Football Thread!

[Phoenix]

Anyone watching England V Panama...first half isn't over yet and the Poms have pumped 5 into hapless Panama...

[kompir]

I think it goes beyond just being unsportsmanlike, I consider unsportsmanlike being arrogant or petulant after a win or a loss, perhaps showing an opponent disrespect by not shaking their hand at the conclusion of the game. things of that nature...

What the shiptari showed was a total lack of respect for the country that has taken in their sorry arses, that has provided them a refuge and that has provided the means and circumstances to pursue the privileged life of a professional footballer...if those despicable cunts want to make shiptar hand gestures, if they prefer to wear shiptar and kosovo flags and symbols on their boots and if they're not interested in respecting the Swiss national anthem maybe they should be shown the fucken door back to Kosovo...that's where I'd be sending the arseholes.

Put Berisha from Victory in the same fucking crate, he's done more than his fair share of political gestures on the field.

[Phoenix]

...At best I'd consider their behavior unsportsmanlike and if the Swiss Football Federation had any respect for itself, it would send both players home.

I think it goes beyond just being unsportsmanlike, I consider unsportsmanlike being arrogant or petulant after a win or a loss, perhaps showing an opponent disrespect by not shaking their hand at the conclusion of the game. things of that nature...

What the shiptari showed was a total lack of respect for the country that has taken in their sorry arses, that has provided them a refuge and that has provided the means and circumstances to pursue the privileged life of a professional footballer...if those despicable cunts want to make shiptar hand gestures, if they prefer to wear shiptar and kosovo flags and symbols on their boots and if they're not interested in respecting the Swiss national anthem maybe they should be shown the fucken door back to Kosovo...that's where I'd be sending the arseholes.

[Liberator of Makedonija]

@SoM

The justifications have been all over the internet;

"their families were forced to flee Kosovo"

"one of the players' father spent time in Serbian prison"

I get the raw emotion...

Nonetheless, there is a time and a place for political protest, but this isn't it, especially in a time when FIFA has made it it's mandate to put the game first.

At best I'd consider their behavior unsportsmanlike and if the Swiss Football Federation had any respect for itself, it would send both players home.

Apparently they're getting fined.

[Statitsa]

@SoM

The justifications have been all over the internet;

"their families were forced to flee Kosovo"

"one of the players' father spent time in Serbian prison"

I get the raw emotion...

Nonetheless, there is a time and a place for political protest, but this isn't it, especially in a time when FIFA has made it it's mandate to put the game first.

At best I'd consider their behavior unsportsmanlike and if the Swiss Football Federation had any respect for itself, it would send both players home.

[Soldier of Macedon]

The Serbs must be burning after their loss to Switzerland given that the two goal scorers for the Swiss team were ethnic Albanians who were rubbing it in their faces with that hand gesture representing an eagle. Here is something on the second scorer for the Swiss team:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xherdan_Shaqiri

On 11 September 2012, Shaqiri did not sing the Swiss national anthem in a World Cup qualifier against his ancestral Albania in Lucerne, and did not celebrate when he scored the opening goal of a 2–0 win. He wore boots with the flags of Kosovo, Albania and Switzerland for the match.

He's patriotic enough to disrespect Switzerland, the country which gave him the opportunity for a good life, yet not patriotic enough play for Kosovo, the place he was born, or Albania, his "ancestral" land. I'm surprised he hasn't yet complained about the cross on his Swiss jersey.

Here is a short clip of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6v5tUV0pDs

Notice how the Albanian supporters are booing each time a Swiss Albanian player touches the ball. And at the end, one of the players, Xhaka, looks set to score but is somehow easily dispossessed by the Albanian goalie.

[Bill77]

I don't get it. Why the fuck isn't Timmy brought on, at least for the last 20 minutes? He is an inspiration for the team and automatically raises their level of confidence as soon as he steps onto the pitch. This new coach seems to be all about statistics. Who gives a shit if Tim isn't as fit as some of the younger blokes, his mere presence alone can make a difference, not to mention his killer instinct near the opposing goals.

This as well. Apart from being a goal poacher and one of the best leaps for headers and always scores in huge games..... Just his mere presence inspires the team. I have no doubt we would have gotten minimum a draw against France and a win vs Denmark if he had come on instead of Juric. 4 points sounds nicer than currently 1.

[Tomche Makedonche]

I don't get it. Why the fuck isn't Timmy brought on, at least for the last 20 minutes? He is an inspiration for the team and automatically raises their level of confidence as soon as he steps onto the pitch. This new coach seems to be all about statistics. Who gives a shit if Tim isn't as fit as some of the younger blokes, his mere presence alone can make a difference, not to mention his killer instinct near the opposing goals.

Yep, what SoM said

[Soldier of Macedon]

The number of crosses...... Cahil would have scored 1 of them without a doubt.

I don't get it. Why the fuck isn't Timmy brought on, at least for the last 20 minutes? He is an inspiration for the team and automatically raises their level of confidence as soon as he steps onto the pitch. This new coach seems to be all about statistics. Who gives a shit if Tim isn't as fit as some of the younger blokes, his mere presence alone can make a difference, not to mention his killer instinct near the opposing goals.

[Karposh]

Juric and nabouf was dissapointing.. they shouldn’t be playing at this level and behich is suicidal.. kruse also dissapointing for his experience..

How good was young Daniel? Good games from Rogic, Moy and Jedinak.

Aussies should have won.. unlucky.. it will be very hard to get through to the second round.. if France beat Peru they will take it easy on the Danes..

Just got back from Sutherland pub. I hope I make sense with my couple of cents worth. Rogich, Mooy and Jedinak - Outstanding. But my man of the match goes to Mathew Leckie. He was awesome. Also, everyone there tonight was saying the same thing - Why aren't they putting Tim Cahill on? He's got the most big game experience out of all of them and he is clearly itching to get a run. Some were saying that his match fitness is down but who cares. Put him on for 20 minutes at least and let's see what he can do. He's a natural striker with an ability few have in front of goal. Anyway, good result just the same. We just need to beat Peru by a few goals now and hope France scores a hat-trick against Denmark.

[Phoenix]

Settle down boys I love Lucy..

Surely u don’t prefer Fozz?

She/he was looking more Dita von Teese than transvestite tonight...

[Phoenix]

The number of crosses...... Cahil would have scored 1 of them without a doubt.

Mate, the bloke is almost as old as you and he probably last played the same day you hung up the boots...

[Pelagonija]

She grew up with two brothers who played soccer, she's enthusiastic about the game and feels a part of the sports broadcasting team. Leave Lucy alone you clowns. She's alright

Settle down boys I love Lucy..

Surely u don’t prefer Fozz?

[Bill77]

The number of crosses...... Cahil would have scored 1 of them without a doubt.
Juric is a donkey and he comes on both games. Van Marwijk is a dud.

And don't get me started with Irvine.

[Pelagonija]

Juric and nabouf was dissapointing.. they shouldn’t be playing at this level and behich is suicidal.. kruse also dissapointing for his experience..

How good was young Daniel? Good games from Rogic, Moy and Jedinak.

Aussies should have won.. unlucky.. it will be very hard to get through to the second round.. if France beat Peru they will take it easy on the Danes..