Thrilling World Cup in a Brazil that ain’t ready – Me & Cathal Kelly argue it out
Posts under ‘Soccer’
A week of thrilling matches in a country that wasn’t ready
Undefeated by the puzzle of Brazil
Me on being in Brazil & adventures in the night. Fast impressions and strangeness….the rampant adolescent carnality… Continue reading
Ego and attitude derail Belgium’s title hopes
Why Belgium, dark horse, outside favourites are Struggling at this World Cup: Egos & attitudes are back…… Continue reading
Germany and the World Cup
Germany really, really wants to win this World Cup, but won’t…… Continue reading
Wayne Rooney epitomizes all that’s wrong with English soccer
Wayne Rooney is everything that is wrong & wrong again with English football…… Continue reading
The most surreal World Cup day ever
Spain collapse. Chile fan invasion. Wall collapse. The most surreal World Cup day described…… Continue reading
Brazil’s big World Cup part is on hiatus
A soccer fan, cheering for Brazil, reacts during the team’s 0-0 draw with Mexico on Tuesday. (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)
It’s time to love the USA team
Ghana’s Andre Ayew fights for the ball with Alejandro Bedoya of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal June 16, 2014. (BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)
The USA team, the freaks and geeks of world soccer. And this World Cup. Respect is due…… Continue reading
Argentina intends to win this World Cup
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a goal against Bosnia during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 15, 2014. (Michael Dalder/Reuters)
… and is killing it. With tedium…… Continue reading
It’s a pity, but true
England’s future looks good, just not at this World Cup. Played 45 mins of good football. It’s over…… Continue reading
Spain’s not out, yet
Iker Casillas is. The role of the goalie & where soccer and hockey intersect… Continue reading
Why World Cup Refereeing is unreliable
And why it must be better. Plus notes on some big World Cup Refs here in Brazil. They are the big issue… Continue reading
It has to be said
Sentimental affection for Brazil and Boomer nostalgia glosses over Brazil’s faults. After a tainted win…. the view from Sao Paolo
From Sao Paolo, on opening day…
… at this troubled World Cup, old-fashioned Brazilian soccer with flair would solve everything. Can it happen? I’m at Brazil v Croatia today… Continue reading
On eve of World Cup opener…
Italy’s Cristiano Zanetti (R) is restrained by teammate Damiano Tommasi (C) after receiving a yellow card from referee Byron Moreno during a second round World Cup Finals match against South Korea in Taejon, June 18, 2002. (© Reuters Photographer / Reuter/REUTERS)
… the bizarre story of the worst Referee ever. Read & weep (i’m now in Sao Paolo for World Cup start Thursday.)… Continue reading
Was World Cup ’98 in France the best ever?
rench supporters wave a France 98 scarf in celebration during the group C soccer World Cup 98 match between France and Saudi Arabia at the Stade de France in St Denis, north of Paris Thursday June 18, 1998. (Michel Lipchitz/AP)
For the matches, for the journos covering it..? My good friend Chris Young writing in the Globe and Mail, makes a great case with great stories… Continue reading
World Cup predictions/previews
French soccer team midfielder Paul Pogba challenges for the ball (Associated Press)
Me & Cathal Kelly divvied up World Cup predictions/previews. Me on Group E, France, Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras… Continue reading
France is toast
France midfielder Franck Ribéry has been ruled out of the World Cup. Photograph: Charles Platiau/Reuters
Ribery is out. What they’re saying
Neymar. The Next Big Thing or Big Disappointment?
‘We are all monkeys.’ After Dani Alves ate a banana thrown at him, Neymar’s anti-racism tweets went viral
And start thinking the dreaded penalties, now
The World Cup’s Ten Best Penalty Takers, according to The Independent… Continue reading
