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Croatian coach warned World Cup could become a 'circus'
Croatian coach Niko Kovac warned on Thursday the World Cup could become a “circus” after Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura awarded a soft 71st-minute penalty to hosts Brazil in the opening game of the tournament. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesJust getting in as the celebrations, fun, and fireworks went on all night.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 08:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0To Mr. Well Dressed Croatian Coach Niko Kovac, I say:
Really ? Who are you kidding Niko, and I'm not just talking about your out of place suit and tie ?
Being there yesterday, I didn't see Croatia make any goals. Absolutely None.
Our player, Marcelo caught the ball on his foot ( heading out ) which then tipped into our net. Croatia should thank him for that goal, for the simple reason that as a team, Croatia scored absolutely ZERO.
I did see a number of FOULS by Croatia. And they earned their yellow cards.
Speaking of ZERO, as finished, as new, the stadium looked PERFECT. There were ZERO construction lixo or debris, no unfinished areas, and no fans falling from heights. Zero Problems.
VAI BRASIL !
Brazil were indeed fortunate that their acting is better than their football........great dive, is he also being entered for the pool events in the Olympics....?
Jun 13th, 2014 - 08:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0There did appear to be inconsistent refereeing. The penalty wasn't a penalty but I thought the foul prior to the last goal was the most blatant. There was also some obvious shirt pulling by the Brazilians that seemed to be ignored.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0However I didn't like the way the Croatians surrounded and tried to intimidate the referee on several occassions. All in all not a good advert for football.
I think Dilma must have had a few extra heartbeats when Brazil were losing by a goal for a while but ultimately she could relax. It wasn't a penalty IMO but Brazil won, the fans should be happy.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0It didn't stop the protests and ten minutes from the end of the game the press studios were pelted with rocks cracking the glass windows. If Dilma was hoping the protesters would disappear when the games started she must be disappointed. There are some very angry Brazilians.
Ola Elaine -
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0That was not in Sampa at the World Cup stadium. We exited slowly and there was none of that nonsense here.
The eggs and rocks thrown occurred in Rio, at Copacabana, at the UK ITV “ tent ” with the glass windows, according to the news.
Yes, there are some angry Brasilians, Elaine. Perhaps even some right here at Mercopress.
Day 2 has started. A Luta Continua !
@5 No, it was not in the stadium of that game but my point is that not all Brazilians were glued to the TVs distracted by their team's victory. I should have made that more clear.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0That was the political comment. From a sporting point of view, bring on the next games. Chile tonight!
Outright theft.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0Poor Croatia...
Essentially the referee gave the game to a uninspiring Brazil.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 11:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0Croatia were robbed of at least one point from that.
The penalty was disgusting, Fred took a dive and should of been booked for cheating but was instead awarded a penalty and the third Brazilian goal led from a very obvious foul by the Brazilian team.
I think the occasion got the best of the referee and he made some diabolical decisions that robbed Croatia of the game.
It's a shame because with the quality of the Brazilian team they would of most likely won the game without the referee giving the game to them through 2 poor decisions.
6
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thought you were a football fan.....the only interesting match tonight is Spain/Netherlands.....evenly matched.
8
Strange last paragraph...most likely would have been a draw....
Though I'm sure Brazil will settle now into the competition and start to show the Latin American flair that all football fans have been expecting...
Xect, the Croatians were robbed alright, but diving is part of the game. It's in every League in every country. As long as nothing is done by FIFA to stop it, the players will continue to fall like ballerinas.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The referee robbed the Croatians, not the Brasilians. With FIFA as Brother in crime.
Oh I guess WC has started.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Who knew?
Being from USA, I understand you don't care, yanqui.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You're shite...
12
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Who won the last SuperBowl....most of the world neither knows nor cares...
Soccer is the World sport with more fans than all the other sports put together....
Welcome to the 21st Century America...get with the times and stop embarrassing yourself with your splendid isolation and parochialism...
@13
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0SuperBowl. Is that rounders or the other one? ; )
14
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Exactly.....;-)
In the USA Soccer is the least watched national sport and those few who do watch it are from the lowest education and income strata.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0No thanks, it will never catch on here. It is too much of a girly wimpy game.
Sorry if the truth hurts.
Come off it. You don't even do proper motor racing. Just dtive round in circles ; )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0My company used to have box seats to our Soccer team, which is supposed to be pretty high ranked, the only people I could give them to were the people who cleaned the building.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'd leave them on my desk with a “gratis” sign and hope they were gone in the am.
Can understand that. Who would want to watch a US soccer team playing ; )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@9 I didn't say that was the only match I would be watching. I shall certainly be keeping an eye on Fàbregas as he has just signed for Chelsea. My goodness the Gooners are upset. :)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Here's a “Girlie” sport for you....because it's tough to catch the guy with the ball lets attack the guy that hasn't got the ball....
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Goal scrounging was eliminated in both Rugby and Soccer....Rugby by not being able to throw the ball forward....Soccer by the offside rule.
Only a “girlie” sport would allow this to happen...
Don't want to tire ourselves too much let's have a break every tine we gain a yard or two....
Wait a minute...there is one....American Football (Handball)...should it even be called Football....
That awful Beckham women had a very hard time adjusting to being a nobody here in CA.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@20
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't follow football. Wouldn't know who is in what division. But I do understand the offside rule! But I will be watching World Cup to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement. Bit upset that Emmerdale went AWOL though : )
“It is too much of a girly wimpy game”
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0.....unlike rounders and that “bouncy bouncy” game y'all like to play?
And WWF wrestling. A 'sport' truly for the intellectual elite.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It would be hard to say which “sport” has the dumbest poorest crowds. WWF does sell out though.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Any “sport” that can end in a tie, has people writhing on the ground over a little tap is girly. Absolutely. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.
That's what most people think here
and why nobody watches it.
except poor foreigners.
“WWF does sell out though.”
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Worrying isn't it..
I'd be more worried if Soccer started selling out.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As I have said - don't follow football, but will be watching this special event.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Been researching one of your national sports. This, but grown ups play in US ? ; )
http://youtu.be/luJ4F1N7eEA
@17 Trunce!
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They get lost on a normal circuit. No GPS in a NASCAR...
I guess I was watching a different game. The one I saw Brazil scored all the goals. How was Croatia robbed of a victory if they scored no goals?
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And they can manage a straight line in drag racing : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@32
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yep, they've got that part down. None of those baffling corners to worry about...
For penalties and offsides which are so crucial in a football match to results they should have a video referee. Football lacks credibility otherwise.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 029. Next time please post a link in English so I can follow it.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So we're all agreed then - American sports are as dull as ditchwater and they only play them to avoid competing with the rest of the world.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 035
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's not surprising ...when you consider the pupils were not English...
3 Billion watched the game last night! :)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 08 Xect
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I thought Croatia played exceptionally well, as they usually do, and there is some merit to Kovac's observation that his team deserved at least a draw from a match. But, by the same token he should be censored for his criticism of the referee. I don't know what you think you saw, but If you watch the replay Fred's shirt was clearly, pulled which in it's self merits a penalty.
Calling Mr Darragh - you are being maligned.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In response to Heisenbergcontext. I just looked up drag racing, and auto transmissions seem to be the preference. Would have thought not having to steer would have allowed capacity to multi task throttle, brake, clutch & 'stickshift'.
Sorry everyone for being off topic.
40
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0F1 cars only use the clutch to start from standstill, the on-board computer automatically cuts the engine, depresses the clutch and switches ratios activated from a button behind the steering wheel.....
But they still select gears, which is something I suppose. F1 seemed to decline about same time a they discovered carbon fibre.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Are you formally A-Voice?
that japanese referee was a ladrón.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0thief.
delincuente.
as for american sports, they all stink.
instead of F1 they have that joke of nascar, instead of football they have ... nothing.
instead of rugby union they have american football (probably the stupidest game ever along with baseball).
the only one worth to play / watch is basketball.
not a surprise bowling is soo popular there.
@41. Sorry meant formerly A_Voice. I noticed yesterday some posters referred to you as A_Voice.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@39 Terence
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Agree about the penalty, but as a local commentator put it “He made a meal of it...” Bit theatrical!
@40
FYI ( apologies if you've already figured this out ) - auto's can shift a lot faster than a manual, they're also a lot tougher. They're STILL using old Chrysler Hemi engines from late sixties/early seventies.
Yes thanks - just being a little facetious for Yankeeboy : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 044
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If I were to hazard an educated guess, then I believe that the poster to which you refer had their login manipulated and then blocked by the site....(rumour has it)
So no... I am most certainly not the name to which you refer....in fact I've never heard of him.......'Onest Guv'.....;-)
Thanks for that. Well I guess it's a promotion from being, a voice, to being THE voice.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 043. Is bowling popular? That's a surprise to me!
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Paul, If our sports are so awful why oh why do your newpapers always have the Rg sports stars that immigrated to the USA on the front page every time they pass gas?
It is pretty shameful and pathetic.
But when you have nothing I guess you have to grasp a the little things.
To be fair American sports need to be experienced to be appreciated....it's the whole ensemble it's a Big Show and suits Americans and is exciting....
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It's like trying to compare a CD with being at the Proms for classical music...it's the atmosphere....
yankeeboy
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the only argentines who have migrated to the us are basketball players, delfino, ginobili, etcetera.
clearly the nba is the best basketball league ever.
no doubts.
american golf is also great.
american tennis...well, not so great.
but the main “sports” the americans love are some kind of joke for the rest of human beings.
i mean, wrestling, mma, catch... they can barely be called sports.
Really starting to wonder about the officials at this world cup. Mexico have had two perfectly good goals disallowed.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0At least Emmerdale follows : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 05:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@53 LOL! Never watched Emmerdale but I guess it must be good. :)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 05:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Gripping - would be appropriate ( note to self - must get out more)...
Jun 13th, 2014 - 05:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(50) The poster formerly known as A_Voice
Jun 13th, 2014 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0....“It's the Atmosphere”.... and them Hot Dogs..... ;-)
Cholesterol - think cholesrterol, especially in later years. : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 06:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(47)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 06:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.... ;-)
Mr Muppet Paster learnt me the error of my ways. Since then I have become a quieter, humbler poster.
56 Think
Jun 13th, 2014 - 07:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's right Mr. Think.....I almost forgot....;-)
It's a tangled web we weave....;-)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 07:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The A_nother Voice...
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A tangled web, indeed...
Mr. Muppet Paster did once try to teach me the errors of my ways too...
Since then......................... he has become a quieter, humbler regulator...
I believe the answer is 42. This is tiresome.... : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Turnip at (62)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What was the question?
:-)
The gobbledygook of your post warranted an equally irrelevant response. As I said - tiresome.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Turnip at (64)
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have always wondered why turnips have an inclination to quote from books they havn't properly read.....
Life Universe and everything.....
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Spain/Netherlands match was a bit of a surprise....
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0About to see how Anglotino's brethren fair...don't think they have a hope, but you never know....World Cup's full of surprises.
61 Think
Regulator you say....but why would a regulator insinuate that I was a sock? They would know better.... as you obviously do.
I think you mean 'fare'... : )
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hundreds of millions of people saw the “foul” against the Brazilian forward, that was awarded a penalty by the Japanese referee....the only difference between the opinions of the Brazilian fans and the rest of the world is that the Brazilians wont admit the foul never existed...Fred should be given an Oscar for acting so well. Also in the Mexico x Cameroun game, Mexico had two goals annulled, one of them perfectly legitimate....that's why, as long as FIFA refuses to accept the “video referee”, as in other big revenue sports (TMO in rugby, replays in tennis), it simply stimulates disloyal practices, not compatible with any sport.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 068
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are right, I did mean fare and they are not fairing too well...2 down and looking beaten....
C'est la vie
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(67) The Voice
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You say...:
“....but why would a regulator insinuate that I was a sock? They would know better....”
I say...:
Search me......... Was it Mr. G.M. himself insinuating that....?
1-2 to Oz...! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
72 Think
Jun 13th, 2014 - 11:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't know...someone with access to logins.....
http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/13/argentina-satisfied-with-chile-s-renewed-support-for-the-malvinas-cause#comment328009
....only one down back in the game, to be fair they do prefer cricket...
(73) The Voice
Jun 13th, 2014 - 11:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have seen such threads (as the one you linked) a couple of times in here at Mercopress...
I suspect one of the editors of Mercopress, when bored stiff at the office, trolls us posters in here...
Mr. G.M.; MercoPress's “Numero Uno” is a serious gentleman... When he wants to tell you something to, he sends you an Email...
Has it finished yet?
Jun 14th, 2014 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
Jun 14th, 2014 - 01:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0K'noath!
Well done, Chile. (Sorry, Anglotino)
Jun 14th, 2014 - 09:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0Mr. Nishimura is a peace criminal. No kidding,
Jun 14th, 2014 - 02:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Philippe
What is a 'peace criminal'?
Jun 14th, 2014 - 03:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0During a quick interview after the game - which was surprisingly and miraculously aired - the Japanese ref Mr. Nishimura actually said that the penalty he awarded to the Brazil team against Croatia, WAS doubtful, BUT, that being in Brazil, he decided to give the benefit of the doubt to Brazil....doesn't say much about the quality of his refereeing, but it says a lot about the possibilty of something fishy being prepared behind the scenes....
Jun 14th, 2014 - 04:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@80
Jun 14th, 2014 - 06:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oooooh! Intrigue!
Do you think something is being cooked-up to ensure a Brazilian victory?
Yes this Brazil WC promises to suck big time... Anyway
Jun 14th, 2014 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://i61.tinypic.com/2daaoau.jpg
@81....Wouldn't surprise me.....FIFA is not above a bit of corruption - as everyone knows - and neither is Brazil. But if Brazil wins the next games without having the refs resort to dubious decisions, I will re-think my present opinion.
Jun 14th, 2014 - 11:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We watch with interest.
Jun 15th, 2014 - 12:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0I'd have liked to see the Croat's win that one.
Jun 15th, 2014 - 08:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0However, - Opening game etc, - No f way they would have been allowed to win.
I have a few Croat friends, and colleagues. A good bunch of people I find.
Hmmm....
Jun 16th, 2014 - 09:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Brazil Zero Mexico Zero.. I would call that a win for Mexico.. Brazil home field advantage didn't play out well last night...
Jun 18th, 2014 - 02:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Post game comments here in Fortaleza was that our team “ is asleep.”
Jun 18th, 2014 - 06:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I thought it was a good game, and to me our team is actually not in sync yet.
Many new buildings, and a new highway out to Porto Das Dunas. Iguatemi Shopping Centre is crowded and bustling with activity. New flatscreen TV's were being sold and going out the door as we were there, carton after carton.
The Croatian crybaby coach has been forgotten. Leaving here tomorrow.
Botinho,
Jun 18th, 2014 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'd love Brasil to win the cup. I really would. Watching the game yesterday in a place full of Brasilians, the way they are, screaming for their team.
I concider myself privileged to be married to one.
But I, and the group of Brasilian blokes I was drinking with yesterday do not share your optimism.
But let's see what happens in each Brasil match......
Beautiful stadiums organization matches..........Brazil will win, for sure.
Jun 19th, 2014 - 12:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0The video of these sirs that dont mix politcs with sports........ “England fans you'll never take the falklands.” You can search it in google.
Ola Escoses Doido -
Jun 19th, 2014 - 12:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0You are indeed blessed to the stars above, the most fortunate amongst fortunates, to have the energy and foresight to be married to a Brasilian wife.
You must be a very wise man with a lot of patience.
And now Back to Reality:
Croatia made the 3 goals it needed to stay in the World Cup.
And shock or all shocks, España leaves us in one week.
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