Next soccer world cup

[diplodocus]

i've found that us footy fans just call it the world cup full stop

[Deuce Bigolo]

We call it Soccer in Australia too but only because of our own Football Code Aussie Rules,where you can use your hands.....go figure!!!!

'The World Game' would be a better name for the sport IMHO

cheers
B....OZ

[strictlybroadband]

Some of the African teams have been making steady progress towards true world class over the past few tournaments - Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon may bring some upsets.

[Pervert]

Deuce !

Do u think its a fix that Oz have to play Uruguay in the play offs ?

[eduardo]

That might be a bit difficult as neither Nigeria, Senegal or Cameroon qualified for the Finals.

[Deuce Bigolo]

One of the rival coaches of the other 2 contenders for the fifth spot,chile & columbia said he hoped Argentina wouldn't go to Uruguay & lose and hinted if they did then it must be suspect

Sour grapes for mine.If your relying on another losing for you to qualify you've only yourself to blame

For mine Argentina may well have been going throuhg the motions in the 2nd half but what else would you expect when you've already qualified and the result means little more then expending unnecessary energy

In the end it was the best result for Australia
simply because there is no substitute for experience
9 players in the squad played in the last debacle their 3-0 in 2001 so you can't say we don't know what we're up against

Given Uruguays horrendous away form(no wins on the road)and with the 2nd match in Australia I think we might be half a chance.Who progresses will all be decided aftre game 1 for mine.

cheers
B....OZ

[Deuce Bigolo]

They've all gone backwards because of it although its got to be said how the concacaf gets 3/4 places and Africa ony 5 really defies logic given how many teams are playing in each confederation

Nigeria finished equal top on points and still miss out(No 2nd best loser chances as in Europe) but teams such as saudi arabia,costa rica & potentially trinidad & tobago make it means the tournamant really isn't representative of the best in the world IMHO

I'd like to see the North & South American Confederations as One playing for say 6/7 spots

Bet uncle sammy wouldn't be a walk up start every 4 years as he is now

cheers
B....OZ

[Deuce Bigolo]

Gone backwards because of a lack of constant investment from the footballing bodies/governments

I still say the Africans get a raw deal

cheers
B....OZ

[eduardo]

Yes they probably do get a raw deal.

Your point about the qualification all comes down to Sepp Blatter and remember he changed some things for this tournament which was all part of his re election pledge to give more places to the different so called smaller federations. Hence in a one member one vote organisation like Fifa then he was able to make promises to get votes to get re elected.

I believe (although correct me if I'm wrong) that he promised the Oceania federation an automatic spot only to back track after he was elected as his sums didn't add up.

That's the real reason why he wanted 36 teams and not 32 so he could fulfil his promises to all and sundry which would allow him to get elected again.

[Deuce Bigolo]

The Oceania direct qualification was a done deal but within 24 hours it was a dead duck

Bit like the South African World Cup in 2006

Guaranteed until Oceanias New Zealand rep Charlie Dempsey decided to go against his bosses vote and abstain from voting handing it to the Germans
Smacked of racism not to mention corruption

All I know is that it wouldn't do Australia any good to qualify direct because we'd be humiliated on the world stage.

You've got to earn your place otherwise there is no point in being their

cheers
B....OZ