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Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Number 6 Jun 09 2010 10:29 PM

New Zealand New Zealand’s national football team is called the All Whites, presumably named for their ethnic makeup. Or their all-white kits, who can be sure. At any rate, it’s better than whatever sporting analogies one could derive from being compared to a funny-looking, flightless bird. Their supporters have been dubbed the “White Noise.” Brief History With a small population, only one professional domestic team (playing in the Australian A-League), and the fact that football lags in popularity behind rugby and cricket, it’s a testament to the athleticism of its citizens that New Zealand’s team is as competitive as it is. Which is to say, it’s not all that competitive internationally, but it’s pretty solid, considering all the above. FIFA ranks the Kiwis at 78, ahead of several countries with far higher populations and/or greater interest in the sport, such as Iraq, China, and WC host South Africa. A respectable number of their players compete in English leagues, the Australian A-League, and the MLS. The Kiwis are appearing in only their second World Cup, but are still searching for their first victory, having been thwomped in 1982 by Brazil, the Soviet Union, and Scotland by a combined score of 12-2. In fact, the national team has managed only 1 point in a major FIFA event in its history, a draw against Iraq in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Nonetheless, they may be looking forward to further World Cups, as Australia has been moved out of the Oceania Football Confederation, smoothing the way a bit for future Kiwi qualifications. As their international record suggests, they will have to work quite hard to shed their history as a bit of a doormat against 1st and 2nd-tier world competition. Players Perhaps the most successful player on the current squad is Shane Smeltz, striker for Australian A-League team Gold Coast United who holds the record for most goals in an A-League season, with 19. Captain is Ryan Nelson, center back of the Blackburn Rovers, and perhaps known to some here. Vice-Captain is Tim Brown, who seems like a nice guy. Outlook With a draw of Italy, Paraguay, and Slovakia, the Kiwis only face one true football super-power, but advancement would nonetheless be an upset. A small victory would be in adding to their FIFA points total. But regardless of their success or failure, at the end they’ll still be able to go home to a stunning country.

Willets Point Jun 10 2010 07:38 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

New Zealand is my choice for a minnow team that will play a spoiler role even if they don't advance themselves.

Willets Point Jun 14 2010 01:17 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Take that you boring, Catenaccio-playing grass divers! Go Paraguay!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 14 2010 01:19 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="Willets Point"]Take that you boring, Catenaccio-playing grass divers! Go Paraguay!

Oh, so very much this.

metirish Jun 14 2010 01:23 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"][quote="Willets Point"]Take that you boring, Catenaccio-playing grass divers! Go Paraguay!

Oh, so very much this.




Love it.l.....I love seeing them go down a goal if for noting else is forces them to play attacking football....which they can

Willets Point Jun 14 2010 01:53 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Pits! Italy ties on a giveaway goal. On the upside, there were some nice looking Italian gals blowing kisses in the stands.

metirish Jun 14 2010 02:01 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

That's goalkeeping 101 right there, if you are going to come for the damn ball make sure you get it.....and it's not like he went out of his area to get it.....

Willets Point Jun 14 2010 02:24 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Bah! Paraguay deserved 3 points.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 15 2010 07:24 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Wow, New Zealand scored the equalizer in injury time, 1-1 with Slovakia. Small upset, no?

Willets Point Jun 15 2010 07:25 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

A dramatic finish to the New Zealand-Slovakia game as Winston Reid scores a game-tying goal in the final seconds of stoppage time. This is New Zealand's first point in World Cup history. I'm telling you, they're going to spoil the World Cup for one of the bigger sides.

metirish Jun 15 2010 07:29 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Sounded like a good game and has this minute by minute fella asking for more..... 90 min +2: DRAMATIC GOAL!!! New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia. So much for that wallchart! Paston hoofs the ball long. There's a bout of head tennis on the edge of the Slovak area. The ball's worked out wide left to Smeltz, who swings in a cross towards Reid, eight yards out. And what a header, plonked straight into the bottom-right corner of goal. Reid's booked for celebrating - but he won't care a jot, having surely secured a first-ever point for his country. AND THAT'S IT!!!!! New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia. That was the very last act of the match. What a finish! The first true dash of drama in this World Cup. Smeltz will be delighted with his fantastic cross for the goal, having missed a sitter a couple of minutes earlier. Slovakia were the better team in terms of quality, but New Zealand deserved that, having defended bravely and kept going until the death. That was a great second half. More of this, please, World Cup 2010!

Frayed Knot Jun 15 2010 07:48 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Fear the Kiwis

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 15 2010 08:31 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="Willets Point":w0b6k2vb]A dramatic finish to the New Zealand-Slovakia game as Winston Reid scores a game-tying goal in the final seconds of stoppage time. This is New Zealand's first point in World Cup history. I'm telling you, they're going to spoil the World Cup for one of the bigger sides.[/quote:w0b6k2vb] If they can somehow take care of Italy, I'd ruin my pants. (The happy way.)

metirish Jun 15 2010 12:24 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Blatant dive here in the Italy game http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/browbe ... e-day.aspx

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 20 2010 09:52 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Oh, yes. OH, YES. Viva Azurri!

metirish Jun 20 2010 09:54 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

What a result , it would be hard to overstate how huge a result this is for NZ. I wish I was down there right now. Congrats

A Boy Named Seo Jun 20 2010 09:57 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="Willets Point":33idcgnc]New Zealand is my choice for a minnow team that will play a spoiler role even if they don't advance themselves.[/quote:33idcgnc] Willets on Point.

The Second Spitter Jun 20 2010 04:59 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

I'm really disappointed the NZ team is not doing the Haka before each match, like their rugby team does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Y

Willets Point Jun 20 2010 05:40 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="A Boy Named Seo":2kjzo45k][quote="Willets Point":2kjzo45k]New Zealand is my choice for a minnow team that will play a spoiler role even if they don't advance themselves.[/quote:2kjzo45k] Willets on Point.[/quote:2kjzo45k] More to the point, in what condition do we find LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr's pants tonight?

A Boy Named Seo Jun 20 2010 06:13 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="The Second Spitter":1h39ms71]I'm really disappointed the NZ team is not doing the Haka before each match, like their rugby team does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Y[/quote:1h39ms71] That is fantastic. You know if you were on the other team, you'd want to make fun of it a little, but you couldn't cause of how scared you were.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 20 2010 07:39 PM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="Willets Point":10oj856g][quote="A Boy Named Seo":10oj856g][quote="Willets Point":10oj856g]New Zealand is my choice for a minnow team that will play a spoiler role even if they don't advance themselves.[/quote:10oj856g] Willets on Point.[/quote:10oj856g] More to the point, in what condition do we find LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr's pants tonight?[/quote:10oj856g] Not ruined... but the front seam's been strained a bit by my hate-boner.

The Second Spitter Jun 24 2010 12:47 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Buster Olney predicts an NZ upset v Paraguay on the basis that Jose Reyes drew the Kiwis in the Mets World Cup Sweeps.

Willets Point Jun 24 2010 08:26 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Gorgeous goal by Slovakia made all the better because it is against Italy.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 24 2010 08:56 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

What are the scenarios in this group? Sorry for the lazy question

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2010 09:29 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1p1wsy23]What are the scenarios in this group? Sorry for the lazy question[/quote:1p1wsy23] A whole lot's in play. Paraguay wins, Italy wins: PARAGUAY and ITALY Paraguay wins, Slovakia wins: PARAGUAY and SLOVAKIA Paraguay wins, Italy/Slovakia tie: PARAGUAY and ITALY New Zealand wins, Italy wins: NEW ZEALAND/ITALY (order depends on winning margins) New Zealand wins, Slovakia wins: NEW ZEALAND and SLOVAKIA or PARAGUAY (depending on winning margins) New Zealand wins, Italy/Slovakia tie: NEW ZEALAND/PARAGUAY (order depends on NZ's winning margin) Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Italy wins: PARAGUAY/ITALY (order depends on ITA's winning margin) Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Slovakia wins: PARAGUAY and SLOVAKIA Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Italy/Slovakia tie: PARAGUAY and ITALY or NEW ZEALAND (depending on how many goals each scores in tying; if they score the same amount... it'll be decided by coin flip) Basically, Paraguay's in, unless Italy wins AND the Paraguayans lose to the Kiwis, or Slovakia wins AND the Paraguayans lose by a veritable buttload to the Kiwis. For everyone else, it's try your best to win, and cross your fingers.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 24 2010 09:34 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"][quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]What are the scenarios in this group? Sorry for the lazy question

A whole lot's in play. Paraguay wins, Italy wins: PARAGUAY and ITALY Paraguay wins, Slovakia wins: PARAGUAY and SLOVAKIA Paraguay wins, Italy/Slovakia tie: PARAGUAY and ITALY New Zealand wins, Italy wins: NEW ZEALAND/ITALY (order depends on winning margins) New Zealand wins, Slovakia wins: NEW ZEALAND and SLOVAKIA or PARAGUAY (depending on winning margins) New Zealand wins, Italy/Slovakia tie: NEW ZEALAND/PARAGUAY (order depends on NZ's winning margin) Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Italy wins: PARAGUAY/ITALY (order depends on ITA's winning margin) Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Slovakia wins: PARAGUAY and SLOVAKIA Paraguay/New Zealand tie, Italy/Slovakia tie: PARAGUAY and ITALY or NEW ZEALAND (depending on how many goals each scores in tying; if they score the same amount... it'll be decided by coin flip)

Thanks. These are important games then! NZ-Paraguay low on thrills (and scoring, 0-0) from what I've seen.

Would a drinking song inspire the Kiwis?
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a0z9ZcSwPQ

Willets Point Jun 24 2010 09:49 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

A moment of silence for Italy's hopes of defending their World Cup title. Okay, that's long enough. Slovakia 3, Italy 1. Mwahahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!

metirish Jun 24 2010 09:52 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

[quote="Willets Point":4m0ltmek]A moment of silence for Italy's hopes of defending their World Cup title. Okay, that's long enough. Slovakia 3, Italy 1. Mwahahahahhahahahahahaha!!!![/quote:4m0ltmek] An astonishing game...3-2 now

Willets Point Jun 24 2010 09:55 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Au revoir, France. Ciao, Italy. It's a whole new tournament.

Frayed Knot Jun 24 2010 10:05 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Pretty wild ending to that Italy/Slovakia game -- Lots of goals and near goals, plus bodies strewn all over the pitch and more acting awards than Meryl Streep's mantle.

The Second Spitter Jun 25 2010 12:43 AM Re: Better Know Your World Cup Group F Teams

Hey Italia: This Best Regards ~3D