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Olympic Football Tournament
Topic Started: Apr 20 2008, 07:29 AM (2,348 Views)
Johnbuildr
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shelsoccer,Aug 7 2008
11:50 AM
Interesting that there was a win and a tie in each group.  That obviously puts a lot of pressure on the four losers and some on the four teams with a single point for Round 2.

The Holland Nigeria tie could also be a good thing for the US.

Yogi's recap of the US v Japan game in the US youth forum didn't paint a very good picture of the US team, but an opening win is wonderful nonetheless.

So, what's the deal here folks? We aren't going to discuss individual games here; only in the separate countrys' forums? Someone help me out......?
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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Martin
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I think we should discuss individual games here. If you want to go into more detail about a specific team use that country's particular U-23 thread but there are only a couple of those, for the US, Argentina, Italy and Brazil. What do others think?

I taped Italy's 3-0 win over Honduras and hope to watch it later tonight. That is the most impressive first round win but two of their goals came from penalties. I thought Argentina v Ivory Coast was an excellent game. Argentina pulled it out by scoring off a quickly taken free kick. Messi was in excellent form in this game but the Ivorians' Gervinho caused plenty of problems of his own on the other end. IC's games against their group rivals Serbia and Australia should be fascinating. As stated here though, after losing their opening game they don't have much room for error. But they are a team worth watching if you get the opportunity.
Club Sportivo Desamparados
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libero
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Italy began well with that 3-0 win over Honduras. Giovinco showed his ability with a good all around game capped by scoring on a 25 meter drive. He, Rossi and Acquafresca combined well and Honduras never had an answer for them. An excellent way to begin the tournament. A win over South korea and/or Cameroon should be enough to send the Azzurrini through to the enxt round but playing like they did today they should achieve that.
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vince stravino
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The host, China, playing at home, can't even get past New Zealand. Jeez. That was one of the more surprising results on the first day for me.
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Yogi
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libero,Aug 7 2008
04:36 PM
Italy began well with that 3-0 win over Honduras. Giovinco showed his ability with a good all around game capped by scoring on a 25 meter drive. He, Rossi and Acquafresca combined well and Honduras never had an answer for them. An excellent way to begin the tournament. A win over South korea and/or Cameroon should be enough to send the Azzurrini through to the enxt round but playing like they did today they should achieve that.

It was a very dominating performance from Italy with Sebastian Giovinco leading the way. libero, as a Juventus fan you will enjoy watching him play this season. Quick feet, active and both a creator of and scorer of goals. He has the potential of becoming Italy's best young prospect in years. Giuseppe Rossi did a good job too as did Acquafresca who placed himself in dangerous scoring positions quite often. Rocchi, the lone over age player was hurt in pregame warmups. Hopefully he'll be able to play later on as he'll provide a good alternative in attack but this Italian attacking trio looks good without Rocchi.

Interesting that with Giuseppe Rossi playing with Italy and Ramon Nunez with Honduras there were players on each team who were eligble to play for the US!

Quote:
 
The host, China, playing at home, can't even get past New Zealand. Jeez. That was one of the more surprising results on the first day for me.


And apparently New Zealand were playing with 10 men for a significant portion of that game too! You keep thinking Chinese soccer will make a jump forward but since their lone World Cup appearance in 2002 they've become worse.

Brazil from everything I read about their game, had a lot of troubles with Belgium and were helped, as rosarino said, by some controversial sendings off of Belgian players. A lot of eyes will be on Ronaldinho who was not from all accounts effective yesterday.

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Johnbuildr
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Yogi,Aug 8 2008
07:19 AM

Quote:
 
The host, China, playing at home, can't even get past New Zealand. Jeez. That was one of the more surprising results on the first day for me.


And apparently New Zealand were playing with 10 men for a significant portion of that game too! You keep thinking Chinese soccer will make a jump forward but since their lone World Cup appearance in 2002 they've become worse.

Brazil from everything I read about their game, had a lot of troubles with Belgium and were helped, as rosarino said, by some controversial sendings off of Belgian players. A lot of eyes will be on Ronaldinho who was not from all accounts effective yesterday.


Woouldn't you think with a couple of a billion people to pick from that you would have one helluva player pool?? :rolleyes:
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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raconteur
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Johnbuildr,Aug 8 2008
07:21 AM
Yogi,Aug 8 2008
07:19 AM

Quote:
 
The host, China, playing at home, can't even get past New Zealand. Jeez. That was one of the more surprising results on the first day for me.


And apparently New Zealand were playing with 10 men for a significant portion of that game too! You keep thinking Chinese soccer will make a jump forward but since their lone World Cup appearance in 2002 they've become worse.

Brazil from everything I read about their game, had a lot of troubles with Belgium and were helped, as rosarino said, by some controversial sendings off of Belgian players. A lot of eyes will be on Ronaldinho who was not from all accounts effective yesterday.


Woouldn't you think with a couple of a billion people to pick from that you would have one helluva player pool?? :rolleyes:

Yeah and unlike India, China cares about the sport too. I've thought for years China was the sleeping giant of the sport but despite that 2002 World Cup appearance, where they went 3 and out, they have continually disappointed.
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raconteur
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Quote:
 
It was a very dominating performance from Italy with Sebastian Giovinco leading the way. libero, as a Juventus fan you will enjoy watching him play this season. Quick feet, active and both a creator of and scorer of goals. He has the potential of becoming Italy's best young prospect in years. Giuseppe Rossi did a good job too as did Acquafresca who placed himself in dangerous scoring positions quite often. Rocchi, the lone over age player was hurt in pregame warmups. Hopefully he'll be able to play later on as he'll provide a good alternative in attack but this Italian attacking trio looks good without Rocchi.


I too really enjoyed Italy's play. Giovinco's play was very refeshing and Yogi may have apoint about him being Italy's best attacking prospect in a long time. Despite his small stature, he is quick and deceptively strong. South Korea is next and all Italian fans have memories of the nations last matchup.
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vince stravino
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Result below














USA 2 NED 2

Painful ending for US fans as the USA crawled back after an early goal to go up by one with 25 min to play. Unfortunately, the Dutch nailed one in the waning moments to steal a draw.

US outshot the Dutch. I didnt see it, but rather watched it on Match Tracker. Looking forward to hearing reports.

Adu out against Nigeria with second yellow versus the Dutch.

At least we got a point and still control our own destiny. Should have been a win, though.
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xeneize
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The US had that game in their pocket Vince but threw it away at the end with a silly foul by Holden and then a free kick which went under the jumping wall. I thought the coach erred in taking Adu out of the game with 15-20 minutes left. He was the US' most valuable player in this game and his passing was missed at the end.

These are the day's scores:

Argentina 1 Australia 0
Ivory Coast 4 Serbia 2

Argentina advance, Ivory Coast are in control of their fate for 2nd.

Nigeria 2 Japan 1
USA 2 Holland 2

The US were minutes away from clinching a quarterfinal spot, now they're locked in a tight race, tied for first with Nigeria on 4 points with Holland on 2, Japan with 0 are eliminated. US-Nigeria coudl end up being a thrilling game.

Cameroon 1 Honduras 0
Italy 3 South Korea 0

Italy advance, unbeaten and looking impressive. Cameroon's win puts them in 2nd but Korea still have an outside chance to qualify. Honduras are out.

Brazil 5 New Zealand 0
Belgium 2 China 0

Brazil woke up and torched New Zealand, Ronaldinho with 2 goals. China had 2 players sent off as Belgium rebounded and have control of their fate to finish 2nd.
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Yogi
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Brazil and Italy were really impressive today. Ronaldinho, Pato and Hernanes were superb as Brazil just toyed with an overmatched New Zealand. Meanwhile it was Giuseppe Rossi who I thought was the key for Italy's easy win against South Korea. As noted above, all Italian fans tookpleasure in seeing Italy beat Korea! :D That is 6 goals for and none against after two games for the Azzurini. Actually Brazil ahs te same goal difference too and as the likely group winners from their respective sectors they'll end up avoiding one anothe rin the quarterfinals.
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Manzanares
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I watched Italy's win today and they looked good. Sharp passing plenty of speed and movement and Rossi, Rocchi and Giovinco are a dynamic group of attackers plus there also is Aquafresca in reserve. Defensively Italy, as nobody is surprised, look good too. They may not have many overage players but they look to me like they'll be a handful for any team in this tournament.
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SuperEagle
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Nigeria played well for the most part against Japan. They went up 2-0 in the 2nd half and only a poor clearance by the otherwise competent goalie Vanzekin led to Japan's goal. Unfortunately defenders Apam and Olubayo are suspended for yellow card accumulation for the decisive game against the US but James and Ambrose should be good replacements. I liked how Nigeria attacked down the wings and the defense in both games has shown itself to be strong while offensively Nigeria are creating scoring chances and the bench has been productive. Should be a good game against the US. Maybe Japan can do both Nigeria and the US a favour and tie or beat Holland?

A good day for all three African teams as both Cameroon and Ivory Coast chalked up wins, Cameroon did enough to defeat Honduras while Ivory Coast put up a good display in defeating Serbia. Both countries are well placed to move on to the next round now. Of the three African teams it might be Nigeria who will have the toughest path but the good thing is they control their outcome. A win over the US guarantees advancement.

Italy have really impressed me too. Question is has it been because of their good play or the level of the opposition?
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vince stravino
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South Korea is a solid, albeit Asian XI. On top of that, they are playing in Asia. Italy is really rolling on both ends of the field. That could be a problem in tournament play as a poor performance is always gonna pop up. If it is early in the knock-out round, ouch for the Azzurri.
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Johnbuildr
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SuperEagle,Aug 10 2008
11:53 PM
Nigeria played well for the most part against Japan. They went up 2-0 in the 2nd half and only a poor clearance by the otherwise competent goalie Vanzekin led to Japan's goal. Unfortunately defenders Apam and Olubayo are suspended for yellow card accumulation for the decisive game against the US but James and Ambrose should be good replacements. I liked how Nigeria attacked down the wings and the defense in both games has shown itself to be strong while offensively Nigeria are creating scoring chances and the bench has been productive. Should be a good game against the US. Maybe Japan can do both Nigeria and the US a favour and tie or beat Holland?

A good day for all three African teams as both Cameroon and Ivory Coast chalked up wins, Cameroon did enough to defeat Honduras while Ivory Coast put up a good display in defeating Serbia. Both countries are well placed to move on to the next round now. Of the three African teams it might be Nigeria who will have the toughest path but the good thing is they control their outcome. A win over the US guarantees advancement.

Italy have really impressed me too. Question is has it been because of their good play or the level of the opposition?

Unfortunatley for the US, our standout midfileder Bradley and the best player of the first two games, Adu, will both be missing from the US line up.

Even a Japan tie against Holland would undo them, would it not?
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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