World Cup, Germany, 2006

[Terra Nullius]

This thread really should be deleted.

Why?

[Terra Nullius]

Oh all Right!!!

I was planning to save this for later. But this constant begging and whining is really getting to me! I can't stand listening to your needy silences any longer.

So, here you are - fresh off the presses,..

World Cup 2006 Schedule: Pool Games


Wed 06 Sep 2006
Germany v. India
Argentina v. New Zealand
Korea v. Netherlands

Thu 07 Sep 2006
India v. England
Pakistan v. Japan
Australia v. Spain
Netherlands v. South Africa

Fri 08 Sep 2006
New Zealand v. Pakistan
England v. Korea
Spain v. Argentina

Sat 09 Sep 2006
South Africa v. India
Germany v. Netherlands
Japan v. New Zealand
Argentina v. Australia

Sun 10 Sep 2006
Pakistan v. Spain
England v. Germany
Korea v. South Africa
Australia v. Japan

Mon 11 Sep 2006
Spain v. New Zealand
India v. Korea
Argentina v. Pakistan
Netherlands v. England

Tue 12 Sep 2006
New Zealand v. Australia
Japan v. Argentina
Germany v. South Africa
India v. Netherlands

Wed 13 Sep 2006
Japan v. Spain
Korea v. Germany
South Africa v. England
Australia v. Pakistan

[Terra Nullius]

And as part of our feature-packed coverage of this iNsUpErAbLe moment in world sport,.. we bring you a round-up of this ... week's ... Featured Nation,...

Yes, yes, I know you're all gagging for it now. Well, you'll have to hold on just a little bit longer kiddies.

We'll be back after this short break.

[Terra Nullius]

Japan!!1!



Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 14
World Cup appearances: 3 (1971, 1973, 2002)
Best World Cup finish: 1971 (9th)
2002 World Cup: 12th
Olympic Games: 1932 (2nd)
World Cup: 1971 (9th), 1973 (10th), 2002 (12th)
Asia Cup: 2003 (4th)


Form
Japan plays a fast passing game with quick movement of the ball. They play a fast-paced, athletic game with strong possesion in mid-field. They have been criticised for failing to finish with confidence, sometimes letting well-built plays dissipate into nothing.

Japan put thier endurance and determination to good effect at the Qualifiers in Changzou, beating out the Gallic surrender monkeys (2:1) for the last available spot at the World Cup.

Since finishing last in the 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament, they have taken huge strides and deserve a second successive World Cup appearance. Like most Asian teams they play an attacking game at a fast pace and boast high individual fitness and skill levels.


Coach
Takahashi Akira (who captained the team at the Sydney Olympics)

Players
Takahiko Yamabori, 32, is not only their most experienced player but a penalty corner specialist. Kenichi Katayama is another player Japan rely on after taking five uncapped players to Changzhou.

Ben Hawes (GBR) breaks away from Akira Takahashi (JPN).

[Terra Nullius]

Terra's Top Picks

Wed 06 Sep 2006
Argentina v. New Zealand
Neither team is likely to take the cup, but this one should be a good tussle.

Thu 07 Sep 2006
Australia v. Spain
Book your seats early. This one's gonna be telling.

Fri 08 Sep 2006
New Zealand v. Pakistan
Get ready for some hot 'n heavy luvvin. C'wealth styliee


Sat 09 Sep 2006
Germany v. Netherlands
Oooh look!! Two crappy, boring Eurotards get to tough it out together for the day. Wheee!


Sun 10 Sep 2006
Pakistan v. Spain
Spain gets a chance to regain some dignity after being hammered by the Kookaburras

Mon 11 Sep 2006
Netherlands v. England
Oh all right! The Dutch suck spuds. But hey! Why not have the pleasure of watching England go down. One more time boys,..

Tue 12 Sep 2006
New Zealand v. Australia
Yeah,... You know you want it


Wed 13 Sep 2006
South Africa v. England
Aww heck. Who cares if anyone wins. I'm watching this one just for the injury time-outs.

Well that's it for major events in the World Cup so far. Stay tuned, sports fans.



And sorry if it's none too creative this time 'round, I've had a bunt of a week.

[Seeker]

I don't know if this is old but did anyone watch Italy vs USA??

Normally I always cheer for Italia..but they SUCKED this game! What kind of team is it that the Americans are still creating so many scoring chances and pressing them right down the field with 2 red cards??

**** the offence, the Italian defence would've been overwhelmed if not for fouls right in front of the ref. With two red cards!! I was impressed with McBride. Italy, where you AT?!

[joncha]

Wrong thread. This is the highschool girls world cup.

[Terra Nullius]

Joncha

Nice work teaching them to respect my authorahtay.

But don't go around scaring off the paying customers. Just make sure Imran doesn't get in here.

(Crap. I still can't find a way to make that joke work. Ah well, that's what you get for trying to reference South Park)

[Terra Nullius]

England




Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 11
Best WC Finish: 2nd (1986)
2002 WC: 7th
Major Tournaments:
Olympic Games: nil (combine with Wales and Scotland to compete as Great Britain)
World Cup: 1973 (6th), 1975 (6th), 1978 (7th), 1982 (9th), 1986 (2nd), 1990 (5th), 1994 (6th), 1998 (6th), 2002 (7th)
Champions Trophy: 1981 (6th), 1995 (6th), 2000 (5th), 2001 (5th)


Form
After years of stagnation and lack-lustre results, the EHL has undergone a significant restructure. Local competitions have been re-organised and greater emphasis is being placed on player development. Following a spate of retirements, this new look England side has begun to take impressive strides. They showed great determination to turn around what could have been a disastrous showing at the 2005 European Championships but faltered at the last hurdle in the Commonwealth Games, losing to Malaysia in the bronze medal play off. They continued to grow in stature at the BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier topping their group before beating Pakistan 3-1 to finish third.

OK, so they can't help being English, but let's hope we see a bit of energy out of them this time.

Coach
Jason Lee is another of the young former internationals now taking charge of a team. He won 25 caps for Great Britain and 62 for England and played in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and the 1998 World Cup. Thrown in at the deep end, he has taken time to impose his authority on the side but isn’t afraid to take criticism and stick with what he believes in.


Players
Captain and defender Brett Garrard and penalty corner specialist Ben Hawes have improved considerably since playing in the Dutch league and are key players. So too is the versatile Barry Middleton. The Mantell brothers - Richard the penalty corner specialist and younger brother Simon, an exciting striker are also playters to watch.

[Terra Nullius]

Anyway. I think there's one thing we can all agree on.

'There is not a chance in Hell that England will win this World Cup."

[Terra Nullius]

Originally posted by Seeker
Italy, where you AT?!

I don't know, but let's hope they stay there for a just few more hours.