Oh dear, just what we didn't want - controversial decisions and a dubious refereeing performance. Mr Yuichi Nishimura got two key decisions wrong - the penalty gift to Brazil and Croatia's disallowed goal - which made it 2-1 to Brazil when it might have been 2-1 to Croatia. I'm not convinced Neymar's swinging arm was worth a red card, but got the yellow it deserved.
Of course, in a few days' time - when most teams have played and the tournament has other talking points - these decisions in the opening game will be largely forgotten. Croatia will probably qualify from Group A - they looked more than capable of doing so - and things will quieten down.
BUT, these poor decisions have given Brazil lift-off. Imagine if they had only managed to claw back to salvage a 2-2 draw. Imagine if Neymar had been sent off - and banned from the next game. That would have put a whole different complexion on proceedings.
We have had a whole lot of punter reaction to the decisions, but what do FIFA say? Nothing. Their website has a quote from Brazil boss Felipe Scolari and their 'match report' contains only facts and figures.
We don't want a tournament ruined by poor refereeing.
I did like the shaving foam sprayed down for ten yards at free kicks, though!
Showing posts with label Croatia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Croatia. Show all posts
Friday, 13 June 2014
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
European play-offs throw up interesting ties
The European play-offs for the World Cup threw up some interesting ties - and emphasised the importance of England qualifying top of the group rather than having to make it through the play-off system.
The ties with the teams' current FIFA rankings are:
The ties with the teams' current FIFA rankings are:
Portugal (14) v Sweden (25)
France (21) v Ukraine (20)
Greece (15) v Romania (29)
Iceland (46) v Croatia (18)
Imagine if England had failed to win their group and had to face France to qualify! As it is Ukraine, seeded as one of the top-four ranked teams, have a tough draw facing the country one below them in the rankings.
Portugal and Sweden provide a tasty looking tie, but there will be fewer British eyes watching Greece battle with Romania or Iceland tussle with Croatia.
Portugal, France, Romania and Croatia are my picks to make it to Brazil.
I hope these are on TV, so we get a chance to watch without suffering!
The two-legged ties will be played on 15 November and 19 November.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
5-1 - England qualify for the World Cup finals
Well, blow me, England delivered in style last night. All doubts about World Cup qualification dispelled in an exciting and enterprising first half which ended with a two-goal lead which really should have been double that.
Cheered on by a boisterous crowd - the atmosphere definitely enhanced by undaunted and undiminished Croatian supporters - England rose to the occasion and were good value for the 5-1 win.
Fabio Capello has made this collection of good - with one or two very good - players into a team - something Steve McClaren patently failed to do. It comprehensively demonstrates the value of having a top manager in charge. The riches that English football (World Cup qualification is reported to be worth around £100 million) will reap from the World Cup make Capello's salary dwarf into insignifance. Well done Fabio!
And well done the England players, many of whom shone: Lennon, Johnson, Gerrard, Lampard were excellent; Terry, Cole, Barry and Rooney were very good.
The biggest doubt must remain about Heskey. Although he obviously stands out as a target man, his heading wasn't great, his control was poor, and his finishing was woeful. Nevertheless, he is a handful for the opposition, and Capello is likely to stick with him for some time yet.
As for Beckham - he got the biggest roar of the night when he came on, and he still looks worthy of a squad place.
Cheered on by a boisterous crowd - the atmosphere definitely enhanced by undaunted and undiminished Croatian supporters - England rose to the occasion and were good value for the 5-1 win.
Fabio Capello has made this collection of good - with one or two very good - players into a team - something Steve McClaren patently failed to do. It comprehensively demonstrates the value of having a top manager in charge. The riches that English football (World Cup qualification is reported to be worth around £100 million) will reap from the World Cup make Capello's salary dwarf into insignifance. Well done Fabio!
And well done the England players, many of whom shone: Lennon, Johnson, Gerrard, Lampard were excellent; Terry, Cole, Barry and Rooney were very good.
The biggest doubt must remain about Heskey. Although he obviously stands out as a target man, his heading wasn't great, his control was poor, and his finishing was woeful. Nevertheless, he is a handful for the opposition, and Capello is likely to stick with him for some time yet.
As for Beckham - he got the biggest roar of the night when he came on, and he still looks worthy of a squad place.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
England v Croatia
Tonight it's England v Croatia in the World Cup qualifier, and a win for England will see them qualify for South Africa 2010 with two games to spare.
Indeed, should Ukraine and Belarus draw their game earlier in the day, then England will only need a draw to qualify.
If it sounds simple, then consider that the last time England met Croatia at Wembley it was a European Championship qualifier and England only needed a draw against the Croatians who had already qualified. And we lost 3-2.
Wembley should not play host to "Mr Cock-up" this evening, thank you very much!
Of course, since that dreadful defeat, England have travelled to Croatia and beaten them 4-1 in an earlier World Cup qualifier. Advantage England.
If England do mess things up tonight, there are still two games left and a win in either would suffice to give them the group win. Those games are Ukraine away on 10th October, and Belarus at home on Wednesday 14th October.
We wouldn't want to leave it that late, would we?
Indeed, should Ukraine and Belarus draw their game earlier in the day, then England will only need a draw to qualify.
If it sounds simple, then consider that the last time England met Croatia at Wembley it was a European Championship qualifier and England only needed a draw against the Croatians who had already qualified. And we lost 3-2.
Wembley should not play host to "Mr Cock-up" this evening, thank you very much!
Of course, since that dreadful defeat, England have travelled to Croatia and beaten them 4-1 in an earlier World Cup qualifier. Advantage England.
If England do mess things up tonight, there are still two games left and a win in either would suffice to give them the group win. Those games are Ukraine away on 10th October, and Belarus at home on Wednesday 14th October.
We wouldn't want to leave it that late, would we?
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
How on earth did this happen?
As England approach their latest World Cup qualifier with Croatia, it brings back to mind the European qualifier of two years ago and England's 3-2 home defeat to the same nation. With Steve McClaren in charge.
How did we come to end up with this man in charge? For he unquestionably proved incapable of doing the job.
Following the era of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the clamour of the English press was for a return to an Englishman to take charge. McClaren had managed Middlesbrough and won the League Cup in 2004 and finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 2006. He was also assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United won the Treble in 1999. That was apparently enough. It reminded some of us of the appointment of Graham Taylor, who had only had minor successes with Watford.
However, the choices were few. Glenn Hoddle had been sacked and Kevin Keegan had resigned prior to Sven's appointment, but the dearth of English managers in the English league (and the situation is just as bad now) meant that McClaren's flimsy CV was sufficient to get him the job. (Note that the last England manager to win the English league was Howard Wilkinson with Leeds United in 1992.)
McClaren managed England between 1 August 2006 and 22 November 2007, and was dubbed 'The Wally with a Brolly', after he used an umbrella to protect himself from rain during his final game in charge.
Note to the English press: Be careful what you wish for!
How did we come to end up with this man in charge? For he unquestionably proved incapable of doing the job.
Following the era of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the clamour of the English press was for a return to an Englishman to take charge. McClaren had managed Middlesbrough and won the League Cup in 2004 and finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 2006. He was also assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United won the Treble in 1999. That was apparently enough. It reminded some of us of the appointment of Graham Taylor, who had only had minor successes with Watford.
However, the choices were few. Glenn Hoddle had been sacked and Kevin Keegan had resigned prior to Sven's appointment, but the dearth of English managers in the English league (and the situation is just as bad now) meant that McClaren's flimsy CV was sufficient to get him the job. (Note that the last England manager to win the English league was Howard Wilkinson with Leeds United in 1992.)
McClaren managed England between 1 August 2006 and 22 November 2007, and was dubbed 'The Wally with a Brolly', after he used an umbrella to protect himself from rain during his final game in charge.
Note to the English press: Be careful what you wish for!
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