Explaining the World Cup (and FIFA) to Americans

[Gonzo 419]

Maybe some board members should read up a bit, how hard it can be to qualify for a WC, not just the one in Brazil 2014, which makes it the only true word game.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Well done to USA for getting into the next round. They are minnows in football despite being a world power. We need to send some good coaches to China and India now as they are still crap if the Asian Cup is any guide.

[Gonzo 419]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification

[Gonzo 419]

For the followers of the Brazil WC 2014 and there must be a couple of billion, the draw of for the last 16 in the tournament this weekend will be:

 

Sat.28.June Brazil - Chille

Sat 28. June Uruguay- Columbia

 

Sun 29 June Holland - Mexico

Sun 29 June Costa Rica - Greece

 

Mon 30 June France - Nigeria

Mon 30. June Germany - Algeria

 

Tues 1.July Argentina - Switzerland

Tues 1.July Belgium - USA .

Edited June 28, 2014 by Gonzo

[nkped 1,208]

For a bit of an antidote to the video in the OP, which I enjoyed greatly, watch this from Keith Obermann. Obermann is a talking head for ESPN in the US and a bit of a professional troll, but he actually makes some (semi)serious points. It's only seven minutes. You could probably sum up with "The soccer game was played on the field and the final score was one-zero."

 

Edited July 2, 2014 by nkped

[mrlasvegas 124]

 

If American Football is so great then why isn't it a global sport?

 

And before you accuse me of being a softy "soccer" lover I prefer Rugby to "soccer" which is a hell of a lot more of a physical game then American Football.

I actually like Rugby as well. Some Australians started a league in Las Vegas sponsored by a popular local British pub. Rather fun to play like soccer for that matter. But I can watch rugby as well.

[mrlasvegas 124]

 

 

Why on earth compare football (soccer) to American football? You might as well compare it to table tennis - there's nothing similar between the two sports at all. Different equipment used, different physique required, different numbers on the team, different length of play, different rules.

 

 

KM

Areas of influence. Mexico is closer to the US than Europe. So we should have a shot at influencing them. Given the average height and that weight training is not that popular in old Mexico, they are stuck with futbol Europa. Just got back from my quarterly Mexico run. They are still ticked off about that last game.

[mrlasvegas 124]

 

If American Football is so great then why isn't it a global sport?

 

And before you accuse me of being a softy "soccer" lover I prefer Rugby to "soccer" which is a hell of a lot more of a physical game then American Football.

Simple reason. American football like Canadian hockey has too many cost restrictions.American football just at the secondary school level is very costly. As much as few thousand USD per player in equipment for a season. The training and field conditioning equipment alone is pricey. Then include weight rooms. Soccer is rather simple to play. And very cheap. Find an adequate patch of dirt. Mark off the boundaries. Some construction debris if you are in a poor country to make a goal or proper soccer nets if you are in a wealthy country. You got soccer. I have played it barefoot on the beach in Bali many times. In a pinch you can create soccer anywhere. As atlas said, anyone can play. And realistically at least at the recreational level there is no reason that it can't be played well into ones 60's. It would be a good thing to reduce the number of overweight kids and adults.

[mrlasvegas 124]

 

 

On reflection, (sour as this post is), I think it should be conceded to MLV that there are aspects of the game that I wish had not become so established. And it might be these aspects that have coloured MLV's view….Namely the theatrical reaction to the gentlest of tackles in the hope of conning the Ref into giving a free kick or handing out a booking. It's become expected that players will drop to the floor and writhe in pain if a finger brushes against a cheek nowadays, and so all teams do it to some degree. Ironically I think the macho latin Americans and the European 'latin' countries led the way in this.

 

This aspect together with the tugging of shirts and arguing with referees are bloody annoying to my generation who can remember a time when it wasn't so prevalent. And criticisms that lovers of football must accept.

I found the injuries quite entertaining. That so many injuries even exist shows that the sport is in dire need of some new trainers.Some standard weight training could alleviate the majority of that.. And maybe a bit of peripheral vision.

[Gonzo 419]

I found the injuries quite entertaining. That so many injuries even exist shows that the sport is in dire need of some new trainers.Some standard weight training could alleviate the majority of that.. And maybe a bit of peripheral vision.

Your absence from the "proper football" thread until now has been greatly missed. The 207 countries from the FIFA confederation are wrong. American football is the best "football" game by a country mile and it's a shame most kids cannot afford to play the game, as it is too costly how to learn how to play the game. Brazil spent 12 billion dollars on the World Cup. I have been to Bali more than 50 times. It was my home away from home for many years. I only saw very few very young kids kicking a football around. Most local youngsters and visitors are mostly into surfing. Are you still shuffling cards in Las Vegas, or are you back to teaching kids in Rayong a bit of English for 25K baht pay per month. Thanks for red carding me. You are welcome to do that as often as you like.

[mrlasvegas 124]

Your absence from the "proper football" thread until now has been greatly missed. The 207 countries from the FIFA confederation are wrong. American football is the best "football" game by a country mile and it's a shame most kids cannot afford to play the game, as it is too costly how to learn how to play the game. Brazil spent 12 billion dollars on the World Cup. I have been to Bali more than 50 times. It was my home away from home for many years. I only saw very few very young kids kicking a football around. Most local youngsters and visitors are mostly into surfing. Are you still shuffling cards in Las Vegas, or are you back to teaching kids in Rayong a bit of English for 25K baht pay per month. Thanks for red carding me. You are welcome to do that as often as you like.

When I was married and living in Jakarta my now ex's family has a beach house at Kuta. There are pick up games on that beach in the evening. 12 billion on a "professional sport". Big difference from my explanation of soccer's popularity.Try to keep up.I have never shuffled cards in Vegas. Never taught ESL in Rayong. Did teach in Bangkok. Never for 25k either.

[MM 6,562]

Gonzo, wrong Vegas.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[atlas2 4,329]

I found the injuries quite entertaining. That so many injuries even exist shows that the sport is in dire need of some new trainers.Some standard weight training could alleviate the majority of that.. And maybe a bit of peripheral vision.

 

 

I agree with everything except points 1,2/3 and 4.

 

1. By 'injuries,' I'll assume you mean the falling over whenever a vacuum cleaner bumps against the telly and not the real thing. So I'll let you off that one.

 

2/3…..If you don't think Footballer's boots, (not trainers) aren't subject to constant development, supported by millions and millions of dollars to edge out rival companies……then?…….Well then you'd be the sort of person who'd think footballers don't undertake highly specialised weight training to condition and strengthen their bodies to minimise injury, particularly to their legs.

 

4. Can't really rehearse a reasoned and informed comment for my instinctive disagreement here and hope the lazy but expressive emoticon….' ' suffices.

 

Please don't take the criticism too much to heart……..I'm sure I'd be equally hopeless commenting on that game of football played with the hands.

 

Have a good J4.

Edited July 4, 2014 by atlas2

[nkped 1,208]

 

 

 

 

2/3…..If you don't think Footballer's boots, (not trainers) aren't subject to constant development, supported by millions and millions of dollars to edge out rival companies……then?…….Well then you'd be the sort of person who'd think footballers don't undertake highly specialised weight training to condition and strengthen their bodies to minimise injury, particularly to their legs.

 

 

For my fellow Americans, think cleats. For us, "boots" conjures some bizarre images if the sport in question is soccer/footie.

Edited July 4, 2014 by nkped

[atlas2 4,329]

For my fellow Americans, think cleats. For us, "boots" conjures some bizarre images if the sport in question is soccer/footie.

 

 

OK I'll get rid of that with a 'rubber'

 

I just got out my 'American to Thai into English dictionary' …..The girls have been saying, 'I'm not much of a cleat' I thought they were saying 'clot' I took it as a complement……OMG!

Edited July 4, 2014 by atlas2

[jacko 8,822]

For my fellow Americans, think cleats. For us, "boots" conjures some bizarre images if the sport in question is soccer/footie.

Cleats are bits that go onto boots......like studs or lumps in the tread.

[atlas2 4,329]

Cleats are bits that go onto boots......like studs or lumps in the tread.

 

Thank you for, 'putting-the-boot-into my 'joke'……..God I might have to explain or change…..'Putting-the-boot-in' now.

[nkped 1,208]

For my fellow Americans, think cleats. For us, "boots" conjures some bizarre images if the sport in question is soccer/footie.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BPlNY0jCcAA_Ela.jpg

[atlas2 4,329]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BPlNY0jCcAA_Ela.jpg

 

Two chaps without them, (chaps…..I explain the joke these days you see) and wearing 'sheep-shaggers'………..I see your confusion.

 

But do you all really insist that we must use your expressions for the game and in the language we gave you?

 

OK I'll go along with it for today. But you have to promise to sing 'Get you're fix on rout 66' You can't have it both ways!

[nkped 1,208]

 

Two chaps without them, (chaps…..I explain the joke these days you see) and wearing 'sheep-shaggers'………..I see your confusion.

 

But do you all really insist that we must use your expressions for the game and in the language we gave you?

 

OK I'll go along with it for today. But you have to promise to sing 'Get you're fix on rout 66' You can't have it both ways!

Oh, heavens no, I was mostly (partly?) translating for my compatriots. Another guy on the ESPN staff, while agreeing with Obermann, said that when the NFL plays its annual game in London, the UK media is perfectly welcome to say that it was a match being played on the pitch.

[atlas2 4,329]

Back on topic…….The World Cup has shown that the shoe is on the other foot as regards to who exactly needs the game explained to them…..The English I'm afraid.

[Gonzo 419]

Gonzo, wrong Vegas.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

They sound very much alike. No wonder his wife left him, with his hatred of football and always comparing it with American football, an entirely different sport. Indonesians love football, just like they do in Thailand and just about in every other country in the world. He is obsessed with his hatred of football, but seems to watch every game in this World Cup and I wonder why.