World Cup Groups for South Africa

[Indecent]

France is no good, they can only win with handballs

Don't let one play fool you. France is better than Ireland and should be in the cup.

If they don't advance out of this group, I would be very surprised. They certainly have the talent.... without cheating.

[FishFace5]

South Africa and Mexico will Advance France is no good, they can only win with handballs and Uruguay XD dont make me smile please

South Africa is only playing because they're hosting. Would be surprised if france didnt advance out of this group as well. Although I would question how much better than Ireland they are. They were outplayed on the field and stole a bid to the cup with a ridiculous hand ball and even more ridiculous aggregate scoring.

[mihaita666]

actually, france is very likely to advance. I know, we all think that they shouldn't be there, but let's think a bit rationally

[Glada Tartan]

France is hard to predict!
Really hope they get their asses kicked really hard. They are just tooooo booooooring...

[acarmelo1]

As an Italian I hate France

[FishFace5]

I think everyone hates the french

[acarmelo1]

I think everyone hates the french

That may be true, and now more that they cheated thier way in to the world cup

[Indecent]

That may be true, and now more that they cheated thier way in to the world cup

I don't think anyone could actually say with a straight face that Ireland would have done anything different had they been on the other end of a lucky break that put them into the World Cup. It's a professional sport, and it's their job to win. That includes all kinds of rule bending and outright breaking, all in the name of the W.

The outcome of that game tells more about Ireland than France. Filing petition after petition, begging for special treatment to be let into the World Cup. They need to take their lumps like men and be happy in their Fantasy land where they never commit a handball, dive, accept credit for an obviously offsides goal, etc.

Puuhlease

[padre]

Can't wait!

[Indecent]

I can't wait either.

I'm really glad I started doing contract work from home, I won't miss having to worry about getting caught following game trackers online (when I should have been working...) and rushing home on my lunch hour to catch the games. Fortunately my boss was a soccer fan too, but it could have been a rough couple of weeks.

[Ace_of_Spades]

South Africa won't advance, they suck. Its France and Mexico who will advance.

[treece]

i am def going to the world cup i cant wait !

I wouldn't go to South Africa.

[MilfDriller]

Mexico is a dark horse? Mexico sucks ass.

Mexico and US always in the cup b/c their region sucks mighty quantity of ass. One of the weakest in the world.

Italy will no doubt advance after playing their games 0-0, 0-0, and 1-0. The one goal scored by an own goal from the other team.

[SaffaCappa]

South Africa won't advance, they suck. Its France and Mexico who will advance.

I am South African living in SA and our team is extremely poor, shocking run with 1 win and 1 draw in last 11 games SA will battle to score a goal in the WC, France are favourites for the group, followed by Uruguay but Mexico will be no pushovers ...

Brazil got the hardest group as Ivory Coast are Africa's best side and Portugal with Ronaldo are very good.

Italy and England got easy groups (England and USA should qualify with ease)

Its going to be awesome!!!

[FishFace5]

I don't think anyone could actually say with a straight face that Ireland would have done anything different had they been on the other end of a lucky break that put them into the World Cup. It's a professional sport, and it's their job to win. That includes all kinds of rule bending and outright breaking, all in the name of the W. The outcome of that game tells more about Ireland than France. Filing petition after petition, begging for special treatment to be let into the World Cup. They need to take their lumps like men and be happy in their Fantasy land where they never commit a handball, dive, accept credit for an obviously offsides goal, etc. Puuhlease

I think your TOTALLY missing the point. I don't think anyone in Ireland ever thought any of those appeals would be granted. It's part of the process. That hand ball was beyond blatant, Henry basically caught the ball. How did the referee not see it?? the linesman?? Just like we saw in the 60 minutes interview last night, the people in charge called in a winner 4 this game. By any means necessary lets get France a bid. Then they're placed in 1 of the weakest group after being the most undeserving team in the field???? Stop laughing you clown, nothing funny about it.

[Indecent]

I think your TOTALLY missing the point. I don't think anyone in Ireland ever thought any of those appeals would be granted. It's part of the process. That hand ball was beyond blatant, Henry basically caught the ball. How did the referee not see it?? the linesman?? Just like we saw in the 60 minutes interview last night, the people in charge called in a winner 4 this game. By any means necessary lets get France a bid. Then they're placed in 1 of the weakest group after being the most undeserving team in the field???? Stop laughing you clown, nothing funny about it.

You're missing the point. If they were on the other end of the handball, they would happily be in the World Cup. If there were on the other end of it, would they have granted a rematch? If they wouldn't, they are nothing but whining hypocrites.

"The people in charge?" It's now a conspiracy against Ireland? You absolutely sound a lot less crazy now.

Assuming this is true... How did they know Henry would commit an accidental hand ball in the box? How did they know he wouldn't stop playing? What other calls did they blow in the game to give France the unfair advantage? If they were so committed to getting France into the World Cup, there has to be more evidence of it in the game than just this incident. If they were for France, why would the only time they try to cheat be at the very end of the game? Was Henry in on it? Why would he handball unless he knew about the fix?

Unless you think that people capable of fixing the World Cup qualifiers are too stupid to actually plan it out? That makes sense, right? Why not commit fraud in front of the whole world without taking any time to think it through or plan it out?

And now you allege they were given the a good draw.... How? I'm really curious to know how someone could rig something like that when it's being watched around the world live.

[FishFace5]

What are you even talking about???? I don't even know how to respond that was so ridiculous. France is in the World Cup because a BLATANT handball was missed. So obvious several appeals were filed. Like I said part of the process, teams appeal games all the time. FIFA handled the appeals not France. Just like if the yankees appeal a game MLB would handle the appeal not the opposing team. Were you aware of this you donkey?? You don't need to respond. My point was and is simple, France doesn't deserve to be there and the draw they received is a joke.

[Indecent]

What are you even talking about???? I don't even know how to respond that was so ridiculous. France is in the World Cup because a BLATANT handball was missed. So obvious several appeals were filed. Like I said part of the process, teams appeal games all the time. FIFA handled the appeals not France. Just like if the yankees appeal a game MLB would handle the appeal not the opposing team. Were you aware of this you donkey?? You don't need to respond. My point was and is simple, France doesn't deserve to be there and the draw they received is a joke.

You didn't even read my post. You allege a conspiracy that put France in the World Cup at the expense of Ireland. I'm simply asking how it makes sense given what we saw on the field. Why would there be this huge conspiracy and the only obvious "cheat" is the Henry handball?

Who exactly are you accusing of cheating? The referees on the field? Do you think they saw the handball and let it go on purpose? Why? Were they instructed by Fifa? Or did Fifa rig the appeals/petition process to make sure Ireland wouldn't get their way? Or is it wrong of me to actually think you've put more than 2 seconds of thought into this?

I'm well aware that Fifa handles the disputes, that's why I am asking why the fix was handled so poorly. If this is something they do regularly, why couldn't they actually do it right? With 15 minutes of coaching the referees could have "cheated" better and still given the game to France. Where are the other obvious missed calls?

You are ignoring the logic. What other evidence do you have of a cheat? One missed handball is hardly a smoking gun, the match was close and any referees looking to favor France would have needed to make questionable calls against Ireland to make sure France won. What made them so sure they would only need to cheat on one play to give France the victory?

The only way a fix makes sense is if we assume France knew the refs were on their side so Henry knew he could get away with an obvious handball to win the game. Do you agree or disagree with this? If you disagree, why?

[FishFace5]

I suggested the fix was in, never said anything about this elaborate plan your blabbing about. Clearly FIFA would rather have France in. An obvious handball was missed in the box in the final minutes by 2 separate supposed top level referees, seemed like an obvious thought. After your long winded unintelligent posts I'm sorry I suggested it.

[Indecent]

I suggested the fix was in, never said anything about this elaborate plan your blabbing about.

You are implying that FIFA, a large group of individuals, preferred France in the World Cup over Ireland, even going so far as to call it a "fix". How does this not suggest an elaborate plan? You can't possibly think the referees screwed Ireland on purpose, with no input from or directive from FIFA, and then FIFA secretly wanted France in and the just let it happen. Do you think a fix just magically happens?

With no "elaborate" plan you need two groups of people who decide to favor France with no sort of plan, but with the "elaborate" fix you could get away with arguing the referees were just following orders from FIFA. If the game was "clearly" fixed, which of these is it? Did the fix magically appear or was it planned?

You'd seem a lot more intelligent if you believe the "elaborate" fix, but clearly neither makes sense. Of course you will backpedal again having put absolutely no thought into any of this.

Clearly FIFA would rather have France in. An obvious handball was missed in the box in the final minutes by 2 separate supposed top level referees, seemed like an obvious thought.

How is it obvious? Fifa officials miss calls that lead to goals all the time. In every other game it's a mistake, but in this game it's because they clearly favor France?

Can you at least answer these two questions
1) Do you think the referees missed the call on purpose? If yes, why?

2) Do you think FIFA would have allowed France to replay the game if Ireland scored on a missed handball?

After your long winded unintelligent posts I'm sorry I suggested it.

You're sorry you suggested it because you put no thought into it. If you think stating "clearly" the fix was in due to one missed handball but put no other thought into how the fix happened is an example of an intelligent post, I feel sorry for you.

[acarmelo1]

Just SAY "I HATE FRANCE"!!!!!

[Indecent]

Don't get me wrong, I hate the French, but not because they "cheat"

[FishFace5]

Bro shut the **** up. You have no point, stop trying to break it down like you do. I'm not trying to prove a conspiracy theory just staing facts so you'll close your retarded mouth.
1. FIFA would without a doubt prefer to have France over Ireland. This is not an opinion.
2. That hand ball was not a standard missed call, Henry caught the ball in the box (no conspiracy theory just a blatant missed call)
3. France did not deserve the draw they got after getting in the way they did.
4. I never said France cheated. They were outplayed by Ireland, for you to just say France is better because you can name a player or two is not accurate.

End of story. Do not reply with a page long brain fart.

[acarmelo1]

Neither Ireland or France deserved to be on th World Cup

[Indecent]

1. FIFA would without a doubt prefer to have France over Ireland. This is not an opinion.

What are you basing this on? If it's not an opinion surely you can elaborate more. Missing that call is not good enough. Rejecting their appeals are not good enough. Has the been other evidence of favoring France in the past that I'm missing?

Or is it the new thing to state your opinions as fact with absolutely no basis for the claim?

2. That hand ball was not a standard missed call, Henry caught the ball in the box (no conspiracy theory just a blatant missed call)

It is a standard missed call as long as the referees missed it unintentionally. It is not a standard missed call if they did so on purpose. No matter how blatant you may think it is, if they just missed it that's what happens and it's no different from any other game. You don't seem to want to claim the referees missed it intentionally, but are happy declaring it a fix just the same.

Or is it the magnitude of the game that makes this a non standard call?

3. France did not deserve the draw they got after getting in the way they did.

France felt they should be included in the first group (Top 7 plus South Africa), and actually complained about it publicly. Do you actually know anything about how the draw process works? Couldn't it just as easily been luck? Or is every team that gets a good draw favored by Fifa?

4. I never said France cheated. They were outplayed by Ireland, for you to just say France is better because you can name a player or two is not accurate.

You said Henry deliberately hand balled... The refs missed the call, and now according to every rule in the FIFA book, they deserve to be in.

Now, if you would be so kind to as to actually addressing my post point by point. (Odds of this? 1000:1)
1) Even if FIFA favors France over Ireland, do you honestly think they favor them to the point of fixing the game?
2) If Ireland had gotten the goal off a missed handball in the same way, would it become a standard missed call?
3) Would France have received any different treatment if they were the victim and appealed the goal to FIFA?
4) If the goal occurred in the first game, would there be as big of a fuss about it?
5) How do any of your points actually address the existence of a fix? It has to come from somewhere. There is some motivation, and there has to be someone involved. Who was? This is your chance to actually elaborate, to prove you aren't an idiot who claims fixes are in without even being able to say anything else about it.

You don't want to answer these because you know no matter what you say your flawed logic will be exposed. Of course, you'll babble nonsensically about how unintelligent my posts are and blah blah blah. If I have no point, tell me why I have no point. If I refute your arguments and answer your questions, but you don't touch on mine, just admit you have no idea what you are talking about and go on your merry way.

End of story. Do not reply with a page long brain fart.

I'll keep going as long as I'm still right and you are still wrong.

[Shark79]

Uruguay is the favorite in that group. Followed by France, Mexico and South Africa. They should get by. South Africa needs Benni McCarthy to play for any chance of advancing.

Treece you really missed it here.

No way Uruguay is the favorite in this group.

Here is how it draws:

France
Mexico
Uruguay
South Africa.

[treece]

You're right Sharky. I was watching the ESPN sportsticker and it said Uruguay had a 60% chance of advancing to the second round and France had a 58% chance of advancing. But now I checked the books and France is favored to win the group. I guess Uruguay won't win the group but will most likely advance, they're very solid. France is hit or miss. I remember they lost all 3 games in the world cup a few years ago.

[Shark79]

Treece ... Uruguay had to play 2 games vs Costa Rica (Concacaf 4th Place) to see there possibility of going to WC ... they didnt show much of a good team at all ... If Mexico learned from Costa Ricas mistakes they should be able to win vs Uruguay and go next round. Mexico is the best underdog of that Group. I have some $$ on them.

[acarmelo1]

South Africa Will Advance. They may be BAD!!!! But they are the Home Team and you know that is Fixed!!!

[FishFace5]

Last time I reply to you ok retard. You don't make any sense and your putting words in my mouth. Do you have a point to all these brain throw-ups you keep typing out. Cause I don't see 1 if you do. My points have been stated already. Your objections were at a 4th grade level and changed none of my points. Here you go point by point ok cha-chi.
1. NO
2. NO, this was clearly not a standard missed call or we would not be talking about it. If a player from Ireland caught the ball in the box and the ref swallowed his whistle I'd be saying the Irish got a bogus bid.
3. NO. I can only remember 1 appeal in any sport ever being granted and that was yankees vs. royals after the george brett HR. And that game was only replayed from the disputed point on. I think you appeal to make urself feel better idk, as i said many times, it's just part of the process.
4. Maybe not as big but would still be a big deal because of how bad this missed call was. Have you seen it, cause I'm starting to think you haven't. "They just missed it" doesn't apply here.
5. I clearly answered this already. I never said there was an elaborate fix. You totally created it in your head.
I feel bad for you. You obviously have some sort of serious learning disability. I will ask for the 3rd time that you do not take up a full page with your half brained response. In fact just don't respond at all....

[Shark79]

wow .. this just brought me back to kindergarten.

[FishFace5]

Sorry shark. I let this p-brain irritate me, totally my fault. Shouldn't have teased the retard, now he won't shutup. I won't reply again. I apologize again for the wasted space.

[Shark79]

You dont have to apologize dude.

Just dont fuel the issue and it will slowly vanish.

[Indecent]

Just dont fuel the issue and it will slowly vanish.

He can admit there was no fix or stop claiming to be correct and it will vanish.

[Indecent]

1. NO

You said this earlier in the conversation, which is why you are being called on it. "Just like we saw in the 60 minutes interview last night, the people in charge called in a winner 4 this game. By any means necessary lets get France a bid."

In that quote, aren't you claiming the game was fixed for France? You don't use the word "fix", but "by any means necessary" is basically saying the same thing. Why say this before but answer my question with "NO" now? Were you wrong before or are you wrong now?

2) NO, this was clearly not a standard missed call or we would not be talking about it. If a player from Ireland caught the ball in the box and the ref swallowed his whistle I'd be saying the Irish got a bogus bid.

The Irish would have gotten a "bogus bid", but under the same circumstances France was given the game "by any means necessary". Do you see how hypocritical this is?

For the last time (assuming you actually answer this too), can you provide any concrete thoughts on why you think France is being favored besides the missed handball and lucky draw? This is the heart of the problem, providing absolutely no basis for saying France is being favored yet stating it as a fact.

Feel free to point out anywhere I'm wrong. Since I'm a "retard" it should be easy for you.