World Cup Russia 2018 Thread
Posted by: Bob the Builder on 20 May 2018
As ever I'm very much looking forward to the World Cup as a football fan but again am struggling to find much enthusiasm for the England team. I can remember in the past getting excited about our prospects and being devestated at our losses in Italia 90, Euro 96, France 98 even up until Euro 2002 in Portugal when Rooney was such an exciting young prospect but since then my interest in the national team has waned and recent performances in South Africa, Brazil and the last Euros in France have just gotten worse and become an embarassment.
Hopefully though Gareth Southgates youthful looking squad can change all that and play without the fear that seemed to infect our squads in recent tournaments. Whatever we should be in store for some great football, I wonder who will be the surprise team, who will be the youngster that excites us all and who will win the Golden Boot this time round?
Peder posted:❤ Whaoo,....Sweden's biggest football success since 1994,..when we came in third place.!!
Maybe it's time to play Tina Turner's "Simply The Best" ????????????.
But yes,it feels good,hope it goes as well for England later...../Peder ????
You hint for Neymar by mentioning Tina Turner?
Well, having admired the refreshing sportsman-like approach of Japan yesterday, we're back to the cynical tactical which are associated with teams from South America. England need to keep their discipline and not rise to it. They were the better side in the first half. Still think Sterling flatters to deceive, though. Bring on Rashford, I say.
Never, never stop attacking. When you do,most times you pay. Let's hope your team can overcome that mistake. Others haven't.
Teams in American football often do the same thing with similar results. Makes you wonder why the lesson is never learned.
Columbia 1 - 1 England, extra time.
England pay for mistake.
Oh crap! Here we go - penalties 
Congrats. England.
Yesssssssssssssssss
OMG! I'm exhausted. Pickford - you beauty!
England is through!!!
SuuuuuuuuPerb. Great job England!!!!!!!!!'
Who said we had a dodgy goalkeeper, what a brilliant save
wenger2015 posted:Who said we had a dodgy goalkeeper, what a brilliant save
Yep. The pundits got that wrong. He looked strong throughout the game.
A true England team, hat off to you.
wenger2015 posted:Who said we had a dodgy goalkeeper, what a brilliant save
I've no genuine interest in football and haven't watched a single match but when I saw the BBC news feed saying it was penalties I turned the TV on.
Have to say I thought it was going to go to Columbia as Pickford looked so nervous and twitchy.
I think England were very lucky to be honest, and despite being a Celt I'd be happy to seem them progress and win it.
Well done England, I doubted whether it would happen as extra time dragged on.
Columbia were a sad excuse for a football team and thankfully got what they deserved. Just!
TK421 posted:Well done England, I doubted whether it would happen as extra time dragged on.
Columbia were a sad excuse for a football team and thankfully got what they deserved. Just!
Columbia spent most of the game trying to cheat, when they actually decided to play football they had some good moments....as you rightly say they got what they deserved
Columbia were sooo dirty.We got through by the skin of our teeth but at least the penalty hex has been broken. Two great saves (one in open play, one pen) from Pickford.
Thought Southgate spoke very well again when interviewed after the game. Focussed and measured. He's growing, like his young squad. While England could and should have won it in 90 minutes, that extra-time and victory through a penalty shoot out might have the effect of bonding the young team even more powerfully. They faced a big disappointment and came through it together. They will all remember that game and the moment of victory for the rest of their lives.
???????? Colombia got what they deserved,it was not football for a long time....instead almost fights and wrestling.
Sat almost and thought,...soon the referee will break the match.
But congratulations England,then Sweden and England meet in the quarter-finals.
/Peder ????
Peder posted:???????? Colombia got what they deserved,it was not football for a long time....instead almost fights and wrestling.
Sat almost and thought,...soon the referee will break the match.But congratulations England,then Sweden and England meet in the quarter-finals.
/Peder ????
Yeah the guys at some times almost looked like the bodyguards of Escobar. I didn’t like the hard game. But also not totally convinced about the mental strength of the England team. They seem to lose it completely after the late equalizing goal.....
Well that was difficult to watch at times but this team is now growing with each match. The loss to Belgium criticised by many including me looks to have been a win instead of a loss or we would be playing Brazil in the quarter final and apologise to Peder but Sweden is the more appealing draw. Although having said that they look a very solid outfit, have some very creative players and also have a momentum of their own so do not be fooled this will be a very, very difficult match.
ps. Please no more penalty shoot outs.
What a dreadful game. Colombia almost worked a perfect burglary. Can England score from anything other than a penalty? I don't recall a single save required by their 'keeper in the match.
How on earth can England be still in a tournament when so many good teams are out? Answer, the softest of draws, a slab of luck and a bit of scrapping.
The only hope I can muster is that they might actually have a better chance against a better team who play more positively (ie kicking the ball forward rather than just kicking other people).
3pm Saturday v Sweden. I will be playing cricket! On the subject if which I loved the attempt by Colombia to surreptitiously scuff up the penalty spot. Pitch tampering!
Bruce
Bruce,
It doesn't matter how they go in a goal is a goal.
A game we didn't deserve to lose given the antics of the Columbians but, equally, we showed little goal threat in general play. I thought Alli, Lingard and Sterling were ineffective - you know the midfield has issues when the centre backs march forward with the ball. Trippier, once again, did very well.
Why oh why though did we as a team get involved in the various melees with the Columbians, especially after the penalty award. Why not walk well away and let the ref sort things out, and exhibit a positive influence on the ref. For the good of the game in general, I was hoping for a flurry of yellow cards after the Columbians surrounded and harassed the ref - but no. What a sad state of affairs.
We won but, once again on a world stage, the game in general lost last night.
Bob the Builder posted:Bruce,
It doesn't matter how they go in a goal is a goal.
I'm obviously not a true fan. I want a bit of joy in the playing. I shall confess I was bored watching last night and switched off the TV with an hour to go so I could do something more useful with just the (excellent) 5live for company,
I still want Japan to win....since that appears unlikely I'm actually going with Uruguay. Heart-on-sleeve underdogs from a nation of only 3million.
Bruce