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You are here: Home / Sports / The Other Football

The Other Football

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Hi, everyone, my name is Randy Paul. I normally blog at my own blog, Beautiful Horizons. John has graciously accepted my offer to blog about the upcoming soccer World Cup in South Africa starting in June.

My love of this sport goes back some thirty-six years and I blog about it regularly. A brief explanation as to my passion for the game is here. I have a breakdown of the groups and my educated guesses as to who comes out of the group stage in this post.

A bit about my biases: I’m married to a Brazilian and unless I’m possessed by an urge to sleep on the couch, I tend to pull for Brazil – except when they play the USA. I want to see the sport grow here and success on the international stage will only help. While I admire a number of Argentina’s players, especially Leo Messi and Gabriel Batistuta from several years ago, I don’t much care for Diego Maradona.

I think South Korea got away with murder in 2oo2. I’m not a big fan of the Italian national team’s typically boring defensive game, although I credit their last coach with some daring play in the 2006 World Cup. I think England has some fine players, but I think they are overrated. Spain is my favorite team in Europe, Ivory Coast in Africa and Japan in Asia.

On the club level, I pull for Arsenal in England, Barcelona in Spain, Lyon in France, Fiorentina in Italy, PSV Eindhoeven in Holland, Cruzeiro in Brazil and FC Kaiserslautern in Germany.

So, enough about me. As of this writing, there’s 129 days till the start of the first match. I’ll be back around Memorial Day with some updated predictions educated guesses. I hope you all will follow along and add your comments!

Reader Interactions

98Comments

  1. 1.

    General Winfield Stuck

    I know nothing about soccer. Maybe it’s time to learn. The Steelers looked like a soccer team this year, running around aimlessly kicking themselves. Maybe you could touch on that some, and did you know the Browns beat Pittsburgh this year. Little known fact, but true.

    Anyways welcome. anything you say about the game will be educational, at least for me.

  2. 2.

    Bootlegger

    This is snark, right? I thought the Juicers were allergic to the world’s most popular sport. I think its awesome we’ll have some WC chatter here this summer.
    I too am a big fan of the real football and I attended the World Cup in Germany in ’06 and went to two games when the WC was in the US. I’m a terrible nationalist and follow all the yanks playing overseas. Everton is currently my must-see team and I’ve followed Hull City a lot this year. I’ve followed Fulham ever since they had Boca, McBride and Dempsey. I’ll have to follow Bolton now that Stuart Holden is there. In the Bundesliga we added Ricardo Clark and his new team Entrecht Frankfurt to the results list in addition to Bradley and Cherundolo.

    Think Davies will be back in form for South Africa?

  4. 4.

    mcd410x

    The Arse really spit the bit today. Good thing everyone was rested for the FA Cup (loss). At least Sol Campbell is back! (what?)

    Edit: DougJ, Fever Pitch is wonderful. But then I’m both an Arsenal fan and a Hornby fan.

  5. 5.

    Eric S

    An Arsenal fan? Had to be a disappointing day with ManU pretty much having their way today. I thought Arsenal had some chances but too many shots weren’t on goal.

    Needless to say, I’m also look forward to some WC chatter here.

  6. 6.

    Randinho

    Doug,

    Loved it. It made me an Arsenal fan.

    I would love to see Davies back, but I bet it would take a miracle to have him back and match fit in time. I’m immensely relieved that Dempsey appears to be alright and should be ready for the WC. Landon Donovan gets all the attention, but I believe Dempsey is at least as good.

  8. 8.

    Martin

    I am SOOO excited about the World Cup. I’ve been lobbying the various coffee and lunch places around work to agree to show all the games. We did this 2 years ago and it was great. The management were shocked at how much their business picked up. Alas, management in these places tends to not last, so we’re educating a whole new crew.

  9. 9.

    Martin

    @General Winfield Stuck: I’ve always found that soccer is most easily understood by Americans if they understand hockey (that usually gets people in the room swearing at me) as there are sufficient similarities in gameplay to build off of.

  11. 11.

    Eric S

    @Martin: My boss, a pure American Football and baseball fan, was blown away when 3 of his 10 team members started putting in time off requests the day the WC schedule was announced.

  12. 12.

    Mike E

    I hear there will be some movie screen venues for watching the WC–but, will there be any games in 3D?

  14. 14.

    Chi-city

    You are welcome here anytime. One thing about B-Jers, we want to educate ourselves beyond our own realms and soccer is a great world sport. Great tournament, great for South Africa. Go USA.

  15. 15.

    Nylund

    But what MLS team do you root for?!

    (Admittedly, you could just make up a name for an MLS team and I wouldn’t even know it)

  19. 19.

    Annie

    @General Winfield Stuck:

    The Browns beat Pittsburgh. But, exactly how many Super Bowls do the Steelers have, and how many do the Browns have? A little know fact possibly, but also true possibly. Your point being……? Truth is a curious thing.:-)))

  20. 20.

    asiangrrlMN

    Well shit. I was convinced this was a gag post because your name is VERY similar to Rand Paul’s name. But then, you actually seemed to know what you were talking about, and your website appears to be real and readable. So, with those provisions, I am accepting that you are, indeed, a footie fan. Welcome!

    @jeffreyw: And by training, you, of course mean, staring intently at the light until it’s time to pounce! Awwww, Toby. You’ll get the light one day.

  22. 22.

    Jon

    Hail Hail the Celts are here, What the hell do we care, What the hell do we care…

    Celtic, FC Barca, St. Pauli FC. Still haven’t found a Premiership team to get behind full-time, although Fulham’s brigade of Americans and Aston Villa’s having Martin O’Neill have drawn my attention.

    (Yes, Protestant Celtic supporter. Don’t look at me like that. Bono supports Celtic.)

  24. 24.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Of course if you read his name right it opens up some very interesting possibilities. Wink wink nudge nudge say no more.

    Hi hon. Slow night at work and I’m bored.

  26. 26.

    burnspbesq

    @Jon:

    Aston Villa’s having Martin O’Neill have drawn my attention.

    That would be the same bloody genius who ran Kasey Keller out of Leicester.

  27. 27.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: Ha! Funny. I was looking for you in the last thread. I had a dream about you the other night. We were teenagers and counselors at a summer camp. Very weird. How you be?

    Oh, and I watch whatever games ABC deigns to show because I do not have, as you kids say, the cable.

  28. 28.

    eponymous

    Randinho,

    Looking forward to your commentary. Do you get to watch Fox Soccer Channel much? It helped re-introduce me to the beautiful game about 6 years ago (began following it in earnest again for 2002 WC).

    Became an Everton follower in 2004 (post-Rooney) and am pleasantly pleased that Donovan has fit in quite well with the squad. Many Everton supporters are hoping he stays – he may well decide to after the WC is finished (and whether Everton can find the cash to bring him on permanently).

  29. 29.

    BillCinSD

    @burnspbesq: Davies is jogging and doing agility drills, has gained back 15 pounds that he lost after the accident, has one surgery left, and after a week of recovery will potentially begin training with his club team, FC Sochaux, by the end of February and playing by possibly April. according to an interview in Soccer by Ives.

    http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/davies-is-on-the-road-to-recovery.html

    Oguchi Onyewu may be returning soon too, although how much he will play for Milan is certainly important.

    Clint Dempsey does score a goodly number of late, important goals. Unfortunately Bradley plays him at wide midfield and he plays essentially no defense, leaving the right back to cover two players.

  31. 31.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I have cable mostly for the Internet connection and Food Network. Plus a few other things (Southland, how the fuck did I miss this genius the first time around?) but yeah I could dump it if I wanted and had a better Internet option. My parents have satellite and a flat screen that is nothing short of amazing, but they’re spending my inheritance so I’m okay with all that.

    I’ve been a counselor at various camps a few times. Not sure I’d want to repeat the experience, mostly because I got canned for having an honest sex discussion with the kids. I was NOT prepared for the flood of questions I got, and they weren’t all of the tee-hee variety. They were GOOD honest questions. The amount of curiosity and lack of knowledge was astounding. I’m still proud of that to tell the truth.

    Numbnuts the toxic worker is here but I only have to deal with him for another nine minutes.

  32. 32.

    Randinho

    eponymous,

    Yes, much to my wife’s consternation. I also watch Gol TV for the Brazilian, German and Spanish leagues.

    asiangrrlMN,

    I’m praying he doesn’t get elected aside from the ordinary reasons.

  33. 33.

    Yutsano

    @Randinho: My opinion on Rand Paul: win the primary then end up being even too crazy for Kentucky and the Dem wins. At least that’s the scenario I see playing out. Has Bunning officially resigned yet?

    @Randinho: Resigned was the wrong term sorry. What you said, not running for re-election, is what I meant.

  36. 36.

    Royston Vasey

    Football is my sport. Err, I mean soccer btw.

    Randinho, you must of been a bit upset at todays clash between the Arse and United.

    I’m watching the Premier League highlights on TV right now.

    RV
    (Manchester United)

  38. 38.

    pattonbt

    In the EPL I always go for who is sponsored by Thomson Electonics(?). Forgot who that is now, but I love catching the games on the weekends when I can.

    And go Ghana Blackstars!

  39. 39.

    morzer

    Having watched every game South Korea played in 2002, I can say only that Randy is simply delusional. South Korea played out of their socks and deserved every win they recorded. Yes, they had some luck, but so do all teams that get to the semi-final. As for the “murder” you claim that they got away with, you can certainly blame the referee if you want, but there’s no reason to claim that South Korea behaved poorly or unfairly.

  42. 42.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Randinho: I can imagine. Though, the usual reasons are pretty damn good reasons, too.

    @Yutsano: Good for you. I have already decided if a kid can ask the question, then s/he deserves an age-appropriate response. Out of curiosity, do you have blond hair?

  44. 44.

    Royston Vasey

    @Eastriver: I just watched a highlights package of the game. Looked fantastic!

    United could of got 5 or 6 (plus the Arse could of scored at least one more)!

    Anyways, in the upcoming World Cup, I’ll be following this years whipping boys – New Zealand!

    Go the All Whites!

  45. 45.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I’m half-Jewish, so I have almost but not quite black hair. It says black on my driver’s license mostly because the brown is very very subtle in it. I do have green eyes though. My mom is blond!

    I’m also home thank the Fates.

  46. 46.

    Mark S.

    This is the first time I’ve looked at the draw, and I must say it seems like they did a really good job. There doesn’t seem to be a Group of Death, like in the last Euro Cup where they put France, Italy, and the Netherlands in the same group.

    One interesting tidbit: no European team has won the World Cup when it’s been hosted outside of Europe. So I’m picking Brazil (even though Argentina has the best player in the world, they always seem to choke).

  50. 50.

    Awktalk

    On a completely selfish note, I will be in Johannasburg and Durbin this summer. At the following matches:

    netherlands v. japan on june 19
    brazil v. irovy coast on the 20th
    nigeria v. south korea on the 22nd
    ghana v. germany on the 23rd
    then the winner of group b and the 2nd place of group A

    Hit me up if you have tics to any of these matches. [email protected]

  51. 51.

    PalGirl2008

    I have been lurking for ages ( a survivor from GOS)

    and this post finally broken the lurking habit

    huge football fan( never going to call it soccer…sorry)

    fan of Italy in Europe

    Egypt in Africa
    Brazil

    and the USA

    can’t wait for the world cup…welcome

  52. 52.

    mcd410x

    Imagine the nationwide consternation if the US take a point in that first match. Ah, the English tears would be sweet. So sweet.

  53. 53.

    Andy K

    I’m predicting Spain to win it, though if Brazil wins it it will be a lot less than shocking. Slightly darker horses are Italy (see: Brazil) and England (I’m with you, Randinho, they haven’t got great keepers).

    If the Netherlands can actually win their first game of the knockout stage they can go a long way. But that’s a GREAT BIG IF. The Oranje always look like world-beaters in the group stage in any tournament, then choke it all away once they get to the knockout.

    Argentina….Man, what a talented squad. What a horrible gaffer. If someone in Argentina is smart, they’ll plant an eight-ball on Diego. I can’t imagine an interim coach could do worse.

  54. 54.

    southpaw

    In light of the name . . . if you could say something unkind about libertarians, it would go quite a long way.

  56. 56.

    Royston Vasey

    @mcd410x: Nate Silver rates England at 82% of progressing to the next round, and the US at 48%.

    I would of thought a draw (England (Ranked 3rd) nervous, USA (Ranked 15) up for it) would be about right.

    New Zealand (Ranked 89th) are rated at 8%
    doh!

  57. 57.

    Comrade Kevin

    Hey Randy! I first saw you over at Marc Cooper’s blog, read Beautiful Horizons, good to see that JC asked you to post some stuff here! Cock-punch Woody for me, eh, and say hi to Reg!

    That out of the way…

    ARSEnal? West Ham, man, and Glentoran!

  58. 58.

    furioso ateo

    Hey this is great. But do you think maybe you could do a primer on the state of the World Cup? Just kind of an overview of the teams, who’s favored, anticipated match-ups, etc. Or just point to a resource that provides it. I’m only a casual football fan, so I have trouble following the conversation.

  63. 63.

    Jeff Fecke

    I’m hoping the recent unpleasantness with the English squad (not UK — you’ll have some angry Scotsmen after you if you make that mistake) will have the Three Lions in disarray when Team USA comes a-callin’. I have a hunch that this year could be the year when America finally, finally makes a run (okay, they did in 2002, but nobody saw it because all the games were on at four in the morning.)

    That said, I’m not betting against Brazil.

  64. 64.

    Royston Vasey

    @Lab Partner: I was just saying earlier today at work, it’s like someone has flicked a switch in Nani’s head. And now he can play.

    It’s displays like this that made SAF go out and buy him in the first place. I hope his form, and Rooneys too, continue for the rest of the season…and a fourth straight title!

  65. 65.

    NobodySpecial

    I know enough about soccer to follow along slowly, so I’m glad to see this post and I’ll be happy to hit the site later when I’m not at work. As far as ‘favorite’ teams, I don’t usually have the time to follow anyone. Chicago is closest geographically, and I have an allergy to teams that look like the football equivalent of the Red Sox/Yankees/Mets. Which is a long way of saying I don’t have a favorite yet. Someday when I look around.

  66. 66.

    Lab Partner

    @Royston Vasey: I understood why SAF got Rooney – he has scored from the first game and he helps other players score. And he’s only gotten better at it. But it’s been frustrating waiting for Nani’s good game. Today Nani was definitely good (except for the crybaby act when he was stepped on – yeah, he was back on the field seconds later) but is someone going to flip the switch back off tomorrow? I wouldn’t bet against it.

  68. 68.

    Thlayli

    I think South Korea got away with murder in 2oo2.

    Was it the ref’s fault Bobo Vieri couldn’t hit the side of a barn?

  69. 69.

    sashal

    I am a Chelsey guy .
    As for the WC, i’d love to see great games, which i expect to see from Netherlands, Serbia, Spain , Argentina and Cameroon.

    I will be rooting for Spain and Netherlands

  70. 70.

    Attaturk

    I’ve become a casual fan of the “Beautiful Game” (you can tell I’m a casual fan because I throw the pretentious shit like that around) over the last four years or so.

    I enjoy watching the EPL on Saturday mornings because I enjoy the constantly singing crowds at the games…plus, it was great when ESPN2 started showing the early games in Hi-Def — soccer like all outdoor sports is improved immensely in 720p and 5.1 sound.

    Now after a time I’ve learned to dispense with my American pretenses and accept there’s something compelling about a game where scoring is so difficult and at such a premium.

    Like all pretentious fans (see above) I divide my loyalties into cheering for one of the top 4 (Chelsea, though in actuality anyone that ISN’T ManU) and then picking one less successful but lovable club (Stoke).

  73. 73.

    Randy Paul

    Re: South Korea. I’ll agree with you about Vieri, but Totti did not deserve a second yellow.

    South Korea led the tournament in fouls. They scored eight goals in 7 games. The USA scored 7 goals in five games. Color me unimpressed.

  74. 74.

    Chris Cunningham

    As a Scot and a Rangers fan it pleases me no end that Algeria and the US will both have Rangers players in their WC squads. There will be an awful lot of honorary Americans round these parts come June.

    I’m really rooting for the US. They’re a spirited team who play like they have something to prove. Gutted about how the Confederations Cup turned out. A few months playing in a proper league will do Donovan the world of good, hopefully Dempsey’s recovery will go well and Howard is a hell of a keeper.

    – Chris

  75. 75.

    SRW1

    Some decent choices in terms of the teams you’re rooting for, Randinho, except Kaiserslautern in Germany. They’ve been 2nd division for the last four years and haven’t done anything of note since their surprise win of the German championship in 1998.

  76. 76.

    Gotta Ask Why

    I didn’t read this blog all weekend and now that I’ve come back to this, I can officially state that my week has started off right as my worlds have officially collided… Welcome Randinho, I haven’t read your blog yet but from your team choices, you are obviously one who enjoys the aesthetics of the game. I’m looking forward to your posts and oh yeah…Gooner be proud!

  80. 80.

    carlos the dwarf

    Randinho, thank you for bringing one of my favorite things [football] to another [BJ]. Welcome!

  81. 81.

    Sarcastro

    They’ve been 2nd division for the last four years and haven’t done anything of note since their surprise win of the German championship in 1998.

    So? I can’t speak for the original poster, but as far as I’m concerned only a mook switches teams when the going gets tough.

    That said, come on Aachen! 1.FCK posts a loss or a tie today and my boys from the Reeperbahn will be in sole possession of 1st in the 2nd Bundesliga. Woot, St. Pauli!

  82. 82.

    Ted the Slacker

    Randy, (or should that be Randinho?)

    I’m a South African by birth, and can give you plenty of background on the host nation if you’re interested. Next time you post on your own blog, I’ll smuggle my contact details to you.

    Ps. On paper, Spain are head, shoulders, chest, stomach and balls above everyone else. The road to glory runs through this team, and no-one else looks anywhere close equipped to beat them.

  83. 83.

    SRW1

    So? I can’t speak for the original poster, but as far as I’m concerned only a mook switches teams when the going gets tough.

    I’d give you that, but only for your first team at heart (Go VfB!!), not so much for clubs you may have developed an interest for along the way. For example, at the beginning of the 80s I lived in the UK for a year when Villa and Ipswich were the big cheese. If I’d want to see a good game in England these days my first choice definitely wouldn’t be Ipswich (which is a bit like Kaiserslautern). Villa might be OK, but why not go for the good stuff and watch a team like Arsenal.

  84. 84.

    luc

    Randinho,
    how did you get stuck with the 1.FC Kaiserslautern? A small town club which has mostly produced financial crises in the last decade – because of their one Brazilian on the team?

  88. 88.

    Royston Vasey

    @SRW1: Ipswich, like so many other teams (Derby, Forest, Leicester, QPR etc), have slid down the league tables of late. Some of them have made a comeback (hello Stoke, maybe Forest next season) to the top division.

    However, da Villa have been a consistent top 10 team for a while now. This season is proving that they handle it with the big boys to.

  89. 89.

    morzer

    @Randy Paul:

    So, dial down the silly rhetoric about South Korea getting away with murder. Call them lucky, if you like, although it’s a pretty sour grapes approach. I hope your discussions in future are going to be more reasonable and fact-based.

  90. 90.

    Randy Paul

    They got with murder against Spain.

    As for being reasonable and fact-based, consider what you wrote:

    Having watched every game South Korea played in 2002, I can say only that Randy is simply delusional.

    Pot, kettle black

  93. 93.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    I’m a Arsenal and Boca Juniors man myself. Though I think Argentina will stink up the joint in CapeTown, whoever thought that Maradona would make a good coach needs to be flogged, and forced to coach in Togo, forever.

  94. 94.

    LondonLee

    You had me until you said you were an Arsenal fan.

    Chelsea!

    Carefree, wherever you may be
    Don’t trust your wife
    With John Terry

  95. 95.

    morzer

    @Randy Paul:

    Another non-response, yet again relying on assertion, rather than fact. Hopefully, you’ll grow to understand that sloppy prejudice is not the same thing as analysis. So far, your performance has been underwhelming.

  96. 96.

    Attaturk

    Stoke at Sunderland on ESPN2 a scoreless snooze-fest 70 minutes in — I hope no American decided to check out the other football today. This game has all the elements of the stereotypical bad professional game, not only no scoring, but virtually no action.

  97. 97.

    Randy Paul

    Hopefully, you’ll grow to understand that sloppy prejudice is not the same thing as analysis.

    Please spare me the condescension. I acknowledged it as a bias, but the fact that they barely averaged a goal per game and led the tournament fouls is not prejudice, but thoughtful analysis.

    I’ll gladly acknowledge their fitness, but breaking down their games, they played brilliantly against Poland, could not convert a penalty to beat the US, finally scored against nine man Portugal, missed another PK against Italy, won in extra time against ten, beat Spain on PK’s after an egregious call by the assistant ref, played Germany ultradefensively and got their heads handed to them by Turkey. I stand by what I said.

    Please don’t come by and insult me again.

  98. 98.

    Charvakan

    Arsenal forever. They’re just too small and too fragile to win the EPL this year. Gunner fans are still behind Wenger (in Arsene we trust, but Campbell?!?) and while I felt Sunday’s game like a dagger in the chest, if they finish top four and make a decent ECL run this year, I will not be terribly unhappy. Yes, it was a killer to lose RvP just when he was in the form of his life (curse you, Chiellini, for that pointless tackle in a friendly), but injuries are a fact of life and Arsenal has a huge squad. They have been fortunate that Gallas and Vermaelen have been mostly healthy–what are their options, especially with Senderos on loan?

    Anyway, DC United is my MLS team (I live there); Juve, Roma, and Fiorentina; Barca; Dortmund, Wolfsburg, and Leverkusen; Boca Juniors; UNAM Pumas; Celtic; PSG. Internationally, it’s US, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, England, Portugal, Spain, in that order.

    No one who saw the 2002 WC can doubt that Both South Korea and Japan were the beneficiaries of some truly shocking officiating, especially from the linesmen. The hosts always get the calls, but this was ridiculous. Nothing against the Koreans, who played very well and very hard, just the way the game should be played. But they weren’t really good enough to make it that far.

    I fear 2010 is going to be another embarrassing year for US football. It’s bad when your best players are all goalies. Donovan and Dempsey are good players, but aren’t going to carry any teams on their backs. We’ve got some solid defensive midfielders and the back four is adequate, so the opponents are unlikely to get so many goals that we’re out of a game early. But I can’t imagine who on our squad is going to make and finish scoring chances. If we get three goals in 2010 I’ll be pleasantly surprised; more, delighted.

    Italy worries me. Buffon is looking ordinary this season. Their strikers seem to be either too old/hurt (del Piero, Totti), too moody (Toni), or too flaky (Balotelli) to play well for 90 minutes. I was deliriously happy with the 2006 campaign, but Italy were amazingly lucky and needed every trick in the book to get by a superior French team.

    Speaking of France, can they overcome the weird circumstance of their qualification? It’s not as though Ireland would have automatically gone had Henry not handled that ball. There was more time to play, and potentially extra time and even PKs. They were hard done by, but they let France get an away goal and it killed them.

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