World Cup 2018

[Doha]

This is going to be a long 90 minutes of cynical fouls and cheating from Panama.

 

Told you.

 

Lost count of the elbows.

 

Important we don't commit to 50/50s now and avoid injury/picking up bookings if we retaliate to provocation.

[SourceOfTheTrent]

I take it back about no mugs. Taking nothing away from England, Panama are garbage.

[VantaaVale]

Panama have pressed the self destruct button.

[Jacko51]

Anyone concerned about our finishing now?😁

[RailwayRowdy]

Anyone concerned about our finishing now?

 

Yes, I am. What happens in this game is irrelevant. England wouldn’t have done this to Vale.

 

For Stones’ second goal Sterling AGAIN missed from 3 yards. 2 penalties also. Credit to England for putting them to the sword, but it’s hardly a competitive match is it ?

[RailwayRowdy]

For all England’s dominance and Kane’s goals, Trippier is the best player on the park. His set piece deliveries have resulted in goals, something we’ve not seen from England for quite a while.

[For Us All]

The Scot's won't be happy.😂

 

#Hattrickharry

[For Us All]

Yes, I am. What happens in this game is irrelevant. England wouldn’t have done this to Vale.

 

For Stones’ second goal Sterling AGAIN missed from 3 yards. 2 penalties also. Credit to England for putting them to the sword, but it’s hardly a competitive match is it ?

 

You can only beat what's in front of you.

Belgium could only put three past this lot.

[RailwayRowdy]

You can only beat what's in front of you.

Belgium could only put three past this lot.

 

Agreed. But Panama would struggle in our Div 2. Yes it’s a win but nothing can be read into the result as the opposition were so poor.

 

What is a result is the performances of Trippier. Now that is encouraging. But yet again Sterling was anonymous, even against such poor, poor opponents.

[tommytunstall]

Crikey win 6-1 it can only be a Vale fan who ain't happy. As previous posts have said you can only beat what's in front of you. Onwards n upwards harder tests to come. But let's enjoy today.

Yes, I am. What happens in this game is irrelevant. England wouldn’t have done this to Vale.

 

For Stones’ second goal Sterling AGAIN missed from 3 yards. 2 penalties also. Credit to England for putting them to the sword, but it’s hardly a competitive match is it ?

[geosname]

First half ok..... Second half was cack... good job they were too

[The Kalamazoo Kid]

First half ok..... Second half was cack

 

You're just quoting Sven there, aren't you?!

[RailwayRowdy]

I realise that this a WORLD cup, but having teams competing at this level with the limited (and I’m being kind) ability of Panama does little for the reputation of the competition.

 

The whole idea of the qualifying competition is to ensure we have the BEST teams at the final stages. But do we ?

 

I think we should go back to the system where only 16 teams compete in the final stages.

 

I don’t give two hoots about more teams competing (ie break up of old USSR, Jugoslavia etc)This is supposed to be a celebration of the finest players the world has to offer. Not players of the standard that I used to play against in the Sunday morning Potteries & District League.

[elav trop 1876]

Job done albeit against a couple of world cup minnows , great we are through to the next round and will be interesting if our favourable fixture start helps us bed in for the much tougher opponents.

The goal by Lingard was excellent with movement and quality finish- nice to see the free kicks varying as we had width unlike the Tunisia game where see stood all narrow, I do think our defence looks vulnerable which better teams will make use of the gaps and space it gives and perhaps something to work on v Belgium as this is a free game to work on things and sharpen up even if we lose it doesn't affect us getting into the next round but the tougher competitive experience should hold us in good stead going forward

[CambridgeDon]

I realise that this a WORLD cup, but having teams competing at this level with the limited (and I’m being kind) ability of Panama does little for the reputation of the competition.

 

The whole idea of the qualifying competition is to ensure we have the BEST teams at the final stages. But do we ?

 

I think we should go back to the system where only 16 teams compete in the final stages.

 

I don’t give two hoots about more teams competing (ie break up of old USSR, Jugoslavia etc)This is supposed to be a celebration of the finest players the world has to offer. Not players of the standard that I used to play against in the Sunday morning Potteries & District League.

 

You’re right that it should be the best against the best but FIFA’s awoved aim is global domination as a sport. That’s why the next world cup is in the Middle East and the next In North America. After that, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the next in China or India or even Indonesia (3 of the most populous nations on earth). Their congress is also dominated by developing countries, so I think this is the shape of things to come.