Wednesday Discussion Post

Spain losing to the Swiss. I thought they were going to fly through the qualifiers looking unstoppable, only to choke up in the quarterfinals or something like that. Turns out, they started flubbing much earlier than anticipated.

I'm not that worried about having to play them, if we do. We'll win, simple as that. Obviously, they don't deal well with counterattacks, and that's our new cup of tea. Our defense is usually solid enough to hold off their advances so long as we don't lose focus.

I always knew it was going to be a low scoring match against NK, so I wasn't surprised by them. Well…I was surprised they scored a goal, sure, but that's it.

I think the Brazil team was very respectful of North Korea, almost sympathetic, perhaps because of their political situation. They always helped to pick them up and patted them on the head etc. This was the cause for the North Korea Goal: They could have stopped him, but did not want to play rough and risk a card when you are winning and the game is almost over. That's how I see the goal, but then again, it was a good goal.

I noticed that too, but I don't think that was the reason for the goal. Plain and simple, Brazil got lazy. We stopped playing. We knew we had it in the bag, so why mark up like you were supposed to do, right Lucio?

I don't mind so much, because I have complete faith in Lucio and know he wont make the mistake again. Better now than later on in the tournament. Plus, it's a lesson to our defense – don't get lazy, or goals will come. Play to the whistle. Even when we're up 2-nil.

I really liked seeing that comraderie too. I've also noticed a distinct increase in the amount of respect players have been showing the refs in general, as well as the distinct lack of diving.

Spain losing to Switzerland?? Selecao's crirtics, That's the World Cup for you!!!!

yeppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

Yes of course the likely hood of playing Spain in the R16 just went up big time. Why would you want to play Spain in the R16 instead of Chile or Switzerland? if its true that the “good teams” get better as the tournament goes on then you would want Brazil to play Chile/Switz. first THEN Spain. Chances are Spain corrects their issues and improves quickly.

Brazil usually struggles with locked down, closed shut teams, and this was no different. No reason for panic just yet.

Hahhaha!!!!Anyone who picks the Brazil game as the bigger surprise deserves to be shot!!!!!

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup/201...

Lol. Perfect write up.

Kaka was awful. How on earth did this moronic coach rest his offense on this supposed superstar? Please. Without Robinho up front good luck to us scoring for heaven's sake! If I were IC vs us I would mark Robinho and not worry about # 10. Bad in 2006 and off to a dreadful start.

Also it's mind boggling how anyone can walk in here so confident that we're going to win. Hello, look at one of the favorites today. This is soccer, anything can happen on any given day so easy with the Brasil are going to win the WC nonsense. They played a poorly ranked team who had no choice but to defend. So they dominated possession…who cares. They scored 2 goals. Should they not have scored 4? What did Fabiano and Kaka do? Nothing. Are we to assume they will be in form vs a tougher Ivory Coast and Portugal? I'm not so confident. Never am until that trophy is in our hands. REMEMBER it's soccer. Switzerland 1, Spain 0. And now if we take 1st probably Spain in R16

Every team struggles against bunkered-down defenses, but there are degrees of struggling. Brazil under Dunga have been frighteningly bad in this department, and the problem only figures to get worse if Kaka can't rediscover his form before the end of this tournament. The Real Madrid man was absolutely awful on Tuesday, particularly in the first half when he was arguably Brazil's worst player.

It's true the Brazilians won't face any more teams like North Korea, but every opponent is an early lead away from battening down the hatches. With Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo anchoring the midfield, Dunga's side is unlikely to pass its way out of trouble – there is a price for all that defensive solidity – which means Kaka and Robinho must be able to dribble past defenders with regularity.

NO SHIT!

Nkorea playing Brasil close– no surprise at all. Brasil himself did not want to get hellbent on attack. So it's completely normal that this would be a low scoring match for Brasil. He had to wait for the nkoreans to get tired or lure them into attack. It is worth noting that Brasil, while the score was 0-0, unlike Spain, was not feeling he frustration. They played diligently and patiently waited for he right time to pull the trigger, and of course we know the result. But I wonder if playing in slow motion like that wil bear its fruit with teams like Argentina or France? Never mind Brasil have got a very good team and if they really play like a team the cup is theirs.

@Starzz- That article pretty much sums up my concerns

Article pretty much sums up my concerns!!!

That article pretty much sums up my concerns!!!

Kaka did not have a good game, but please He is not a supposed superstar. I am a bit worry about the Melo and Gilberto, they both look slow at times.