The World Cup? So after all of that....

[Gary Swartzlander]

it comes down to who can kick the most balls past the moving target from a stationary position? Who figured that one out? Not one single shot was blocked, the one missed was a bad kick. The goalies don't stand a chance.

It's like if the World Series was tied at the end of game 7, we picked the winner by having a home run derby.

Anybody able to defend this? What's wrong with playing till someone scores, and oh maybe do something to make scoring a possiblity.

[Hans Deventer]

Gary,

There have been more penalties in deciding a game, and some keepers did a very good job stopping them. Especially the goalkeeper of Portugal had some great saves.

But it is true, a good shot will always score. So it is a matter of nerves most of all.

I also agree is should be made easier to score a regular goal. I'm not sure how though.

[Roland Hearn]

What if a "field" goal was worth 2 points and a penalty was worth 1?At least those spectacular goals with great athletic worth, which is probably the best feature of this form of football (we're not allowed to call it soccer in Australia any more), would be rewarded more so than the predictable penalty shot.

[Hans Deventer]

What if a "field" goal was worth 2 points and a penalty was worth 1?At least those spectacular goals with great athletic worth, which is probably the best feature of this form of football (we're not allowed to call it soccer in Australia any more), would be rewarded more so than the predictable penalty shot.

Roland, I think the trouble is that it is too hard of cut through the defense. Apparently, defenders are in a stronger position than their opponents. Something would need to be done there. Perhaps a complete ban of physical contact, including slidings? We need more room for the "ball-wizards", the technical forward.

Also, I think the knock-out system stimulates defensive playing. And I don't like the extended time either.
I would prefer a competition in which the number of goals scored would weigh heavvily.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

.... It's like if the World Series was tied at the end of game 7, we picked the winner by having a home run derby.

Anybody able to defend this? What's wrong with playing till someone scores, and oh maybe do something to make scoring a possiblity.

Unlike baseball (aside for the pitcher) soccer players work to hard to keep going on and on. Fatigue factor sets in and the quality of play deteriorates and injuries become more likely.

I do like the suggestion that 2 points be given for regular goals and only 1 for penalty kicks.

There are some things that could be done to make scoring easier. They could add a foot to each end of the goal and raise it six inches. They could also make the goal bars flat and border it with a 3 foot "backboard." That way, near misses would end up back out front of the goal. Another plan would be to reduce the goalkeeper's box size so he can't charge out and catch or punch crosses to the center as much.

Wilson

[Ron Davis]

You could also eliminate or ease the off-side rule, although that would probably be heresy. I did learn that this only the second World Cup final decided by penalty kicks.

Unlike baseball (aside for the pitcher) soccer players work to hard to keep going on and on. Fatigue factor sets in and the quality of play deteriorates and injuries become more likely.

I do like the suggestion that 2 points be given for regular goals and only 1 for penalty kicks.

There are some things that could be done to make scoring easier. They could add a foot to each end of the goal and raise it six inches. They could also make the goal bars flat and border it with a 3 foot "backboard." That way, near misses would end up back out front of the goal. Another plan would be to reduce the goalkeeper's box size so he can't charge out and catch or punch crosses to the center as much.

Wilson

[Jonathan Long]

When I used to coach girls competitive soccer I would tell my goalie that if she could make one save in a shootout that was all that I could ask of her. It's hard enough for professionals to handle the pressure that's felt in a shootout much less kids.

As for scoring I don't think FIFA will change the scoring system. I preferred the "Golden Goal" system in overtime.

Jon

[Paul Whitaker]

We didn't have any feelings about who was going to win the match yesterday - UNTIL the dispicable foul on the part of the French. We then put our hopes on the Italians - and were pleased when they won.

I read later that this same type of foul had been called on the same player in recent tests.

In our years in Africa I NEVER did see fouls like that in football.

Incidentally, we are pleased that South Africa is to be the venue for the next World Cup.

The above is just my opinion. I am not an expert in ANY field.

[Mark Doble]

I knew it all the time... That is why I slept through it...:basic05

[Hans Deventer]

I do like the suggestion that 2 points be given for regular goals and only 1 for penalty kicks.

In the Dutch competition, they get 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss since a couple of years. It is not yet as you suggested, but indeed the idea was to get more goals.

[Cindi Hammons]

I also agree is should be made easier to score a regular goal. I'm not sure how though.

Hans,

The National Hockey League had the same problem. They made the goal larger and made the goalie's pads smaller. This resulted in making it easier to score, thus higher scoring games. Hockey, also a very physically demanding sport, uses "sudden death" (first to score, wins) overtime for tie games.

Cindi H.

[Jonathan Long]

Hans,

The scoring system you mentioned is for league record?

That is the same system used for tournaments here. I believe that Wilson was talking about having each goal scored during a game be worth 2 points instead of one.

Jon

[Ian Gentles]

it comes down to who can kick the most balls past the moving target from a stationary position? Who figured that one out? Not one single shot was blocked, the one missed was a bad kick. The goalies don't stand a chance.

It's like if the World Series was tied at the end of game 7, we picked the winner by having a home run derby.

Anybody able to defend this? What's wrong with playing till someone scores, and oh maybe do something to make scoring a possiblity.


After full time, i would play for the golden goal, that is first to scores wines!

[Roland Hearn]

Hey I have and idea, why not let the players actually pick up the ball and run with it. The opposition could try and stop them by grabbing them and throwing them to the ground, that would increase both the scoring and the contact - now that would be a game that could take the world - :basic05

Hans please forgive me, I lost my head - I am deeply sorry.

[Gina Stevenson]

'Couldn't figure this one out, either, Gary. Only happened to watch one little game ... it was where Portugal won over I-now-forgot-whom. We have OT after OT until a game's won ... that seemed sort of "silly" to me, after all the stuff they do in a game, to have it come down to a few kicks ... sort of strange, to me. Oh, well ...................

it comes down to who can kick the most balls past the moving target from a stationary position? Who figured that one out? Not one single shot was blocked, the one missed was a bad kick. The goalies don't stand a chance.

It's like if the World Series was tied at the end of game 7, we picked the winner by having a home run derby.

Anybody able to defend this? What's wrong with playing till someone scores, and oh maybe do something to make scoring a possiblity.

[Jonathan Long]

You have to remember that most of the players had already played 2 hours of non-stop action before they went to penalty kicks. I remember reading that the average midfielder runs 6 miles during a normal game, now add a 1/2 hour more of time.... they are exhausted - physically and mentally.
I guess that I agree with Ian, the "Golden Goal" concept of overtime seems to be "more fair". Then if the teams are still tied they could move into the shootout... perhaphs they should adopt the MLS idea of giving a player 10 seconds to advance the ball and shoot while the goalie can attack the player to prevent the shot or block it.

Jon

[Hans Deventer]

Hans,

The scoring system you mentioned is for league record?


Yes.