Confederations Cup Thread

[seahawk10]

Hello and welcome to Spain's thrashing of the US. Teams to follow in a moment.

A hearty ALOLITO

[rabidbee]

Weren't Spain about to set a new unbeaten record? And then they get beaten by a team everybody expected them to thrash.

Why does that sound familiar?

[papereyes]

DeMerit's transfer value may have just gone up a bit after that!

I am sure Mr Rodgers will take note.

I would quite happily take DeMerit and Bradley into the Reading side.

What I liked about that performance was that it was a team effort. Lots of running, closed down the loose balls, some brave defending by the two centrebacks.

And Conor Casey gives me HOPE.

[Alan Partridge]

DeMerit's transfer value may have just gone up a bit after that!

I am sure Mr Rodgers will take note.

Correct me if i'm wrong s-h, but weren't a fair few Watford fans giving DeMerit a bit of stick last season, in that he was fairly woeful for you?

Him and that Onyewu (we were linked with him as well a couple of years ago) looked pretty damn good against the best front 2 in world football at the moment.

Only saw the last 15mins when the US had gone into survival mode but defensively they were outstanding. Sending off was laughable. Again a big fear for next years world cup for me is the standard of officials. If that's a red card offense then I doubt we will have many games finishing 11 v 11, or we'll just have games with no tackling in them.

[Silver Fox]

They had an extra day to rest and train and were in the host city for two days more than our guys, and neither fatigue nor rust explains it.

Do the US get much action in CoLOLorado? Might have helped a bit?

Anyways, excellent result for the 'mercans and as people have mentioned on last night's performance I'd be thrilled if Brendan raided his old club for Jay DeMerit.

Congrats also to Jonathan Pearce for one his classic convoluted links.

"Bob Bradley's brother was a big name in professional, errr major league baseball. Well this Bradley has got a real home run of a result here"

[cmonurz]

This is a funny old competition, isn't it?

Spain qualify for the semis after having to face the might of New Zealand and Iraq, whilst USA play (and lose to) Brazil and Italy, BUT still make the semis by virtue of beating Egypt, and THEN beat a team with a 35 match unbeaten record, 15 straight wins, and only 3 goals conceded in 17 games.

[rg6royal]

just watched the highlights from the USA game and can say USA did well but caught Spain on a bad day which was lucky for them!

[TheMaraudingDog]

The fact that this Cup is on BBC4 speaks volumes for just how shite it is.

LOL @ the Americans celebrating in the way they did as if they'd just won the World Cup. A bit like when Reading took United to an FA Cup replay really.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

just watched the highlights from the USA game and can say USA did well but caught Spain on a bad day which was lucky for them!

It was the classic cup upset.

A superior but overconfident team goes a goal down unexpectedly, and rather than than keeping composed, starts panicking and playing like there's 30 seconds left for the remainder of the match.

[TBM]

The fact that this Cup is on BBC4 speaks volumes for just how shite it is.

LOL @ the Americans celebrating in the way they did as if they'd just won the World Cup. A bit like when Reading took United to an FA Cup replay really.

BBC3

But anyway, its only been put on there because England are not in it - i can guarantee if we were there it would have more coverage. You go to Spain/USA/South Africa/Brazil etc and i bet its taking all the back pages of the papers and on the major sporting channel for each country.

[Ian Royal]

just watched the highlights from the USA game and can say USA did well but caught Spain on a bad day which was lucky for them!

It was the classic cup upset.

A superior but overconfident team goes a goal down unexpectedly, and rather than than keeping composed, starts panicking and playing like there's 30 seconds left for the remainder of the match.

Awful defending by Spain for both goals. Casillas was particularly at fault for the first goal. Should have saved that easily. It was a poor strike straight at him, but he virtually dived out of the way.

USA just gave them no time and space and hit them hard and fast as often as possible. It's not going to be a successful method in the long run, but in a less important tournament and the odd game it's quite likely to come up trumps.

[rabidbee]

The fact that this Cup is on BBC4 speaks volumes for just how shite it is.

Agreed. It's a bit like the World Club Cup.

[TheMaraudingDog]

‘greed. Entertaining but you’re not too bothered if you lose.

[papereyes]

‘greed. Entertaining but you’re not too bothered if you lose.

Yeah.

Its still a massive win for US. Of course they were celebrating.

It was the classic cup upset.

USA just gave them no time and space and hit them hard and fast as often as possible. It's not going to be a successful method in the long run, but in a less important tournament and the odd game it's quite likely to come up trumps.

Yuppity yup. See also Greece in 2004, imo. I think the two main risks are suspensions and fatigue. US have had three players sent off in four games for pretty weak tackles but its part and parcel of constantly harrying a more skillful opposition. Plus players get tired.

Still, I have a new favourite player.



That's not a keeper shirt.

[Ian Royal]

USA could win this. Brazil were turd tonight.

[Super_horns]

DeMerit had a few iffy moments last season like ALL of our players clearly and I am sure he played the game of his life last night.

I would rate him about 500k maybe?

[RoyalChicagoFC]

USA could win this. Brazil were turd tonight.

Yeah not good, but there's something about the gleam of a trophy perched pitchside that sends whatever necessary shock of motivation thru 'em

We've seen it before, and if they put together 15 minutes bearing any resemblance at all to their first half performance against the wops in the group stage, it'll be an absolute slaughter

[Kitsondinho]

USA 1-0 Brazil after 10 mins of the final........

[Ian Royal]

Brazil look better than the other night, but not by a great deal.

DeMerit has been poor.

Good as the USA look I can't see Brazil not scoring.


TWO oxf*rd NIL!!!!!

[Ian Royal]

USA remind me of Reading circa 2005. Devastating on the break from defending corners. Full of energy and drive and solid at the back.