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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jun 16, 2018 1:09:12 GMT
Don't know how many football fans we have here but the world cup is under way.
Anyone watch the Portugal Spain game? What a brilliant game, hope we get something like that in the knock out stages as the tension would be amazing. Hatrick from Ronaldo, and two from Costa. Some fantastic goals - but who leads their group? IRAN...
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Post by oilersgm on Jun 17, 2018 0:33:36 GMT
I watched the first half before leaving to visit friends in a small town, haven't seen the highlights yet. My partner is Egyptian and I'm a Liverpool fan, so I was bitterly disappointed by the late Uruguay goal.
Did you know that no Asian teams won a single game in 2014? And yet Iran manages to win one on an own-goal...
Anyway, I haven't watched much because of this trip, but once I get back home tomorrow I will be watching a tonne.
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jun 19, 2018 21:03:45 GMT
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Post by oilersgm on Jun 27, 2018 18:04:19 GMT
Germany... man, what the hell. First time since 1938 that Germany (or West Germany) were eliminated at the first stage of the world cup. Now only two nations (Mexico and Brazil) have made it through the group stage of every 32-team world cup, though I guess it's still possible that Brazil could go out this afternoon.
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 1, 2018 10:12:23 GMT
It's not quite as bad as France going out in the group stages in 2002 after failing to win a single game. They totally dominated the 1998 world cup.
However, it is far funnier to see Germany go out so early. Not that as an England fan we are bias in any way.
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 4, 2018 20:09:36 GMT
Yeah take that Colombia. Can't believe we actually won a penalty shootout in the world cup.
I believe we will beat Sweden. I'm hoping we get Russia in the Semi's as that will create a hell of an atmosphere.
Just wish the refs would get a handle on all the wrestling going on. Thats 3 games now where we've been getting rugby tackled and been giving piggy backs in the 12 yard box.
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 8, 2018 0:29:02 GMT
Oh well, croatia it is.
Now, an England Belgium final would be very interesting as they faced each other in the group stage and we let them win so we would come second (thats my story and im sticking to it).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2018 3:46:40 GMT
Oh well, croatia it is. Now, an England Belgium final would be very interesting as they faced each other in the group stage and we let them win so we would come second (thats my story and im sticking to it). Don't worry Stephen... they won't break your heart until the final. That's how England football goes... big expectation followed by equally big disappointment. Surprised Russia bowed out like this... I was thinking shenanigans that got them this far was going to carry them a bit further. |
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Post by oilersgm on Jul 8, 2018 4:16:16 GMT
I am not surprised by these semi-finals. In fact, before the knockout stages began I predicted that Belgium vs France and Croatia vs England as the semis! Unfortunately the only way I can win my office world cup pool is if Croatia beats England (and France doesn't win the world cup), so... go Croatia?
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 10, 2018 15:20:27 GMT
Not this year. It's coming home, it's coming home, footballs coming home...
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Post by oilersgm on Jul 10, 2018 16:19:06 GMT
Not this year. It's coming home, it's coming home, footballs coming home... But China didn't even make it to the world cup?  (https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-game/index.html) |
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Post by oilersgm on Jul 11, 2018 20:56:01 GMT
Sorry Stephen (and any other England fans)
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 11, 2018 21:05:13 GMT
Yeah yeah and ice hockey comes from the Netherlands...
Can't say i'm suprised, we didn't play well and if your only decent forward isn't playing well you can't really do anything. Raheem stirling is a complete waste of space as a forward at international level, he doesnt have what it takes and it has shown in every game. Rashford and Vardy are no better.
Hopefully we cant find someone better for the next world cup. All of these players (except the aforementioned) and Young, should be there.
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Post by oilersgm on Jul 11, 2018 21:18:27 GMT
Sterling is good at drawing defenders out of position, but he definitely doesn't convert enough chances. Still, he and Rashford are both still very young. Vardy seems like more of a counterattacking player, which only really makes sense if you're expecting to concede possession - which England shouldn't. So I'm not surprised he hasn't done much.
Overall the team was super young - I mean, only Young (33), Cahill (32), and Vardy (31) were over 28. Nine players, including Kane, Pickford, Stones, Sterling, and Alli, are still not 25. So minus Young, Cahill, and Vardy, this entire team could be back for both the 2020 Euros and 2022 World Cup. That's a pretty good position to be in, especially when you add in other potential starters (I mean, Liverpool alone could offer 21 year old Gomez, 24 year old Oxlade-Chamberlain, and 20 year old Solanke).
Anyway, England had a good tournament overall, lots to build on for 2020 and 2022. Certainly they look better than any other time in the last 20+ years.
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Post by Stephen (League Admin) on Jul 11, 2018 23:33:10 GMT
The problem with sterling being a one trick pony is that when the other forward isnt producing for what ever reason, it means we have limited attacking options. We were saved by Gareth southgate and the work hes put in on set pieces. I would rather have seen him in midfield with rashford up front.
Should be a good team for the next few years.
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i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 