Real lack of interest in this WC, maybe that will change nearer the time.
Would not get too complacent with that group. Yes we are looking stronger these days but history shows we’re more than capable of making very hard work of it none-the-less.
Real lack of interest in this WC, maybe that will change nearer the time.
Would not get too complacent with that group. Yes we are looking stronger these days but history shows we’re more than capable of making very hard work of it none-the-less.
I’d agree. In small groups, three for a win and only one for a draw can make things iffy if you play well and draw.
Real lack of interest in this WC, maybe that will change nearer the time.
Would not get too complacent with that group. Yes we are looking stronger these days but history shows we’re more than capable of making very hard work of it none-the-less.
I was very scathing of the Group and Scotland when it was announced
But fully expect all three Nations that we play to sit behind the ball grab a point and if the opportunity is there, take all three - They'll then play more expansive against each other to get through
Its why I'm not overly a fan of potentially having Wales in our Group, as its pretty much what they did @ Euro 2016 against us - Especially in the second half of that game
Thankfully under Southgate it feels as though we've learnt to deal with that sort of defensive approach from opponents, so am a little more confident than I would have been in previous years.
All the clubs will have something to play for - it is November
So it is! I suspect that there will still be some players who will be "forced" to miss a game or two by having a minor injury. Holding it at that time of year is also great news from the perspective that it won't impact on cricket in the summer.
If things go well in Qatar, and we don’t fluff our lines in the Group stage, the Q/F are as far as we can reasonably expect to go. As soon as we meet any Top 10 team in a major competition we must lose, it’s the law
Has anybody seen a guide to the second round (onwards) match ups?
I.e. If we win the group, which 2nd place tram do we play? Group A?
I assume there is now a clear 2 sides to the draw to see who we can't meet until the final?
Group B winner v Group A runner up in round of 16.
The winner would play Group D winner or Group C runner up in a quarter final.
Any potential semi final would be against Group F winner, Group H winner or Group E runner-up, Group G runner-up.
If England finish runners up, flip everything above into reverse. - Group A winner in round of 16, Group C winner or Group D runner-up in quarter-final. Semi final against Group E winner, Group G winner or Group F runner-up, Group H runner-up.
In terms of Pot 1 teams, you have England, France, Belgium and Portugal on one "side" of the knockout. Then Qatar, Argentina, Spain and Brazil on the other.
Assume all Pot 1 teams win groups and make it to the QF, you would have the following games:
Qatar v Argentina Spain v Brazil
England v France Belgium v Portugal
Anyone else essentially seeing Netherlands as the seed in Qatar's group?
I feel like the outside of Europe World Cups always have some really strange results, so I wouldn't be predicting any QF fixtures just yet. It wasn't long ago that Costa Rica topped a group containing England, Italy and Uruguay. Saying that, We should be very happy with the draw on paper and I have full confidence in Southgate and this group of players getting the job done.
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand; how can Scotland/Wales be drawn in our group. But Iran v Saudi Arabia can’t happen and Brazil v Uruguay can’t happen?
Scotland and Wales will be independent nations by the time the World Cup finals take place. FIFA already been tipped off.
What will Mr Johnson say when he eventually finds out?
actually prefer they have chosen times after the games. Would make no sense for us to play USA at 10AM, which is rubbish for European and American viewers.
Watching this in the US and with their flag waving only USA slant, that catweazle guy who used to play center back of sorts for US about 30 years ago has answered the presenters question about a “path to the World Cup” saying he is very pleased with the draw and, with references to ‘98, states that every match in the group is easily winnable. I never feel that way about the England team, and this is the claptrap we have to listen to over here, remembering that they secured qualification behind Mexico and Canada by avoiding a 6 goal defeat to Costa Rica…..the hung on for a 2-0 loss……
I hope we absolutely stuff them
Will be an interesting game, wonder if it will be decided by a penalty shot in the fourth quarter...?
Shouldn't be too worried if Diana Ross is taking it.
Impossible not to look forward to Ghana v Uruguay after the last time too. Still some real hatred after Suarez and one of those ‘World Cup moments’ for the ages
If things go well in Qatar, and we don’t fluff our lines in the Group stage, the Q/F are as far as we can reasonably expect to go. As soon as we meet any Top 10 team in a major competition we must lose, it’s the law
That's because the FA continuously appointed managers who were either tactically inept, or they simply didn't give a shit (Fabio capello)
Gareth Southgate, on the other hand, isn't a bad manager and I believe he is still learning, and learning well.
We beat the Germans in the knockout stage last year. At least that's something.
Italy were just about the better side on the day and we blew it, but I believe this squad is still growing and is capable of more.
My only fear is the Harry Maguire situation. Fans booing him is really stupid.
He's obviously not good enough for Man United and it's not going well, but that's no one else's problem.
He certainly was good enough at the euros. If he gets completely drained of confidence, he will need full replacing asap.
Impossible not to look forward to Ghana v Uruguay after the last time too. Still some real hatred after Suarez and one of those ‘World Cup moments’ for the ages
Korea knocking out Germany doesn’t get the respect. The day when Germany became vulnerable/
I love the group stages of major tournaments - wall to wall football! This year I've packed in work so already relishing the idea of kick offs at 10/1/4/7.
If we can't top a group of USA, Iran (interesting match there...) And one of the minnows of Europe, or Ukraine, who's team will probably be too busy fighting a war to play, then we may as well retire from international football as a nation
We finished 2nd back in 2010 (USA, Slovenia and Algeria in our group then)....but this is a different England and we should piss that group.
No England games, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue as we get closer to the tournament. Iran/USA will clash with England’s 3rd group game, but there is something about that match that feels like it’s one that could be a ‘special’ one to attend, for lack of a better term.
Am going to try and get to see France and Portugal whilst out there too.
Excitement has definitely kicked in again since the draw yesterday.
No England games, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue as we get closer to the tournament. Iran/USA will clash with England’s 3rd group game, but there is something about that match that feels like it’s one that could be a ‘special’ one to attend, for lack of a better term.
Am going to try and get to see France and Portugal whilst out there too.
Excitement has definitely kicked in again since the draw yesterday.
Well done for getting those tickets and getting involved
Germany Vs Spain will surely be worth a lot of money later in the year.
No England games, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue as we get closer to the tournament. Iran/USA will clash with England’s 3rd group game, but there is something about that match that feels like it’s one that could be a ‘special’ one to attend, for lack of a better term.
Am going to try and get to see France and Portugal whilst out there too.
Excitement has definitely kicked in again since the draw yesterday.
Its worth noting there are three games on a Saturday @ 3pm (2nd Round | Quarter-Final | 3rd Place)
So if we're home / away on those dates
Be fully prepared for the Charlton game to be moved to 1pm if there is the potential for a clash with England e.g.
the Second Round game definitely involve England if we finish 2nd in the Group the Quarter-Final game will definitely involve England if we win the Group and get through the 2nd Round the third place game will obviously involve England if we lose in the Semi-Finals
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand; how can Scotland/Wales be drawn in our group. But Iran v Saudi Arabia can’t happen and Brazil v Uruguay can’t happen?
Because that rule counts for all confederations except Europe. Each group can have 2 European teams but only one from other confederations.
Comments
But fully expect all three Nations that we play to sit behind the ball grab a point and if the opportunity is there, take all three - They'll then play more expansive against each other to get through
Its why I'm not overly a fan of potentially having Wales in our Group, as its pretty much what they did @ Euro 2016 against us - Especially in the second half of that game
Thankfully under Southgate it feels as though we've learnt to deal with that sort of defensive approach from opponents, so am a little more confident than I would have been in previous years.
FIFA already been tipped off.
What will Mr Johnson say when he eventually finds out?
7PM for USA
7PM for final game
actually prefer they have chosen times after the games. Would make no sense for us to play USA at 10AM, which is rubbish for European and American viewers.
That's because the FA continuously appointed managers who were either tactically inept, or they simply didn't give a shit (Fabio capello)
Gareth Southgate, on the other hand, isn't a bad manager and I believe he is still learning, and learning well.
We beat the Germans in the knockout stage last year. At least that's something.
Italy were just about the better side on the day and we blew it, but I believe this squad is still growing and is capable of more.
My only fear is the Harry Maguire situation. Fans booing him is really stupid.
He's obviously not good enough for Man United and it's not going well, but that's no one else's problem.
He certainly was good enough at the euros. If he gets completely drained of confidence, he will need full replacing asap.
21st. USA VS Wales/Scot/Ukraine
22nd. Argentina vs Saudi Arabia
23rd. Morocco vs Croatia
24th. Brazil vs Serbia
26th. Argentina vs Mexico
27th. Spain vs Germany
28th. South Korea vs Ghana
29th. Iran vs USA
30th. Poland vs Argentina
1st. Japan vs Spain
2nd. Ghana vs Uruguay
No England games, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue as we get closer to the tournament. Iran/USA will clash with England’s 3rd group game, but there is something about that match that feels like it’s one that could be a ‘special’ one to attend, for lack of a better term.
Am going to try and get to see France and Portugal whilst out there too.
Excitement has definitely kicked in again since the draw yesterday.
Well done for getting those tickets and getting involved
Germany Vs Spain will surely be worth a lot of money later in the year.
Who am I kidding? I was going to do that for Qatar v Ecuador anyway…
England v USA at Al Bayt Stadium (this is also where Group B winner will play round of 16, quarter final and semi final)
Wales or Scotland/Ukraine v England at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Its worth noting there are three games on a Saturday @ 3pm (2nd Round | Quarter-Final | 3rd Place)
So if we're home / away on those dates
Be fully prepared for the Charlton game to be moved to 1pm if there is the potential for a clash with England e.g.
the Second Round game definitely involve England if we finish 2nd in the Group
the Quarter-Final game will definitely involve England if we win the Group and get through the 2nd Round
the third place game will obviously involve England if we lose in the Semi-Finals
I can’t see many teams keeping their 3pm kickoff time.
Group D : Tunisia v UAE/Australia/Peru (10:00), France v Denmark (16:00)
The France Denmark game is the only one that clashes with 3pm kickoffs. I imagine clubs will show the 1pm game on TVs and big screens at the grounds