Arangnee! Don't come up with stuff like so and so didn't play well hadhow. Meeshaad Brazil kula culoowday anigu garan maayo, laakin they are a decent side. Don't fall for the European propaganda of 'it is not the Brazil we know, the flair blah blah'. Waxay rabaan in koox bilaa difaac ah oo weerar uun qaada meesha la keeno deedna ay ka badiyaan. Now they have already posted on BBC "Is Argentina the new Brazil?". Edit- See this Arg Bloggers summary. I agree with him. My feedback after the game! Negative points: - We used tactics from the 80’s : we defended with only 7 players (which cost us important defeats recently and the 2006 elimination) and not as a unit - Which increase our huge Mascherano dependency - Jonas Gutierrez decreases the quality of our defence: the confidence of our central defence has been affected today, as expected. - On/off collective link between the 5 players behind and the 5 upfront - Individualism - Jonas suspended for the next game which won’t allow him to get more used to the right back position Positive points: + Only a little miracle would prevent us to qualify! + We have one the most impressive strikeforce ever, we could’ve win 10-1 + Free-kicks + Confidence upfront: Higuain +3, Messi the best in the world, Aguero + Maradona’s attitude towards De Michelis, a great motivator And I know what that means.

loooooooooool@Brazil will play defensively against Ivory coast. Obviously you didn't hear what Kalou said last night (we have to defend against Brazil like North Korea). Waryaa Tuujiye, Dunga's team is already a defensive team which relies on counter-attack. it is shame teams are not attacking them because that is when the do the demolition job best. But expect Ivory coast to mass their goal rely on counter-attack. Which makes the game more interesting. But no doubt about the result. Brazil will win. lool Maradona wuu waalan yahay. When ajournalist asked him how he feels when he kisses his players, 'EL loco'(tje crazy one) said, "Well I still prefer women. I am dating Veronica who is blond and 31-years-old." nin rag ah dheh! Maradona waa genius, people think he is crazy, laakin he is not.

I am sorry but those who think Germany and Argentina can go far will be shocked. As it appears Argentina will play Mexico and will be beaten. Uruguay will beat South Korea and advance to the quaerter-finals. Only three teams are good enough to win this cup. Brazil, Holland and Spain. And Spain might not even qualify from the group stage. So far no South American team has lost a game. all indications are this cup is heading to South America. And with Argentina and Uruguay not good enough, that leaves Brazil as the lone favourites. Even more so now that their boggey side France are out. Serbia will beat Germany today. ZonalMarking's summary of Argentina: Brilliant attacking play will get the headlines, but the longer-term story is that Argentina will be ripped apart by decent sides unless they improve their defence.

Nigeria wil not qualify even if they win today. South Korea for second place. Xoog iyo feedh-feedh ayey africa ku jabtaa siduu Allamagan sheegay. Greece got one back. They will win this game.

AllaMagan, I am talking about recent encounters where Brazil took the role of defensive team and Aregntina plays well but succumbs to counter-attacks. The tables are turned this time. On the names, there is also Isniino and Axado!

Norf, sorry I checked the overall. It is a tie. 33-33 with 23 draws. But from june 2006, it is 3-0 in favour of the Yellow. (with a goal tally of 9-1 for brazil). Ngonge, those names are not uncommon here. The security guy in my office is called Shame Magunda. The following names are used: Prudence Love Addmore Anti-malaria Forget Shame Surprise DearLove (he fixs internet at home for me markuu iga xumaado). Blessing Myway etc etc Jeolous Laakin ilaa hadda waxaan la yaabay Shame, iyo Anti-Malaria kuwa caruurtooda u bixiyey.

Very good question Norf. Here are the one's I remember. 1978 Brazil 1-Argentina 1 1982 Brazil 3- Arentina 1 1990 Brazil 0-Argentina 1 But in the head to head count Brazil leads by 36 to 32 something like that. Imagine most of the Aregies victory is in the Copa America. But what counts is in the last four years, they met about 5 times and except one draw Argentina were beaten by two goals margin in the other fout encounters. Edit- actually the fifa website says it is 2 -1 to Brazil and 2 draws. Argentina 3 goals -Brazil 5 in the world cup each other.

For Norf, please see this video of the last 5 encountetrs between Bra and Argentina. Kolkaa sharad ma ila dhigan if they meet in Argentina ay badin? There were times when this guys used to frighten me, but nowadays meher unbaan lagu xidhin mooye Brazil ayaa qabta.

I am dying for a Brazil- Argentina encounter. This Argentina side is weaker than the ones trounced by Dunga's men in the last three encounters.

The result masks big defensive problems Argentina has. They will get a rude awekening in the round of 16 or QFs.

England will struggle tomorrow. Algeria are known to up their game for big occassions. We can predict the result but an upset may be on the offing. Unless the Desert men resort to their indiscipline and get men sent off!

Telephone miyaad tidhi? Bahalkaas dhib badan ayaa naga hayastaa because of cost. haweenku hadal badanaaa horta?

I have to concede I respect ZonalMarking. They are experts. From what little I saw, they not only analyse games after it all happens and gives TOMMY SMMTH 'I told you' kind of analysis, but they forcast how teams are likely to play each other with accuracy. Waa macalimiin. School'kaa Tuujiye iyo Norf iyo macal Nuune'han bilashka Moderator'ka u ah ha lagu daro! Bob isagu iskuul uma baahna ee waa in jinkan Angola ka soo raacay ee ciyaartooyga madoow baalasha ugu yeela laga cuudiyo!

haa, ma PalTalk buu jeedaa?

Not because A&T thinks, but because Dunga thinks. I reckon he will play better than Kaka if he comes in. Also I remember he played very well in all of the teams I saw him playing for. He is a good player. That is why he was bought by Real, Arsenal and Roma (all great teams) not Wigan, Esbanyol etc adeer. Ngone, I have only seen ZonalMarking today and was amazed. I read Brazil team blog and someone posted a link of it. I now know that all that you have been saying was not from your own observation. Let us not bring the analysis of ZM here adeer. Otherwise, we will get disappointed because we will miss the 'waxay-ila-tahay' analysis of Nuune, Tuujiye and Norf.

You don't have to expect him to light up now! He has already done that in the Copa America, in the Qualifiers and in the Confederations cup as well as all friendlies he played for Brazil. He was one player who was never in doubt of missing out from the squad. And I don't think Dunga inuu laaluushay. The guy has talent,but maybe it clicks with plays who play like the brazil national team. Also Dunga was asked why he picked him when he is a sub at Roma. Dunga's answer was that he is being kept at the bench only because there is " a player named Totti who Roma who Roma worships". Something to that line. Markaa dee if you haven't watched, waa u maleeynayaa inaga daa.

Maadeeey, adigaa war hayaba. TalkTalk waa maxay? Serenity, The title is supposed to be written by the story-teller and reflects his point of view. It doesn't necessary mean the reader will conclude so after reading the story and the glaringly obvious defects of the man.

Agree on the last sentence, but Brazil will only get better in the coming two group games. Your sentence about Baptista is what worries me about you. Why do you think Baptista is not good in Brazil? Because he is on the bench for Roma, I know. That is your problem. If you have been watching the qualifiers and friendlies, Baptista played extremely well and the team played with a better rhythm each time he came on. Again, I am asking you to stop looking at Player's club form to judge how they will fare at the national team. Surely you must have watched Torres last night! By the way, the Spanish's problem was lack of width in their game. Once Navas come on and started to go wide, the Swiss started to run out of ideas. I am confident the coach will start with him in the next game.

Brother Norf, read this for a a better understanding of why Brazil's struggle against NK was not a surprise to many, and to me. Brazil 2-1 North Korea: Exactly what we expected June 16, 2010 A good game in both tactical and entertainment terms – North Korea defended resolutely and their front two showed their technical quality, but Brazil’s patience was rewarded in the second half. Firstly, it’s never nice when websites blow their own trumpets, but you can be assured that this is actually a vuvuzela ZM is blowing on: “With Brazil playing mainly on the counter-attack, and Portugal and Ivory Coast playing systems that rely on pace, North Korea’s ultra-defensive style could frustrate teams early in games – you can imagine one of their opponents struggling to break them down early on, and going in 0-0 at half-time – whether North Korea will be able to defend resolutely for 90 minutes against a top-quality side is doubtful, however.” (here) “Don’t be surprised if Brazil quietly fight their way to World Cup victory. They’ll keep the ball, tire the opposition but not look particularly dangerous. Then, late in the game, they’ll break at speed, rely on the skill of Kaka and Robinho, and win games comfortably without thrashing the opposition”. (here) That essentially tells the story of how the game developed, hopefully demonstrating that studying the tactical characteristics of individual sides is a worthwhile exercise. British television broadcasters acted like the scoreline was a shock to the world, when in fact the pattern of the game was logical when considering the philosophy and strategy of Brazil and North Korea. The line-ups Brazil set out as expected, with Elano getting the nod over Ramires for the right-sided midfield position. Indeed, the Brazil team was actually set out with the numbers 1-11 on their backs, nice to see in the age of squad numbers. North Korea’s side featured one change from the predicted side, with Nam Song-Chol making way for Pak Chon Jin on the right-hand side of defence. This was a crucial role, as the freest defender. They maintained their usual formation, a five-man defence with a defensive midfielder just ahead, and the wing-backs got forward increasingly as the game went on. The general pattern Brazil struggled to break down the North Korean defence because their system and strategy is based around playing on the counter-attack. They keep possession brilliantly, but can look slightly out of ideas when they get to the final third against teams playing ultra-defensively. It’s in situations like this when you can understand the Brazilian public’s frustration about the use of too many functional players and not enough creators – Melo and Gilberto were possibly doing too much of the same thing tonight. That said, credit must go for Dunga for persisting with the system, and to Brazil for having the patience to keep on playing short, neat passes across the pitch until they eventually found a way through. A less talented (or less confident) side would have started to hit longer passes into the penalty area, especially with Luis Fabiano a decent target man and towering over the North Korean defenders. Brazil were outnumbered whenever they attack, because of North Korea’s five-man defence that became a six-man defence when Yong Hak-An followed Kaka deep. Fabiano found it difficult because he was up against three defenders by himself, whilst Robinho and Elano both found wing-backs tracking them when they moved into attacking areas, and the Korean defenders were happy for Gilberto and Melo to have the ball in the centre. North Korea's shape took on a 5-3-2 shape when not in possession, making it difficult for Brazil to break them down That didn’t mean that those two players were encouraged the ball by the Koreans. Their two front players, Hong-Yong Jo and Jong Tae-Se, looked to drop in front of the Brazilian holding midfielders, making it slightly more difficult for the centre-backs to play the ball forward towards them. Full-backs key As one would expect against a 5-3-1-1, the Brazilian full-backs were completely free, and the breakthrough was always likely to come from one of them. The surprising thing about Dunga’s instructions tonight was that he didn’t push Maicon and Michel Bastos further forward – they were constantly free, and creating an overload on the flanks looked the best way to make the breakthrough. Amongst their few goalscoring efforts in the first half were long-range shots that went close from both full-backs. This showed that they were the free players, so why not move them higher up the pitch, closer to the goal? They wouldn’t have had quite as much space, of course, but they still would have caused confusion in the Korean defence. Maicon’s goal towards the beginning of the second half demonstrated this well. Elano’s goal came from a very similar position, and it’s interesting that both the Brazilian goals came from the right-hand side, because that is the side of the pitch they work less often. There is no permanent right-winger – instead Elano and Maicon both look to exploit that space – never at the same time, because they have a good understanding when Brazil have the ball. One goes long, one comes short. One stays wide, one moves central. Robinho stays on the left and Kaka attacks towards the left – those are the two biggest threats, but can often dominate the opposition’s thoughts to the point where they’re oblivious to the threat on the right. North Korea were impressive on the way they doubled-up on Brazil’s creative players when they got the ball, but it was frantic chasing, closing down and blocking rather than a more intelligent, structured system. We should certainly admire their ability to keep a clean sheet for so long, but there’s probably only a certain amount of time they can keep that up. With the defenders constantly looking to double-up and get in line to block shots, they were prone to the ball being switched across the pitch, and both goals came from left-right balls that exposed North Korea’s ‘weak side’. Conclusion The game largely panned out as expected, with Brazil patiently passing the ball and eventually finding a way past North Korea with technical quality in the final third. Brazil’s full-backs were given too much time on the ball, and this is a good example of why 5-3-2 systems died out. North Korea traded ‘pressure on the full-backs’ for spare men at the back – probably a good strategy considering the nature of their defending, but with the talent of Bastos and Maicon, the goal was more inevitable than the half-time scoreline suggested. This was a rather good introduction to Brazil for those who have yet to see them under Dunga. They’re not the wonderful, free-flowing side they have been in previous years, but they are solid, well-organised, keep possession excellently and generally pick up wins. Whilst the specifics of the North Korean approach should not be copied because their defenders tended to be dragged around, the general defensive strategy worked well (even if it was their natural game rather than a deliberate attempt to stifle Brazil) because Brazil like to exploit space both in front and behind the opposition defence. Deny them space, and you might succeed. It’s a few times we’ve said that in this tournament. The popularity of counter-attacking football amongst the best sides has bred a fear of attacking among the weaker sides, because they leave gaps at the back. Those hoping for more goals might be disappointed – there’s little to suggest that attacking football is the best way to cause the favourites problems. And please see the link for the pictures http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/06/16/brazil-2-1-north-korea-tactics/#more-3544

Serenity, hedde the man is saying he is doing everyhting right before children come, and when they do, he is occupied with too many things kolkaa in hadalka laga yareeyo ayuu dalbadaa. It is then, the wives leave him! Juxa, Manigaa madax guguban?

This, from Sandra, may be relevant as well. Ok, I've only scanned thru Duvel's blog and the comments. I'll read them with greater attention later. What follows is a bit of a long rant, so apologies before hand. Every time a world cup comes around, those of us who KNOW the sport of football, who follow it year round and have done so for many yrs, have to endure a particular species of gloryhunting know-nothing ***** who NEVER watches the sport throughout the year, knows absolutely nothing about the sport, and only watches the world cup. What these morons know about the sport are media cliches and stereotypes only. They make snap judgments based solely on ONE game, superficial media cliches and FIFA rankings. That's it, that's all they know. They really do think that FIFA rankings are incredibly significant markers of a team's quality. In other words, their opinions are utterly UTTERLY worthless. Mind you, some of these people are smart enuf to understand certain basics. My aunt, for example, only watches the world cup and not even all of it. She's been watching them for decades. She doesn't understand much about the sport at all. But because she's watched them for so many yrs that she knows that you certainly can't judge with any solid authority how a team will progress after its first game - that teams take time to gel, to improve, settle in these tournaments. This is incredibly BASIC stuff, you don't need to be an expert to know this but unfortunately there are a lot of morons out there who don't get it. In 2006, many were enamored with Argentina and predicted they'd win the tournament - only to see them crash out in the qfs. No one were particularly impressed with Italy or France until the later stages. I hated the pre-match talking points and predictions about this game. So many were just blithely assuming NK would be a cakewalk. And yet time and time again, esp. in big tournaments like this, we've seen teams like NK prove that they're not easy to beat. Remember yrs ago NK beat Italy, ffs! Plus, Brazil went into this game knowing very little about NK. Who did know a lot about this NK team? The only thing we could assume is that they would be very defensive and would try to frustrate us. The other things we should've assumed is that, esp. given the culture of their country, they'd be highly disciplined and focused. We also knew they're a very young team which meant high levels of energy and enthusiasm. We've just seen the world champions manage only a draw against a highly defensive Paraguay. A super-attacking Argentina (with a poor defense) struggled to get just a 1-0 against Nigeria. And the great Holland? The team I enjoy watching so much, who I thought would finally break this deadlock of low scores and dreary defensive display? The team that have been scoring goals for fun, with 4, 5, 6 goals per game? Holland struggled mightily against a tough Danish defense and only managed 2 goals, 1 of which was an og. Holland were not in the least convincing in that game. The only team that's really impressed has been Germany -- and they were up against a truly woeful aging Australian side with an awful coach. The Australian team in that game was far more inferior to NK yesterday. But who knows which Australia and which NK will come out in their next game? As for Germany, it's great to come out of the blocks with such a performance but why assume they can keep that up when wc history shows that's a very rare thing to do? I've just seen a brilliant attacking Chile team creating all sorts of chances against a dogged Honduran defense and manage only 1 goal. Anyone who thinks that teams like Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany wouldn't struggle against a NK team with 9 men behind the ball doesn't understand football--end of. I really don't understand why anyone should panic. This is in fact a healthy result for us. Psychologically, what would've been a bad result would've been a thrashing scoreline v. NK because it would mask the team's weaknesses, it would make us all complacent. Firstly, it's a win. Secondly, a win against a dogged defensive team is good practice for a Brazil side that has a record of struggling against such teams. Third, the best time to get your questionable performances out of the way is in the group stages, where the coach can make changes for the rest of the tournament. Dunga learned a great deal from this game, positive and negative. He will do what he needs to do to improve our performance. The biggest thing that concerned me yesterday was the persistently and incredibly SLOW build-up in the first half -- even after it was clear that this was a pacey, strong, disciplined, focused NK team. I couldn't understand why Brazil didn't increase the tempo.

Originally posted by Khayr: Yeah the moral is - don't be such a stubborn person. Treat and talk to them like you would to kids! Ma xitaa markay ciyaalka yeeshaan ayaa sida ciyaalka loola hadlaa? Anigaa ku war celin saaxiibkeey ee wixii talo ah soo dhiiba.

No doubt few people match these gentlemen for football fervor. What they lack in football know-how, they more than make up with enthusiasm and interst. And it is my belief that this world cup would be an eye-opener to them. Bob is an old man who may have other problems but Norf and Tuujiye certainly are victims of watching too much Premier League and reading too much English Press. When a World Cup starts, it is very wrong to put too much into the hype before it. In 1982, a fantastically gifted Brazillian team went to Spain to do the 'formality' of going to the field but everyone knew they were champions in the making. In 1994, Colombia demolished Argentina 5-0 in Beuons Aires during the last days of the qualification. They were tipped as favourites to go far, as far as winning the cup. In 1974 the best footballing nation was Holland with the new found 'total football'. We know what happened in each instance. In 1954, Hungary with the impressive Puskas put 8 past West Germany in the group stages but falted when they faced the same team in few week time at the final. The world cup is also full of stories of players added to the squad at the last minute who shined, players tipped for glory who failed. No one thought Saeed Oweiran of Saudi Arabia would score one of the best goals of the entire world cup history in 1994. No one thought a team composed of Crespo, Oretga, Zenetti, Cambiasso, coached by one of the most positive coachs in the world Marcello Bielsa will go out the group stages in 2002!! So, what is the relevance of this to the three gentlemen? The relevance is that nothing can be taken for granted in a World cup, and it is very very wrong to look into which teams have the most players from bigger leagues, which teams have the most expensive squad, which player shined in a club in which global superstars played by his side. That is why it is immaterial if the entire Ivory Coast team play for Barcelona, Marseille, Liverpool and Bayern Munchen. It is immaterial if Melo and Gilberto Silva are not individually as capable as Toure and Zikora. It is immaterial if Robinho could not fit in Manchester city, and Drogba glows in the blue-wearing Chelsea. What matters is team cohesion, attitude, discipline, and motivation. What matters is football pedigree in the World Cup. And that is why only few countries have won the world cup so far. That is why Spain's failure to achieve anything in the World Cup so far will not change unless they change their methods and take one that displeases the fans but helps them. That is to understand that attacking for 60 minutes with high speed (without any thought given to saving some energy later) is only going to result in deadly 30 minutes later on when the foot refuses to oblige orders out of tiredness. I hope Tuujiye and Norf have taken useful lessons from this world cup. I don't have much hopes for Bob, for he is someone who thinks Cape Verde might show up in the next World Cup because 10 Cape Verdeans play for Maratimo and other Portugese teams! Bob's illness is serious. He needs to be put under Quran and be liberated from the evil spiritis of Elephantasis in his heart which makes him believe in people who think with their muscles like Toure and Eboue.

D/p

Bob, It is not boring, it is exciting. Biggest upset, tight North Koreans, The wit of the Professor Oscar Tabarez, the tameness of the worst coach on Earth Carlos Alberto Pererra, the chileans etc, it is exciting brother. But for your Gervinho and co, it is until Sunday. They will pack and leave too. This world cup has been an eye-opener for neophyte footie anlaysts. Club form, how many dollars a layer cost are not the best indicators of how national teams will perform. It is balance that is crucial and if Argentina think they can win a world cup with 5 super-clever strikers alone, we will see. Greece will give them a shocker. Mark my words!!! Excellent tactics from Prof. Tabarez. A man I have immense respects for. 4-3-3 and pushing the boys to their goal line. Perrera should have read this and should have adopted a more defensive approach by closing down Suarez. But he is Parerra. never reads a game, never alters tactics. Waxaan ninkan ka quustay 2006 with Brazil. When they won in 1994, everyone knew it was Zagallo's team.