2006-06-27 22:26:43 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football ➔ FIFA World Cup (TM)
I'd have to say Italy having seen the way the Austrailians were booted out.
2006-06-28 01:03:47 · answer #1 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look hard enough, you can see throughout history that certain teams have been favoured by the refs for a number of different reasons:
Case #1: England v Argentina, 1986 "The Hand of God".
The hand of God gifted the Argentinians with one of the most crucial things in sports - momentum. England always have a lot of travelling fans, and some of them bring negative attention to themselves with violence. Maradona was a player everyone wanted to watch, so it makes sense that the Ref just didn't see him use his hand. Without the Hand of God, the score would have been 1-1.
Case #2 - England v Holland, 1994 "The Koeman incident."
David Platt was flat out robbed of a penalty when the score was 1-0, the Referee taking his chance to deny England passage through to World Cup 94 in the USA. A few minutes later, the offender Koeman, who should definitely have seen red for his foul on Platt, scored from a free kick making it 2-0.
Case #3 England v Portugal, Urs Meier's terrible decision, Euro 2004.
Sol Campbell's perfectly legitimate goal is ruled out, and Portugal eventually go on to win on Penalties. Did I mention that Portugal were the host nation? Think Sol's goal gets disallowed if the tournament is hosted in England? Think again.
That's just a few examples I can think of off the top of my head as far as England are concerned. Looking at this World Cup, you can see how Germany have been favoured (Lucic sent off for 2 chatty fouls in the first knockout game) and how minnows Australia were dealt a cruel blow against Italy with the last minute penalty - however, I feel in this case that the Ref was making up for what was a terrible decision in sending off Materazzi.
Argentina also got extremely lucky when Heinze was only given a yellow card for his horror tackle on a Mexican through on goal at the end of the first half. I can't, however, point to any team that wouldn't have been favoured getting a favourable decision.
Looking back to World Cup 2002, we can see that Italy were robbed (Hey, those guys have just as much a case as England when it comes to robbery) by South Korea, as were Spain in the same competition when they had 3 legitimate goals disallowed. Home nation favouritism? Oh yes.
We can see from this evidence that Argentina have to beat Germany, the fans and the Refs if they're to advance. If Germany win through on a chatty decision, I don't think I'll pay any more attention to this World Cup.
2006-06-27 23:55:16 · answer #2 · answered by English Bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They haven't a favorite team. Instead, they're hoping every 4 years in a final between Brazil and the host country. Brazil is most famous, loved, and TV-seen team in the world. Host country in final means an unforgettable day.
So, they hope in Germany-Brazil. For the same reasons they dislike Ukraine-Portugal. But it'll be Italy-Brazil.
2006-06-27 22:38:36 · answer #3 · answered by erri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FIFA' top rated team is Brazil then england
But USA where 4th FIFA is run by 100's of suit that can't play with a couple of ex stars such a Platini (french wizard) most of them can't kick a ball but read sats and listen to hype!
2006-06-27 22:58:39 · answer #4 · answered by Macka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think it's Brazil.FIFA is always in their favour.Broad day light,a refree seen begging for Ronaldo's jersey,and nobody talks about it.No wonder Ghana was cheated on so many occasions.It's europe and south america cup finals and not world cup.They are always cheating smaller teams.....It's high time Asia and Africa sat and organise their own and ignore so called Fifa world cup.Hey cheer up......
2006-06-27 22:39:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would like to see African and Asian soccer being treated better so that those teams can develop and create more competition in the world cup!
2006-06-27 22:57:23 · answer #6 · answered by TipperaryKeano 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Portugal
2006-07-03 12:23:04 · answer #7 · answered by jriiselfc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the ones with the most fans for extra ticket sales. Germany then.
2006-06-27 22:32:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Undoubtedly it is Portugal !!! I'm sure that they will be the champions!! Despite the fact that Brazil is the favorite!!
2006-06-27 22:43:56 · answer #9 · answered by world 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Germany- the host country,...
2006-06-27 22:29:05 · answer #10 · answered by Jim H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋