Well played Iran and Ashkhan Dejagah - really unlucky with the header and that penalty claim. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqq4gNxCMAAIeoi.jpg That display should put a few pounds on his head.
Played 20 minutes for us and gave away a penalty. Played 30 minutes for Algeria tonight and scored. Legend! And here is Rafik Halliche's goal v South Korea tonight: [video]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/4D9645A3541092578827525308416_292f4073cac.0.4.1280 4353870008632189.mp4?versionId=ajmP2dmLRckFEbb5cS. SOh.J8jZIki9X[/video]
He scores with his left, he scores with his right and tonight he scores with his 'tummy'. Here is Clint Dempsey's second goal of the tournament. [video]https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/6BCA0F64081092642177060073472_2032ddbc520.0.4.1347 8817854020366899.mp4?versionId=g4H4whR87NGGea4.m_0 63eygLVwbYNQ7[/video] Pity it didn't win the game - USA threw that one away.
Am I wrong or do Fulham players have more goals than any other team in the tournament? 2 for Dempsey 1 for Ruiz 1 for Halliche plus Senderos probably put a couple of own goals, right? We must be on top of the charts.
I'm not an England fan; in fact, I was basically rooting for England to go three 'n' out in the tournament, mainly because I think England's players are unjustifiably worshiped and some have shown themselves to be detestable human beings (Cole and Terry, for instance) ... ... but I find myself now somewhat saddened by the way England have gone out of the tournament. I honestly don't think England - its players in general or Roy in particularly - did anything wrong to deserve this fate. Yes, I expected Italy to win, but I think England played bravely and could easily have won that game. The same is basically true of the Uruguay game - England didn't do anything wrong, per say, but Uruguay played out of their socks and were fortunately, I think, to pull out a win. So while England won't progress, I think the team in 2014 is/was a better than the one on display in SA in 2010, and I hope England fans and the press lay off the players and manager rather than piling on the misery they're all undoubtedly feeling.
I agree with your assessment of the Italy game, DR, but I don't think we were anything like as good against Uruguay. That said, so far the response to England's demise seems a bit more measured than in previous tournaments. I think people had lower (more realistic) expectations and see Roy as doing the best he can in a difficult time. I suspect he's used up his goodwill now though. If we struggle in qualifying, or have a bad Euros in two years time the knives will be out for him. Shame that Clint and your boys couldn't hold on against Portugal. At least goal difference is on their side if they lose to the Germans and Portugal win. Do you think they'll make it?
I knew somehow in the pit of my stomach we'd blow it against Portugal, though I thought we were better team for most of the match. Yeah it's a shame, but I think we'll still get through. A draw puts both Germany and the USA through, and my (German) colleagues are already speculating on the likelihood of some kind of collusion between our two German managers. England, I think, would do well getting a better system in place for bringing along young talent. Spain, France, Belgium and (to a lessor extent) the US have put in place programs to spot and nurture talented young players. But each country's FA had to come to grips with the truth, admit they had problems and then be willing to do something about it. From what I read, Belgium had a "golden generation" back in the mid '80s, but after they faded, Belgium had little football success for more than a decade. Recognizing there was a problem, in the early '00s, their FA set up an entirely different system, with the support of clubs, to fundamentally change the coaching country-wide with a focus on technique and getting kids more touches of the ball (rather than scrimmaging). They also tried to keep their talent longer within their own league, again, ensuring their players get many games and touches. I think if England did something like that, within 20 years you'd be contenders again.
You do realise they weren't in the squad. It's like hating the Australian team because Mark Viduka is over weight.
Indeed, Belgium had good squads in the early to mid 80's reaching the final of the 1980 Euro's and the semi final of the 1986 world cup. They did fade after that and this is certainly the best Belgian side since those days 30 years ago. Sadly, I am old enough to have watched the final of Euro 1980 in a pub. West Germany (as it was then) beat them 2-1 with the winning german goal coming almost on full time and giving the Belgians no time to respond. I think probably the best known player in that squad was Ceulemans (spelling)? Although Meeuws and Gerets were in the squad along with the goalkeeper who had one of my most favourite names for a footballer ever, Pfaff. The German goalkeeper was the soon to be infamous Schumacher along with Rummenigge and Schuster giving the Germans a touch of class.
Ireland, John "I'm not a racist" Terry and Ashley "f--- England fans" Cole, both stalwarts of the England squad for a decade, cast a long shadow in my mind. And Viduka was an obese man trapped in a fat man's body. But I think the point of my post was missed: as the recovery people will tell you, (England) admitting his has a problem is the first step.
To nights game against Costa Rica, i am hoping for an outstanding display from Brian Ruiz, it is pretty obvious he will be away in the summer, so a good performance could add to his transfer value.
You've got to admire him. That shot that hit the bar !! (And thank you Danny Murphy for mentioning, ".. of Fulham"). please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq66Nd4IAAInSW3.jpg Bit of a shock Greece getting through but it's the unpredictability that's made this World Cup rather good. PS Just back on Kara. We really are still missing a "leader" for next season and, my heart at least, says I'd prefer him to Parker.
Agree about the leader. Karas thunderbolt against the bar would have been a great goal. Ruiz cruised through the game. I thought he played well.
I was in Estepona about a month ago. I'm a bar sitting there watching the Championship playoffs. Minding my own business there was a gent with his kids (I assumed), he clearly knew his football. We got talking football, I mentioned im a season ticket holder at FFC and then he told me he was Gary Brazil - no joke. We got talking, said Roy Hodgson was a superb manager and coach. Jol was usless, Meulensteen even worse and reckons Magath will be gone by Christmas. Very important to keep Kit Symons involved with the club. Said he enjoyed his time at FFC but will be along hard slog to get back. Just thought i'd share.
