I actually enjoyed it, and learned how to be patient and appreciate the skill level involved, even when there were no goals scored. I'm also looking forward to Club play when it resumes. I can't wait for 2010.
That being said; there were some things that bothered me:
The flopping and diving is way too overdone, and takes away some credibility to me. I'm sure it's been a part of the game for a long time, but I'd be hard pressed to pretend to be hurt like that. If you get taken off on a stretcher, you should not be running back on the field 1 minute later. We've all played tackle football with no pads before...grass is not that hard.
The yellow and red cards are handed out like candy, and the penalties are way too harsh for them. Missing a match on 2 yellow cards in two games is just nuts to me, especially when they're close judgment calls, or handed out because the other team's player flopped without even being touched. They actually broke the record for cards handed out before the quarter finals were even over.
Some teams played way too careful. I'm sure all the cards handed out made some teams play safe. I also understand you can't get sloppy and let players get behind you, but the way Ghana played against Brazil, was the most exiting shut-out of the tournament. Granted, they had nothing to lose, but they did force the action.
Even though I wrote more about what I didn't like, there was actually more of it I did enjoy. Just pointing out some things that the new viewer might get turned off by, very quickly.
Scott
Peace