General World Cup Observations

[Orgoner]

I have quite a few, but will see if others have similar observations or gripes before boring everyone senseless.

1) Hydration breaks are simply an excuse to run adverts here. A couple of times they have over-run and the game has restarted. Grrrr.

2) it seems as if FIFA must have a directive where socks are not allowed to have the holes that seem fashionable for some playing in the PL Socks are only there to hold up the ridiculously small shin pads that are worn at the moment.

3) I understand why corners should be checked for the benefit of the defending team, but if an error has been made the other way, why not correct that too. Bonkers!

There are more? I am, by nature, a bit of a picky so and so.

[Orgoner]

Probably should have known the second one: there is a FIFA directive already in place forbidding the cutting of socks. It just has not been strictly enforced up to now.

They should still wear appropriate shinpads!

[whitestomper45]

Yes the Hydration break deffo for adverts. I think there was a proposal before about extra breaks from USA when last hostingWC.
I like the fact the yellow card was reviewed but agree does take up time.
It seems ridiculous the ref has to run over to a screen to watch a TV screen to review. Why can?t they have a smart phone where he can quickly review, use TV if not sure from watching on phone.

[Orgoner]

A fan of the five second count to get throw ins into play. That said, a fair number have been foul by the letter of the law.

[Orgoner]

Beckham seems to feature in about half of the adverts here.

Amongst others: Lays (crisps), Stella, Bank of America, Home Depot (DIY chain).

[Orgoner]

"Build it like Beckham"

[Orgoner]

Most of the studio pundits here are wearing suits with bright white trainers.

Gimps.

[Billyni]

Hydration break = total wuss/pussie

If it’s introduced here, then the game is gone forever.

[WTF11]

Hydration break = total wuss/pussie

If it’s introduced here, then the game is gone forever.

As with the majority of "things" that emanate from the USA that have an overt commercial thrust, a focus on profit as opposed to some kind of excellence (cerebral, physical, etc etc), this World Cup will go down in history as the sh1tt1est sequence of commercial exploitation of "the beautiful game" in footballing history.

We all accept that football, at least in the professional arena, is now much more a business than a sport, but there has at least been the pretence of sporting achievement being pre-eminent, until now. Anything and everything is "sponsored", bought and paid for by commercial organisation with little (or no) interest in the achievements on the pitch, the kind of minor miracle that sees Cape Verde draw against previous Wold Cup winners, only what the numbers are and how to maximise the investment in advertising minutes.

I've watched 9 matches, with a total of 16 minutes worth of play in total. I'm done with it. My allotment, with all the slugs and the incessant rainfall and/or blazing sun is (literally) a world away and its a genuine pleasure to eradicate from my consciousness any and all thoughts of football, a game I have played and enjoyed, a game that has given me great pleasure as a spectator and supporter of LUFC, a game that has brought genuine joy and pleasure to tens of millions over many decades, now prostituted by club owners and national and international footballing authorities at the alter of profit and commercial greed.

Shame on them. Shame on them all.

[Monaco_Totty]

What's with the pink football boots & studs all the teams are wearing, maybe good to catch the cameras eye but all the manufacturers of Nike, Puma, New Balance & Skechers have monopolised the colour - defo a no for me.

Ronaldo is wearing Gold ones apparently ! 😬

[WTF11]

What's with the pink football boots & studs all the teams are wearing, maybe good to catch the cameras eye but all the manufacturers of Nike, Puma, New Balance & Skechers have monopolised the colour - defo a no for me.

Ronaldo is wearing Gold ones apparently ! 😬

And THAT's the most significant matter concerning one of the folks here who is most respected? Speaks volumes.

[Orgoner]

What's with the pink football boots & studs all the teams are wearing, maybe good to catch the cameras eye but all the manufacturers of Nike, Puma, New Balance & Skechers have monopolised the colour - defo a no for me.

Ronaldo is wearing Gold ones apparently ! 😬

I had a quick look online and one of the pink Nike offerings retails at $420.

Parents beware!

[whitestomper45]

What's with the pink football boots & studs all the teams are wearing, maybe good to catch the cameras eye but all the manufacturers of Nike, Puma, New Balance & Skechers have monopolised the colour - defo a no for me.

Ronaldo is wearing Gold ones apparently ! 😬

I too was thinking on this (fill yer bootd WTF) why so many playing in pink boots, it all just blends into blandness... Only the officials seem to still wear the old fashion black (my fave)
I remember the Alan Ball white boots and George Best Black/Purple matchmakers with the side laces back in the day

[whitestomper45]

Probably should have known the second one: there is a FIFA directive already in place forbidding the cutting of socks. It just has not been strictly enforced up to now.

They should still wear appropriate shinpads?

Doku had the holes in socks.... The whole hole in sock thing seems at odds with runners/anyone with poor circulation and compression socks..

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Been pleasantly surprised by the refs not falling for a lot of play acting and allowing more robust challenges.

The other thing that is noticeable is the quality of the so called weaker team. They are largely all fit, well coached and have good set ups - especially defensively.

Crowds seem to be pretty good and there are some really impressive stadia on display.

There do seem to be an awful lot of games though and will be interested to see the turnover generated from the event as a whole.