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© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.England needs Rooney to hit form against Germany
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
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USNinJapan2
Love Rooney but not gonna happen. Deutschland wird gewinnen!!!
HumbledCat
If England wear their all red kits again, see if it's possible to put the AIG logo on Rooney's shirt. Make him feel at home again.
AlfGarnett
I predict Rooney will score because Germany has rubbish defence, if the lad tries hard he may get a hat trick, but he`ll save his energy and probably feel one goal is enough.
My mate Arthur heard that the England team has stocked up on jellied eels, real ale and Frey Bentos pies to keep them in tip top shape. Maybe also a few cigars whilst watching the 1966 final over and over again for inspiration.
phatoomsh
2 points: Firstly, Rooney is far more than a striker, creating, holding and generally ruffling feathers - that is as much his forte. Secondly, in 1982 Paolo Rossi didn't score his first goal of that tournament until the quarter final yet ended up with the golden boot on 6 goals. Hopefully Rooney will start scoring goals tonight, but there are at least 4 or 5 other players who have a proven record for scoring goals.
nandakandamanda
You are all forgetting that Germany have this octopus. (It's a fiendishly clever psychological weapon with which to weaken the English.)
taiko666
Even though this is a knock-out round, a draw is enough for Germany, because England are psychologically incapable of winning a penalty shoot-out. The Germans haven't missed a single kick in shoot-outs since 1982.
It's pretty obvious that it didn't :-) That remains England's most recent slice of good fortune... 44 years ago. Hurst's 3rd goal was a screamer though. Defence to attack to almost breaking the net in about 5 seconds.
5 1/2 hours to go and I'm almost puking with nerves!
Zenny11
"Germany will make Steak and Kidney Pie out of the English team."
Sorry, someone had to say it.
hoserfella
Ze Germans vill vin
nandakandamanda
If the English are true gentlemen, they will let Germany win...
GJDailleult
But, except in'06, those teams didn't have Podolski.
DamoSuzuki
Please, please , please, please, please, please, don't let it go to penalties again ! Anything but penalties. I can't take any more penalties !
Good luck tonight 3 Lions !
BurakuminDes
Theyre gone the Poms! Germany all the way! GO DEUTSCHLAND!!!
BurakuminDes
Look - I am going for Germany - but how on earth the corrupt FIFA referees disallowed the most clear-cut goal of all time for England is a blatant conspiracy. This World Cup will be remembered basically for two things - the vuvuzela - and corrupt, disgraceful refereeing. I'd like to know how much money has changed hands before this game?
jason6
England's clearly in, but disallowed goal must be a disgrace to the referees, the sideline officials and the FIFA organization, as they have only recently voted--once again--to keep goal replay reviews out of the game. The only good thing to come out of this is that it puts a lot of pressure on FIFA to change the rules about this glaring lack of competency and fairness.
jason6
Otherwise, this has been one of the most exciting games I have watched yet!
BurakuminDes
Agreed Jason! These teams could teach Brazil and Portugal something about passion...
BurakuminDes
How must that ancient Capello bloke be feeling? He has chosen pub footballers as Englands defenders! Deutschland 3 - England 1
LFRAgain
Wow... The referees essentially won that game for Germany, and robbed World Cup fans of what could have been, and should have been an exciting match between these two rivals.
You could see the quantum shift in England's attitude -- from one of utter disbelief to disgust to resignation that they were screwed no matter what they did -- when that blatantly obvious goal was all but stolen from them by an either blind or completely corrupt referee. Unfreakin'believable, that call.
In the interest of fair play, FIFA seriously needs to get off it's arse and allow the electronic review of piss-poor calls like this. Or at the very least, institute some sort of system whereby refs who make these kinds of flagrant misjudments are prevented from refereeing future games.
ihavearrived
actually Germany won by 3 goals. So in the end the disallowed goal didnt change the result. It was a good game, but the far better team won which is always a fair result. The goals scored by Germany were the result of great teamwork and skill. This was something that England lacked.
BurakuminDes
Well done Deutschland! They were unlucky not to win 6-1. Fast, creative - and absolutely world class. That Ozil bloke is amazing - best on the pitch for mine.
However, the referee and match officials should be the subject of a criminal investigation as a result of not allowing that Lampard goal. It is likely there has been some type of criminal activity on their part. If soccer wants some credibility - they really have to catch up to other professional sports - eg Rugby League and NFL - that have been using technology for years. Ban the officials for life. Also - John Terry is a woeful pub-standard player - as are all of those England defenders.
arrestpaul
Congratulations to Germany. They won according to the rules.
Having said that, FIFA needs to change a few of the rules. I don't see any reason they couldn't add replays/reviews to matches as important as the World Cup. At least in goal/no goal situations. The cameras are already there and an extra pair of eyes or two just outside the field or in back of the nets wouldn't hinder play.
FIFA insists that the game be the same at all levels of play but other sports have added reviews during championships without mandating it across the sport. I believe FIFA actually LIKES the controversy.