Enjoyed Welsh game too. Deserved something out of it. I believe England have already played the worst team in the group.
Wales were awful in that first half, but improved immeasurably when the game plan was changed with Moore's introduction. England should walk this group. Be interesting to see what happens if a draw suits both England and Wales in the last group game.
Enjoyed Welsh game too. Deserved something out of it. I believe England have already played the worst team in the group.
Wales were awful in that first half, but improved immeasurably when the game plan was changed with Moore's introduction. England should walk this group. Be interesting to see what happens if a draw suits both England and Wales in the last group game.
Enjoyed Welsh game too. Deserved something out of it. I believe England have already played the worst team in the group.
Wales were awful in that first half, but improved immeasurably when the game plan was changed with Moore's introduction. England should walk this group. Be interesting to see what happens if a draw suits both England and Wales in the last group game.
Fortunately, the chances of a stitch-up have lessened due to the last group games being played simultaneously since that infamous Germany-Austria farce of many years ago, but it is still possible.
A more comprehensive American take on it :
In view of the way additional minutes are being added on recently, I wonder if there would be merit in ensuring that the second halves kick off at the same moment. Again, it wouldn't be watertight against a stitch-up, but it might help.
The amount of added time in games so far is ridiculous. Obviously there was a shedload at the end of the first half of the England game, due to the Iran goalie's injury, but I think it was 10 added on in the second half. Crazy. Similar amount added on to the end of the Wales game. I have no idea what the refs are thinking doing that.
Last Edit: Nov 22, 2022 9:57:58 GMT by Northgate Red
The amount of added time in games so far is ridiculous. Obviously there was a shedload at the end of the first half of the England game, due to the Iran goalie's injury, but I think it was 10 added on in the second half. Crazy. Similar amount added on to the end of the Wales game. I have no idea what the refs are thinking doing that.
So long as there is prior, meaningful consultation, I reckon it may not be a bad thing to have a shorter match but stop the clock EVERY time the ball goes dead. It would mean that timekeeping responsiblities are removed from the referee, maybe a fifth official purely as a timekeeper. There would need to be a study on how long the ball is dead in a typical match though. My guess would be 35 minute halves, but it would clearly fluctuate, so a mean average would have to be calculated. Perhaps take the average of 500 games globally over, say, a one-year period, and then add x minutes to ensure supporters aren't shortchanged. It could also remove these petty yellow cards for timewasting when its unclear whether illicit timewasting is taking place. There would no longer be any advantage to running down the clock, other than by legitimate means when the ball is live. Ball in keeper's arms may be an exception but this could be overcome.
I can see a change broadly similar to this taking place in the coming years, but it might only be at the higher levels of the game. It seems to be heading that way.
Saudi Arabia somehow leading Argentina and it's into stoppage time. No pretence of playing out from the back. Saudi defenders looking at a future career in agriculture.
Saudi Arabia somehow leading Argentina and it's into stoppage time. No pretence of playing out from the back. Saudi defenders looking at a future career in agriculture.
Heroic by the Saudis. Anyone see Souness and Keane go at each other at half time? . Must be the heat!
...and now Japan beat the Germans!. Got to say, some of the football at this tournament has been fun to watch so far. Oh well, Spain up next for the Germans!