World Cup 2010 - GROUP F (Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia) **spoilers**

[Robbo]

Jesus christ, they are acting like they've been shot after each challenge for a header...

Despicable.

 

[Greenlizard0]

To be honest I would really rather we went out that have to resort to cheating to get through. I know most teams do dive a bit but the Italians are taking the michael.

Why do refs believe them? It seems to me like a simple decision in most cases.

Did the player dive - yes/no
Are they trying to get the opposition player booked - yes/no

If the answer is yes to both questions then the diver should be booked.

To be fair, the South American teams, Italy, Spain and Mexico are all terrible at simulation (Latino thing perhaps? ) and it's very much come to the stage where "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" should come into it. Arsenal don't really have a player like that and I've always said we should get one especially as Liverpool, UTD and Chelsea all do.

If you look at NZ now, the front players are now scared to properly attack the Italian defence. It's very 'clever' from the Italians to cheat heavily at the beginning the match. It pushes the ball upfield in their favour.

 

[mmj_uk]

New Zealand players need to dive a lot more cos this ref is a sucker for them.

 

[SideWinder]

Wow what a strike!

(By NZ!)

 

[regulus]

All I know is that these girls in blue need to score asap otherwise I'm out of pocket

 

[mmj_uk]

All I know is that these girls in blue need to score asap otherwise I'm out of pocket

I stuck a pound on NZ when they were getting absolutely battered (20/1).

Come on you Kiwis.

 

[regulus]

Aye, got a fiver on them too. Either way, I will turn a small profit. More if these Italians can just do me a favour of one more goal

 

[mmj_uk]

IMO a draw is looking on the cards at the minute.

 

[regulus]

Have money on that as well .No, I don't have a gambling problem. Just using the WORLD30 promotion from William Hill.

 

[qqg3]

Missed the first 20 mins but all I've seen is these Italian ****** diving left, right and centre.

 

[Robbo]

Haha, NZ have got the idea now Dive dive dive!

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

Bit of a 'If you can't beat them, join them' approach with that 'head' injury

 

[mmj_uk]

This ref is an idiot he just awards anything where a player goes down.

 

[OriginalJonty]

Bit of a 'If you can't beat them, join them' approach with that 'head' injury

It's about time Italy got a taste of their own medicine.

 

[Azza]

I think it will be a draw, think Italy will get a bit stuck against the Kiwis.

Will be a very frustrating game for them.

What did I say...

10 mins to go.

 

[Feef]

Why are the Italians wearing black armbands?

It's in memory of Roberto Rosato, Italian defender from the 1968 European Championship winning side, and 1970 WC finalist. He died last night, though I'm not sure of the cause yet.

 

[Azza]

Or maybe NZ will score...!!

That was close.

 

[mmj_uk]

That was close for NZ.

 

[Azza]

Has the ref just booked him?!?!?!!

WOW!!!!

 

[OriginalJonty]

Wait? Did Nelsen just get booked?