It finally came. It finally went. The United States versus England, and as if there was any way we would forget the result, Robert Green made sure to make Saturday’s match an inadvertent classic. On this show, Laurence McKenna, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself discuss the results of that match, Argentina’s win over Nigeria, and South Korea’s win over Greece. We also look to Sunday, when Germany takes on Australia, Ghana and Serbia meet, and Slovenia and Algeria look to go first in Group C.
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The first Asian player who scored in 3 different World Cups is “Sami Al-Jaber” (Saudi Arabia) He scored three goals in 1994,1998, and 2006 World Cup.
Thanks Sean! It will be in today’s pod.
This podcast is slowly descending into farce and inarticulate analysis. How can Laurence McKenna say that Australia can beat Germany and that Cahill will be key to that? A world Cup match similar to a Merseyside Derby, are you serious?
Lets get it straight, Germany have finished 2nd and 3rd in the last two World Cups, and look at the record books, they have only lost twice in two tournaments, FINAL and SEMI FINAL, so now McKenna thinks Germany will become an ordinary side that begins losing matches to teams like Australia?
You say they lack experience? 8 of this squad were there in 2006, 7 of the squad won the UEFA U-21 championships last year and all are key components of their club sides and have shown great ability in die Mannschaft.
Please McKenna, don’t dumb this tournament down, yes Germany may have lost a lot of experience, but they are not so inexperienced to lose to Australia. I listened to World Cup Buzz for intelligent talk, now you are beginning to show you are probably like the rest of the anglo-phone media, because based on the FACTS, there is no way Germany has become ordinary and a victim for Australia.
I write this a full 3 hours before the game, and I hope you reply to this before, or after and admit your mistake.
Hi Roger,
I agree with your argument. I wasn’t really making the case for Australia to win this. I was just picking out where Australia would do well getting forward. Germany were highlighted in our preview podcasts and I thought that it would be good to shed some light on Aus.
I wasn’t saying that Australia will win. I am pointing out the areas that Australia could exploit their strengths. Germany get a lot of mainstream analysis.
My point about the Merseyside Derby is that this is a one off, for a ‘smaller’ nation their is real motivation to pull off a win when it is a one off. Like the FA Cup. Do you see my point there?
Germany are a quality side. I don’t doubt that. But predictions are there to be analysed like you have. I appreciate your feedback and agree with it. I think that is why Richard was worried about ‘romanticising’.
Upsets happen
If you want to ‘gloat’ (I know you aren’t gonna gloat) post-game or just share some views then drop me an email:
Laurence McKenna : laurencemckenna@epltalk.com
I’ll bring up your points on the podcast.
Thanks.
Okay, that clears it up a bit, however Australia have only ever won 1 World Cup game against Japan, so to even think they can match Germany, asking waaaaay too much, even if Cahill plays out of his skin, they cannot beat Germany.
Just seen Kevin Keagan on ITV who has rightly identified the real threat of Germany with all their U-21 Champions, everywhere else in anglophone media, Germany are Ballack and without Ballack Germany is dead.
Germany have only had 4 disaster World Cups in 14 attempts (3 quarter finals and 1 second round), so come what may, Germany are not a team that can lose to a team like Australia.
I think one valid and applicable theory which some seem to overlook is the gap is closing between the mediocre & good or decent teams.
I think Brazil and Spain are two teams above the rest based on performances and results in the last couple of years (It doesn’t mean they cannot lose to weaker sides but that when playing decent they will likely win) and 2 other teams could be just a step below based on quality (Netherlands but they have no winning mentality at World Cup, and Argentina but they have Maradona in charge but the talent is rich on the team).
Then all the other teams, including the good ones, are witnessing the improvement of the chasing pack. I think Ghana beating Serbia 1-0 is one example and in another case Slovenia barely beat Algeria 1-0 to show that even the odds-on to lose all their games (the Algerians) could have taken a point. Biggest win so far has been 2-0 for S. Korea over Greece.
Simply put, it is not like 1980s or even 1990s when there was still a visible gap between certain teams. One just needs to look at Africa to see that Egypt (best national team in terms of results in the African Cup of Nations in the last few tournaments) missed on WC 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Also, just check below some of the teams and the talent missing from WC 2010:
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/teams-sadly-missing-from-south-africa-2010/