[WiseGrumpy]

Before the world cup I have said this World Cup is going to be VERY defensive. The reason is simple, defense wins, in every sport, and the world of soccer understands that today after Inter the best team in the world based on titles showed the world how to kill the best playing team in the world and they did it easily with perfect defense.

So far in this world cup we have seen 15 goals in 9 games. If we didn't have Germany that would be even worse. In 1998 the best World Cup I have ever seen we had 171 goals, the most EVER.
We will not see scores of 6-0, 8-1 and so on. 4-0 in VERY high to the way the teams are playing, and a World Cup without goals in just boring. Another thing is that the games that we see 0-0, 1-0 or 1-1 are bad games. There are good 0-0 are bad ones, so far we saw bad ones.

It's not all grim, Germany is playing great, South Korea and Japan are great teams, I'm sure Spain and Brazil will play well, but this isn't enough.

[Glada Tartan]

Totally agree!

Its tragic.. so tragic! Well only Germany plays with a forward play and NOT with the philosophy of winning with 1-0 in every game!

[TurkzZ]

yh its a strange one, as the temperature are lower i thought there could be some more goals, that said, it could be to do with the opening fixtures and as its the 1st round of games, nobody wants to loose.

[Karayilan9]

Its the first round of games, the emphasis is on a team not losing, second and third games are strategically more likely to have a more attacking intent.

[kmoney]

go germany go goals!

[Squirrel]

I'm not buying that its any more defensive than usual tbh, despite the lack of goals thus far - for me its because the whole "shock" factor of the world cup isnt there anymore, back in the 'old days' when a team from Europe played an African team it was a total shock, now 99% of the best players in the world all play in Europe so they know each others games better than they ever used to.

[WiseGrumpy]

I'm not buying that its any more defensive than usual tbh, despite the lack of goals thus far - for me its because the whole "shock" factor of the world cup isnt there anymore, back in the 'old days' when a team from Europe played an African team it was a total shock, now 99% of the best players in the world all play in Europe so they know each others games better than they ever used to.

Actualy a pretty good point. With that it's not about players feeling better or worst, it's the fact teams play with a 5-4-1 line-up which is PATHETIC. And the best teams like Argentina play a one man game which is terrible. I have watched Soccer for the past 20 years and it's getting worst and worst every year. The more money we see, the more soccer is all about winning, not about what we see. A team like Holland with so many strong players, didn't have one decent attack the whole game today. Argentina didn't have one attack that didn't come from the middle with Messi. A team like Serbia that I was sure won't win have 11 players that play in the top levels in the world, had 1 decent shot on goal.

It's not about 1st round, it's about coaches mentality that simply rather not get killed then try and win.

[terpkeg]

I do not typically follow Soccer, but I really get into the World Cup, and even the Euro Champ.

It seems like many posters, even Soccer fans, are saying these games are boring. I do not find these low scoring games boring at all. Even games I am not wagering on. I feel like a scoring chance can come at any moment, and unlike other sports, one score is so very important. When I have a wager on a game, I am on the edge of my seat the entire second half.

I grew up a huge NBA fan. IMHO, the NBA has turned into a terribly boring Sport. Maybe it was always this way, but I feel like you do not even have to watch the first 3 quarters of the game. Even if I have a bet on a game, and it is on my TV, I will barely even give it the time of day until the last few minutes.

[fisel]

Watch how Jose Mourinho beat Barcelona with Inter and you'll realise why teams play this way. I don't think it's much of a problem though, this will all change towards the end of the qualifiers and teams need to win.

[hedgejob]

It's the ball

[Squirrel]

I do not typically follow Soccer, but I really get into the World Cup, and even the Euro Champ. It seems like many posters, even Soccer fans, are saying these games are boring. I do not find these low scoring games boring at all.

Generally I agree and thats a good point, however these games havent been ultra defensive they've just been so devoid of quality its unreal - especially given all the best plaers in the world are allegedly involved in this.

[Squirrel]

It's the ball

Quite possibly, though its too early to say ... maybe thats the reason that players keep trying to score from 40 yards out ... Wesley Sneijder this afty was shooting from all over the place and making himself look rather foolish.

Interestingly enough the only team with experience of this ball prior to the world cup have put in without doubt the best team performance of the cup so far, namely germany, I believe this same ball was used in the Bundesliga last season.

[pronk]

How many world cups have you seen?

[phenomenon]

it is too early to speak about under over...

[WiseGrumpy]

How many world cups have you seen?

I'm a Soccer fan and player ever since I remember myself, watched all World Cup since 90 ...

And it's not the ball ...

[teaserpleaser]

whatever it is i love these unders

[samitarian]

Teams are just more even these days, other than germany-australia and argentina-nigeria I don't think any games had a clear favourite and it's expected that the games will be more tight and less risk will be taken.

I'm sure as it gets more into the world cup we will see more high scoring games as some teams will have no choice but to attack due to their group standings.

[rockman123]

Quite possibly, though its too early to say ... maybe thats the reason that players keep trying to score from 40 yards out ... Wesley Sneijder this afty was shooting from all over the place and making himself look rather foolish.

Interestingly enough the only team with experience of this ball prior to the world cup have put in without doubt the best team performance of the cup so far, namely germany, I believe this same ball was used in the Bundesliga last season.

Quite possible. As some of my friends tested the ball and sad that it requires less power to go further than any other ball. + the unusual curves it makes. But that should result in more goals in my oppinion. We ll see what happens in the comming days

[Glada Tartan]

Anyone revised their opinion on this issue?

Spain consequently forfilled this threads topic

[d1m@]

Totally agree!

Its tragic.. so tragic! Well only Germany plays with a forward play and NOT with the philosophy of winning with 1-0 in every game!

not only germany, brazil play the same kind of football

[Glada Tartan]

Agree!

And Uruguay was fun to watch + Argentina, Ghana, Kiwis ... ...

[cornerkick]

A lot of defense, too many tactics and not enough magic.