Baseball Toaster: The Griddle : WC 2006 Match Chat: Mexico vs. Angola, noon PT

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WC 2006 Match Chat: Mexico vs. Angola, noon PT

2006-06-16 11:32

by Bob Timmermann

Live from Hanover!

This matchup will bring Southern California to a halt. Don't even think of trying to buy lunch in Little Luanda!

Mexico beat Iran, 3-1 in its opener in Group D and still seemed to disappoint its fans. Angola lost 1-0 to Portugal. If Mexico wins today and Portugal beats Iran tomorrow, both move on to the second round and the Angola-Iran match would be for academic purposes.

National Anthems:

Mexico, Himno Nacional Mexicano

Angola, Angola Avante

Comments (55)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-06-16 12:01:33

1. Bob Timmermann

The symbols on the Angolan flag are part of a cogwheel and a machete.

Contrast that with the Mexican flag's depiction of an eagle sitting on a cactus eating a snake.

Please limit your essays to 300 words or less.

Grammar and spelling will count.

2006-06-16 12:04:41

2. Bob Timmermann

Question 2 to discuss:

If you went by just one name as a soccer player what would it be?

2006-06-16 12:09:24

3. KAYVMON

I like KAYVMON

2006-06-16 12:10:55

4. Bob Timmermann

9 of the 11 starters for Angola go by just one name and the other two use two words and those aren't their full names either.

I'd go by Vern.

2006-06-16 12:15:59

5. Greg Brock

2 Is Pele taken?

2006-06-16 12:18:02

6. Bob Timmermann

You may not use any name used by a past or present Brazilian star with the exception of Socrates.

2006-06-16 12:19:17

7. Bob Timmermann

And you can also use Leonidas.

2006-06-16 12:19:43

8. Greg Brock

Then I shall be known as Robespierre

2006-06-16 12:21:19

9. Bob Timmermann

I would think Robespierre would pick up a lot of red cards.

2006-06-16 12:22:21

10. Ken Arneson

I went to an online random word generator. My soccer name is "Worry".

2006-06-16 12:22:29

11. Greg Brock

Actually, Jacobin would be a great name as well. Except say it like it would be said in Portuguese. Zhhhakobeeeen.

2006-06-16 12:23:50

12. Bob Timmermann

I think Worry would have to play on the back line.

2006-06-16 12:24:34

13. Greg Brock

Worry has "backup goalkeeper" written all over it.

2006-06-16 12:25:08

14. Bob Timmermann

Zinha's real name is Antonio Naelson Matiasar.

2006-06-16 12:25:45

15. Ken Arneson

I'm better as an offensive player. If I were my coach, and I put me on the back line, I'd certainly worry.

2006-06-16 12:27:59

16. Greg Brock

Bob I know you're partial to Carthage Mighty Eagles, but you've gotta respect the Black Antelopes. Palancas Negras just rolls off the tongue.

2006-06-16 12:29:07

17. Greg Brock

Whoops Golden Eagles. Too used to saying mighty Carthage.

2006-06-16 12:30:46

18. Ken Arneson

Meanwhile, this game is surprisingly even. I was expecting Mexico to be better.

2006-06-16 12:32:40

19. Bob Timmermann

I hope my friend is enjoying her food at Niketown. I told her to change out of her adidas shorts before she went there.

2006-06-16 12:33:35

20. Greg Brock

If Angola beats Mexico, I think I'm going to take a nice little vacation out of LA for awhile.

2006-06-16 12:43:20

21. Greg Brock

I was watching the Angola/Portugal match the other day, and wondering how much colonialism plays into this whole thing. Do the Angolan players say to the Mexican players "Hey, you were a colony? We were a colony! Huh, Spain, no, we were Portugal."

2006-06-16 12:45:14

22. Ken Arneson

Mexico is starting to control play again now.

2006-06-16 12:49:12

23. Bob Timmermann

I thank Ken for using a singular verb with "Mexico."

2006-06-16 13:03:15

24. Kayaker7

I always found the use of plural verbs for soccer teams a bit odd.

2006-06-16 13:06:12

25. Kayaker7

21 A Malaysian friend of mine was in England, when an old lady asked her, "Which one of our colonies are you from?"

2006-06-16 13:14:39

26. Greg Brock

25 Think of all the times you've heard the inane "No love lost between these two teams" during an American sports broadcast...Then think about the Germany/Poland game. Perspective, I think, is in order.

2006-06-16 13:20:27

27. Kayaker7

Or Korea-Japan.

2006-06-16 13:21:26

28. Bob Timmermann

But look how long it took before a state in the Confederacy got a major league team.

Don't you think in the 1870s or 1880s, a team from Georgia would have met with some hassles then playing a northern team?

2006-06-16 13:21:36

29. confucius

2 Nacho

2006-06-16 13:22:26

30. Bob Timmermann

27
The Korea-Japan games in the WBC were pretty interesting affairs to see. Especially for someone who didn't have a horse in that race.

2006-06-16 13:25:25

31. Kayaker7

Koreans take great pride in having a winning record against Japan in soccer.

2006-06-16 13:25:34

32. Ken Arneson

Mexico shoulda scored there.

2006-06-16 13:26:53

33. confucius

My favorite thing about soccer games is the singing. Saying "Let's go (team name)" doesn't really compare. I wish I could go to a Dodger game and sing praises to Nomar.

2006-06-16 13:27:23

34. confucius

(33) soccer matches

2006-06-16 13:28:09

35. Bob Timmermann

Korea has been the best team in Asia since World War II. Japan really didn't get serious until the 1990s.

And the Japanese are not happy about the way they loss to Australia. They want Zico's head on a platter.

2006-06-16 13:30:50

36. Bob Timmermann

I will drop in the note here that Bad Altitude usually has an analysis of the day's matches after they're over (usually in the evening).

And Mark, unlike me, really understands soccer.

2006-06-16 13:33:37

37. confucius

Please tell me someone just heard the announcer say "This looks promising!...(mexico promptly turns the ball over) until that service"

2006-06-16 13:34:11

38. Greg Brock

Watching Angola hang in here is going to make the inevitable Mexico score really bum me out. Very much like Germany/Poland.

2006-06-16 13:37:40

39. Kayaker7

35 The J-League is the best professional league in Asia, and Japan has the best national team in Asia at the moment. But, for whatever reason, Korea always seems to give Japan fits.

2006-06-16 13:38:09

40. Bob Timmermann

Since I'm not watching, was that a deserved red card?

2006-06-16 13:38:14

41. Greg Brock

Okay, now this IS Germany/Poland. Man short with ten to play.

2006-06-16 13:38:25

42. Kayaker7

Uh oh...carta roja...

2006-06-16 13:39:40

43. Greg Brock

He threw his hand up to stop the ball. It was a worthy yellow card...but it was his second of the match. See ya.

2006-06-16 13:40:30

44. Ken Arneson

If this result holds, then Sweden:T&T::Mexico:Angola.

2006-06-16 13:42:17

45. Bob Timmermann

I would hate to think of all the Mexican on Angolan violence that would result here in L.A. if this score holds up.

2006-06-16 13:45:18

46. Bob Timmermann

Even the US team scored against Angola!

2006-06-16 13:46:17

47. Kayaker7

Oooh, that's the ultimo insult, Gringo.

2006-06-16 13:47:23

48. Linkmeister

45 Huh. Judging from the taxi drivers I've had in LA, I'd have thought Iranian-Mexican violence would be more likely.

2006-06-16 13:47:31

49. Greg Brock

Save of the tourney thus far, IMO

2006-06-16 13:50:35

50. Kayaker7

How can it be a shot on goal when it hits the post?

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-06-16 13:51:30

51. Bob Timmermann

50
This ain't hockey!

2006-06-16 13:52:56

52. Kayaker7

Just sayin'. The matchcast said shot on goal, but Bravo only hit the post. Unless the goalie deflected onto the post.

2006-06-16 13:52:59

53. Bob Timmermann

Tiempo completo!

Angola stays alive and has an outside chance of advancing if they can score on Iran.

Portugal can clinch a spot in the second round with a win over Iran tomorrow.

2006-06-16 13:54:35

54. Bob Timmermann

In soccer, a shot that hits the post is considered a shot on goal. In hockey, it isn't.

There are very detailed scoresheets FIFA uses and every shot gets listed in different ways. There is a category for "post".

At least there was during the 1984 Olympics when I got to see some of them.

2006-06-16 13:57:57

55. Kayaker7

IC.