The report I read didn't mention gambling at all. I suspect this could be the case. It's hard to imagine someone in China would be so emotionally attached to a foreign soccer team (although it was my twisted way to psych up arno_ed ). But then again you never know crazy people out there ...
Did you hear Huang JianXiang, a CCTV sports commentator, at the end of the Italy-Australia game? It's bizzar. You can prob find it on yourtube.
Here it is...can't tell a thing he is saying but boy does he sound pissed and not happy at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzGMTD4ZufQ&search=Huang JianXiang Anyone care to translate
There are some links in the comments to that video. The guy supposedly hates Australia and was a commentator for Serie A for a long time.
France was the better team in that match. See, lots of people jump onto Spain's bandwagon after 4 nil win against Ukrain, but I was reluctant to bet on them. They were always the ladybug in the world cup critical games. Good teams need to peak at right time in the world cup, maybe except Brazil. So for that reason, I am not betting on Germany either. The win against Sweden was too easy and frankly I dont see a destined championship team in this Germany squad. The opponent was weaker and down 10 to man, but still gave a pretty fight. Not that impressed with Germany. I was worried about Argentina because of that 6 nil win, but they got that ugly win against Mexico, and now they know better about themselves. Same was true for Spain. The French team has big names, but they are aging. I dont necessarily agree with France's got top end talent. Spain has youth and talents too. Spain's problem was that cocky attitude I can sense. They wanted to finish off French quick and easy en route to another crushing win. France played the right ball. Shell back, played good D, and Ribery was the gem for France. I agree Brazil wont have easy time against France. We will see.
LOL, He's actually very happy. He shouts alone the line of something like "penelty! The great Italian left-back. Vive Italy." and such. The guy is a huge Italy League fan. And he has to apologize afterward. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5125016.stm
The commentator sounds very ignorant. No, he's just a douchebag. He might as well compare & criticize Brazil for having European based players too... http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19616401-5004540,00.html
Italy socred at same time he was coming. Italy should give him a passport. Crazy crazy stuff. He was lost right there.
Spain, IMO, was one of the most entertaining teams to watch. They are loaded with talent but the coach messed up. He should have put Joaquin in earlier and I can't understand why Reyes didn't get to play more. They played organized beautiful soccer with amazing one touches, sick through balls, nice control and beautiful runs. That kid Torres is amazing, if Man-U can get a hold of him, that would be sick. Imagine him and Rooney on the same field The problem with France is that they have multiple personalities. They can be a very very good team (as they were against Spain) or they can be one of the worse teams. You just never know which one will show up. The other major dissappointment, to me anyways, is T. Henry. I guess I am spoiled by watching the things he does in the EPL b/c he is a shell of that in the WC. The guy is absolutely amazing at Arsenal but struggles to stand out on the French team. Brazil will be fine. They have an advantage over most teams b/c they have a 1-0 lead before the match even starts, not on the scoreboard but in the form of the aura and intimidation they carry. They are Brazil, kings of the beautiful game and are loaded with stars, so teams naturally carry the underdog stigma which puts them at a dissadvantage from the start. Brazil are like Jordan the player, you can be dominating and winning big against them, but in the back of your mind you know they are capable turning it on and taking over and usually they do. I guess you don't follow club soccer much? Over the past several years the Russian mega millionaire bought Chelsea and hired Jose Mourihno (a great coach/GM) and given him a signed blank checkbook with free reign to pick any player he wants. They've been pretty successful in the Premier League but it hasn't paid off in the Champions League (the most prestigious trophy in club soccer) but it doesn't always work as in Real Madrid who suck despite having Zidane, Ronaldo, Robinho, Roberto Carlos, Raul, (Owen for half a season), Beckham and a handful of other players. How thankful is Barcelona that they lost the Beckham sweepstakes and were able to get Ronaldinho? He has revived that great club and he has become the face of world soccer. If Brazil wins the WC, he will have one of the greatest years ever in all of sports: FIFA World Player of the Year, European Player of the year, La Liga Champion, Champions League Champion, and WC Champion. Fox Soccer Channel reported that Crespo is going to go to AC Milan or maybe Inter Milan. They also said that my boy Ruud V Nistlerooy might be headed to Inter b/c of that old grumpy fart Ferguson. Wow I didn't know about Roberto Carlos. FYI: Barcelona signed Gudjohnsen from Chelsea earlier this month.
Yeah I've seen plenty of stories on his antics at the end of the Italy-Australia match. Simply put, the guy is a joke. It's perfectly OK to be emotional and colorful as a sports commentator especially in a big soccer match the like the World Cup. But his jibes at the Australian team are extremely uncalled for. First, the Australians had nothing to do with the New Zealanders, who beat the Chinese team in the '81 WC qualifying match with the collaboration of the Saudi team. I knew too well what happened then and was very bitter about it. Still the Chinese team had their chance and they blew it. Second, even if Australia takes one qualifying spot away from the Asia-Oceania region, so what? The Chinese team ought to make it nontheless, it's not the end of the world. The Japanese and South Koreans can do it, why can't the Chinese? Think about all the expectation the entire nation have on the team and all the money invested in soccer. The guy works for the state owned TV and has an obligation to represent his country in a proper manner. If he gets sacked, I won't shed a tear for him. Oh, last but not the least, he's not that a great commentator anyway. If you saw a list of his "great hits" compiled by the Chinese readers on line, you'd wonder why he's not got rid of earlier.
Dude... I know I am a soccer freak, but you take the cake... Where are you posting at 3 in the morning, yo? (not that there's anything wrong with that) I thought you'd be asleep.
Sorry guys, I am a bit lazy and didn't feel like digging through this gigantic thread to find out, but... Could anyone post a link that I could watch the game on while at work? Mucho gracias, fellas.
I am having this match recorded. Please refrain yourself from discussing it until I get a chance to watch the DVD later today. TIA.
