Thrilling at the end but I think Scotland would have had to count themselves lucky had they got it. Slovenia had the better chances from what I saw. Time to rebuild for the future. Now NI and Wales.
Unfortunately we have very few decent building blocks with which to do that. I'm just happy that we didn't lose - and cranky that we conceded that last minute equaliser against England. But, truth to tell, we wouldn't have got any further - not enough class in the ranks.
To quote an incognito Scottish politician - "Who wants to go to Russia anyway? Snow, talking bears and Trump supporters. No thanks!"
Scotland just lack the world class player Wales have or the defensive organisation NI do. England ourselves have had good fortune in a way - late goals in Scotland against Slovakia/Slovenia. We are just lucky we get to be top seeds for now in qualifying.
Sadly the problems I think are the same across all home nations. England do better based on scale. More English to choose from. Wales, Scotland and NI occasionally get a spirited team together that in part runs on national pride, guts, and belief - but it doesn't last long. Is it the Prem and that locally grown players don't get enough on ball time? Is it the competition from other sports (Rugby, cricket, cycling, triathlon/marathon, .... The home countries pump way above their weight in so many sports. Schools/clubs/academies just not functioning. Lack of great talented coaches. That some idiot thought Scotland look good in pink I guess it is all these things and for that reason I don't see it getting better So the only answer is going to be to manage our expectations. And that is one thing maybe we can learn from Scotland. They always seem to travel in hope, quite often fall at the last hurdle, only for the fans to sing and say with a laugh "we saw that coming" ps. While they are one of the o'enemies I'll always be grateful to the Scots for "There is only one team in Tallinn". That was funny on so many levels
Dutch player done all the hard work - beating the offside trap and going past the goal. Then blazes over from 10 yards! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41558174 What is the worse miss you can remember - been a few!
His team were 2-0 up at the time and lost 2-3, unreal. Honestly, that is hard to beat that miss!! ahhahaha I always remember this one, but it is not in the same classy level as the Dutch lad there.
The worst miss I've ever seen 'live' was by Terry Garbett. I can't for the life of me remember who the opposition were, but it was at The Vic - Vicarage Road end, an open goal, virtually on the goal line, right in the middle - and he spooned the ball over the bar.
I used to support Wales simply because at one time our only international players always seemed to be Welsh U23s - John Thomas Walley, Mickey Walker, Bernie Lewis...
Micket, Mickey Walker, Mickey, Mickey Walker, Mickey, Mickey Walker, Mickey, Mickey Walker, Mickey Mickey Walker, Mickey, Mickey Walker, Hooray Those were the days. You'll never take the rookery, You'll never take the rookery, You'll never take the rookery,
A typical Martin O'Neil pulling a result out of the bag trick? Not joy for Wales again - bit like Scotland. So close yet so far.
Didn't see the game - typical sort of away performance? Soak up the pressure and nick a goal. Hard luck Wales but Ireland do seem able to pull a result out when they need one.
Mark they had a strong 4-5-1 and stiffled most attacks. Despite lots of possession Wales rarely got players and ball into the box. And whenever Ireland had a set piece danger loomed- Would have been different with Bale and if Joe Allen had't been lost so early. But all teams have their losses, that's all part and parcel. But enjoyed the game and glad one of the two got through.
Second half of extra time about to start in the Australia v Syria WC match - score 1-1. Syria doing remarkably well really - but annoyingly appear to have mastered the art of 'game management'. Australia appear to suffer from Scotland's problem - complete lack of quality players. They're relying heavily on Tim Cahill...
