge. Just sayin! Rafik Halliche (Algeria) Rafik Halliche (born September 2, 1986 in Algiers) is an Algerian footballer who currently plays for C.D. Nacional in the Portuguese first division on loan from S.L. Benfica, as a central defender. Why he's MVH Worthy: He looks good
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Where to begin? We deserved to be down 2-0 in the first half after such poor defensive play and an attack that looked to bypass the midfield in an ugly dump-and-run tactic. We were pulled out of position time and again on defense, and in offense our players refused to check to the ball, preferring to set up along the box as if a set piece were being played. That all changed in the second half. Bradley must've given them a real spanking, and he pulled Torres for Edu, with Fielhaber in for ineffectual Findley (moving Dempsey up top). Edu didn't do a whole lot, but he SCORES GOALS – he did the same thing for Rangers at the end of their season, and he did it again today. Problem is we were robbed by the ref (who also gave a ridiculous booking to Findley in the first half). Following the terribly officiated
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Hey guys! I'm new here. I don't know too much about football - but I do know about hotties, and football happens to be full of them. So here's my pick for MVH (Most Valuable Hottie) of this otherwise disappointing game: Zlatan Ljubijankič Zlatan Ljubijankič (born 15 December 1983 in Ljubljana) is a Slovenian striker currently playing for the Belgian Jupiler Pro League club K.A.A. Gent and the Slovenian national team. In his earlier hottie years, he played for NK Domžale, winning the much coveted 'journalist's Slovenian Player of the Year-Award in the 2006-07 season' (yeah, Zlatan, work that!) Zlatan is the standout babe of the game, and also happens to have scored a beautiful second goal for 'Little Slovenia' (is it cool to say that? NYT's doing it so guess so!). The combination of his impeccable bone structure and rugged, Eastern European-y good looks (that masculine brow! those deepset
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