FIFA World Cup 2006: Brazil v Croatia discussion thread as it happens

[Anarcho-Socialist]

If you're not watching/listening to it live, this will be a spoiler.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

1. the atmosphere in the stadium is quite something...

...every time Brazil win the ball the crowd goes nuts. The game is a bit back and forth possession-wise, with Brazil being more aggressive and Croatia emphasising defence as expected.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

2. Croatia are no pushover and are holding their own. Possession is 50/50

[XNASA]

3. Goal Kaka.

1-0 Brazil.

[ikri]

4. Goooooaaaaaaaal!

Brazil take the lead, a superb strike by Kaka from just outside the 18 yard box gives them a 1-0 lead minutes before the half-time whistle.

[Lance_Boyle]

5. fuckin' A, man - the Brazilian restaurant downstairs

from my office is going nuts! I feel like I'm missing one hell of a party, but am not appropriately waxed to join them.

[Common Sense Party]

12. Please go down and pick up a half pound of fraldinha, well-done

for me, would you?

[aerisgainsborough]

6. Kaka

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT/
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR
DU/FÜR BRASIL!!!

Kaka, Number 8, Minute 44 of the First Half,

BRASIL 1 - Croatia 0

Pletikosa, Camisa 1, Sobrou Tristeza Pra Você?

Put in Winamp:

http://3454689651:8989/;stream.nsv

Take that Michelle Malkin, your country didn't even BOTHER to
qualify for the The World Cup!!!

[aerisgainsborough]

7. LOS GEHTS!!!

Second half under way...

[ceile]

8. Croatia's making Dida work!

[ikri]

9. Ronaldo substituted

Fastest he's has moved all night!

Robinho on in his place

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. Brazil, quite frankly, not that impressive

Croatia played a solid game. Brazil should wipe out the rest of their group, but Croatia seems to be one of the few teams with a loss that actually has a chance to move on.

[Common Sense Party]

11. That's what I thought. Argentina looks better than Brasil.

Croatia played a mean defense, but these Brazilians are supposed to be an attacking machine. I just didn't see them making much happen. A couple of near-miss shots on goal, but not what I expected.

[ikri]

13. All 3 of today's games have been poor

Brazil showed very little of what they are capable of, a lot of that was down to the way that Croatia played but I would still have expected a hell of a lot more from them.

France were disorganized and poor going forward, bizarre considering how good Henry is up front.

No one really expected much from either South Korea or Togo and neither team was really that impressive and I wouldn't expect any upsets from them in the rest of the competition.

At least tomorrow's game between Germany & Poland should be a little more exciting, even if there are no goals I'd expect 1 or 2 red cards.

[Meshuga]

14. Brazil and England are the two best teams

But with the traditional slow start. Both teams are notorious for having tight scores in their opening games. They usually show up in the later rounds. In the confederations cup, for example, Brazil looked terrible in the first round but then dominated Germany and crushed Argentina in the final to win the competition.

I was also disapointed with Brazil because we saw ronaldinho playing defense instead of attacking. This coach is usually too cautious and didn't go after a second goal after scoring the first. With a loaded team like Brazil I would not play cautious like coach Parreira likes to play.

Ronaldo looks terribly slow. Robinho deserves to be the starter.

[Kellanved]

16. We'll see

The English squad is hyped to the high heavens so often that one can hardly say when they actually do have potential.

[Meshuga]

17. Look at their squad

The English are a great team and maybe it's the best they have had in a long time. You will see Brazil and England playing for the three points like Argentina did by wasting time at the end of their game.

In 2002, Brazil had to start with the strongest team of their group (Turkey) and they barely won the game. It's a similar start in 2006 against Croatia. Early this week, the Brazilian coach said that Brazil is still not going to play 100% and they will grow as they advance. England is pretty much doing the same. Don't expect to see these guys risking injuries in the first few games. Both teams are built for the later stages since advancing to the second round is not a biggie for them. All you need in the first round is to get 3 points here in there.

For Brazil and England the first game was pretty much "mission accomplished".

[Kellanved]

18. Well., that's the point

Beckham is the most mediocre player ever to reach first class stardom. Great with a resting ball, pretty much useless otherwise. It's a pity that they are widely presented as Beckham&friends - just a hype based label.

The squad is alomost certainly one of the best European teams, but so far unproven. We'll see how they'll turn out.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

15. Croatia played a great game, they can be very proud

They'll be disappointed to not get a point from this. If they play like this in their next two matches then they have a great chance of qualifying for Round 2.

This game illustrated the idea that there is no blatant favourite to win the competition, and that Brazil are beatable.