World Cup Master Thread

[ChAiM'l]

PK's again. why even play the game.

Are you suggesting that they keep going until someone scores?

[yoshi]

Goodbye Holland.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Are you suggesting that they keep going until someone scores?

yes

[ChAiM'l]

yes

How exactly would that work? End the game when someone scores? It could go on for hours... This isn't American football.

Penalties are more balanced and although they don't exactly reflect skill, they give everyone an equal chance.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

How exactly would that work? End the game when someone scores? It could go on for hours... This isn't American football.

that, it seems to work for hockey.

[Ergel]

that, it seems to work for hockey.

+1000000
Ridiculous that a game of this magnitude is decided on pk's

[Yehuda57]

+1000000
Ridiculous that a game of this magnitude is decided on pk's

Hockey has almost double the amount of goals, on average, than soccer. And that's 30 minutes fewer per game.

Yes, it's frustrating, ridiculous and unfair. But it's hardly possible another way.

[Dan]

Yes, it's frustrating, ridiculous and unfair. But it's hardly possible another way.

Why? They fatigue and someone will score.
I doubt games for go on for "hours and hours".

While they're at it how about a better system for additional time? Seems so arbitrary and ripe for abuse.

[Yehuda57]

Why? They fatigue and someone will score.
I doubt games for go on for "hours and hours".

While they're at it how about a better system for additional time? Seems so arbitrary and ripe for abuse.

Agreed about the time. That's the one thing American sports does so much better - the clock (baseball has outs).

I suppose if the restructured the substitution rules entirely for extra time, it could be worked, but yes it is possible to go on forever, much more so than hockey.

And yes, they should go back to golden goal.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

While they're at it how about a better system for additional time? Seems so arbitrary and ripe for abuse.

while you are correct it has been improved these last few years.

[Yehuda57]

while you are correct it has been improved these last few years.

Really? Hasn't made much of a difference. Fergie time is a renowned fact.

The clock should simply stop at all stoppages, and the game should end at 90 minutes, whether the losing team is attacking or not.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

...and the game should end at 90 minutes, whether the losing team is attacking or not.

you trying to get the ref killed?

[Yehuda57]

you trying to get the ref killed?

Like all the murdered hockey, football and basketball refs?

The clock is there for everyone to see. The ref controls it just like they do in football. What's the big deal?

[ChaimMoskowitz]

The clock is there for everyone to see. The ref controls it just like they do in football. What's the big deal?

mind set is different in Europe.

[Yehuda57]

mind set is different in Europe.

Everyone resists change.

The same argument plays out in every sport with rule changes and advancements.

If that's the only argument, and I'm sure it isn't, then you must realize that it isn't an argument at all.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

If that's the only argument, and I'm sure it isn't, then you must realize that it isn't an argument at all.

the point is do they want the change? what we want does not matter.

[txtmax4]

The beauty of soccer is that it's not all clear cut. It's a "soul" sport.

[Yehuda57]

The beauty of soccer is that it's not all clear cut. It's a "soul" sport.

The beauty and soul of soccer lies within the players and their skills, not the temperamental referee watch. The beauty and soul can remain perfectly within a more fair and balanced structure.

This abstract "Europeans won't accept it" and "soul" argument has no substance. I'm more than welcome to hear a real argument against the suggestion.

This happens with every sport I have followed. Cricket, football, hockey, baseball, basketball, tennis and, yes, soccer. There are always the "purists," as they invariably call themselves, who resist change for no other reason than "My sport is different.  This is the way it's been, this is the way it must stay." How many Brits were dead against instant replay until their disallowed goal against Germany last world cup?

Player safety, instant replay, and clock management (in soccer), are huge changes every sport is dealing with, and sentimentality ain't gonna cut it.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

pretty good game so far. it will be a travesty if this game ends in PK's.

[yoruel]

Will some 1 score?