Group H (Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland)

[Shaggy]

Torres is ****ing better than him, if Villa is preferred when Nando's fit there'll be summat wrong.

[Craig_H]

Mick McCarthy is a tit.

[Fernandinho]

Working/watching at the same time. Boring though, yeah.

FFS Villa

good thing you are self employed... you really dont seem the productive type

[Craig_H]

[Shaggy]

good thing you are self employed... you really dont seem the productive type

Lineker has just said this is the 16th game of the tournament and the 9th goalless first half.

[EwarWoo]

Hopefully Torres will start the 2nd half and show 'em how to attack.

[Mattshark]

It's amazing, but all the things that work in normal football, are just being nullified in this world cup.

Is it altitude? Too much vuvuzela noise? Or what?

Even in domestic games or CL games, where you get a minnow trying to defend deep with men behind the ball, you still get good games and goals.

This world cup is seriously odd. I hope it's not a sign of the future for football.

Well it won't be altitude in Durban and Cape Town, both of which are definitely at sea level.

Regarding this game, Switzerland are actually very good at defending.

[Craig_H]

It's been the same in pretty much every game though.

[Fernandinho]

i think it has a lot to do with the closing of gaps in ability as well as the fact that more and more teams are focusing on structure and grinding then in years gone bye as well

[Craig_H]

So does that mean the PL, Serie A and La Liga, for example, are going to be boring and **** from now on?

[Fernandinho]

im talking more world cup... think about the fact that once upon a time a korean team would always get belted by any football powerhouse... these days brazil have to push to get a 1 goal win

[Craig_H]

Well it's ****.

[Fernandinho]

Well it's ****.

very ashamed to be agreeing with you on this one

[Fernandinho]

Taken from the goal.com live commentary

Xabi Alonso made 10 passes of at least 35 yards in the 1st half against Switzerland, with each of these finding their target - WOW.

what to say

[dww]

Well it won't be altitude in Durban and Cape Town, both of which are definitely at sea level.

Regarding this game, Switzerland are actually very good at defending.

I wonder whether teams have trained more for the altitude than they have concentrating on the ball. Long passes and crosses in particular seem to be giving teams problems - I think a lack of confidence when going for the final ball has meant a lower level of quality and delays which allow teams to get into position.

Also the defensive minded teams seem very fit and capable of chasing and closing for entire matches.