International football today

[King Binny]

 

[Hyena]

2 goals for Sakho, not sure if the 2nd one was an own goal after all.

Depressing game, our only available RB had no experience playing against an attacker of Ribery's caliber and got skinned every time Frank had the ball. That's what happens when you have a thin squad - there was a gaping hole and no way to cover it up (the RB who stopped Ribery in Kiev missed the game due to suspension). Overall, it has to be said France looked much better and we had no answers - but all 3 goals we conceded were scrappy and unnecessary, and the 2nd one was from a clear, obvious offside that the officials missed.

Our CB earned his 2nd yellow in the 1st minute of the 2nd half - his first was for some unnecessary argument with Sakho, where Sakho was doing most of the talking. After that Ribery and Benzema had a few opportunities to put the game to bed, but the nerves got better of them too. We had a couple of half chances, but did not do enough to legitimately complain about being unlucky (even though we were). Like I said, a thoroughly depressing game, where you can't even quite give credit to the other team and say they deserved it, because the French didn't take their opportunities either - just profited from our (and the ref's) mistakes. First, scrappy goal from Sakho, then a scrappy goal from way offside, then red card, then a poor own goal from the midfielder who replaced the hapless RB. Shit.

The only positive for me is Sakho looked great.

The other positive is that hopefully with Ukraine out, we can sneak in and sign Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka in the summer without their teams holding out for a windfall! (sorry)

 

[rurikbird]

The other positive is that hopefully with Ukraine out, we can sneak in and sign Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka in the summer without their teams holding out for a windfall! (sorry)

That would be great. I like Konoplyanka more and more now; he is very quick but not one-dimensional like some other wingers. He managed to break free and use his pace a couple of times today despite being outnumbered and having no support, but his final ball was poor. Yarmolenko didn't do much of anything today, but he was playing way too deep trying to contain Ribery, who was having a field day with the defender who was supposed to mark him. I feel bad for the lads, it must be crushing.

 

[Frogfish]

Absolutely zero surprises in that lot. I really really hoped Iceland, Ukraine & Sweden could do it tonight. Bollocks.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

If Woy had balls, he'd be starting Luke Shaw in the world cup.

 

[Leo]

After one bad game for Cole?
Don't be knee jerking.
Cole has probably been England's most consistent player out of his generation.
Shaw has huge potential but he's way off Cole and Baines at the moment.

 

[gkmacca]

PSG forward Ibrahimovic stated that his absence from the tournament will render the World Cup finals meaningless.

"One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch so it is not worthwhile to wait for the World Cup," Ibrahimovic declared on his app, Zlatan Unplugged.

 

[LarryHagman]

If Woy had balls, he'd be starting Luke Shaw in the world cup.

Based on what? Baines being better than him every day of the week?

 

[SummerOnions]

Absolutely zero surprises in that lot. I really really hoped Iceland, Ukraine & Sweden could do it tonight. Bollocks.

Bosnia isn't a surprise?

 

[King Binny]

Mexico are very lucky to have the chance of Intercontinental Play-Offs. They have had a poor qualifying campaign. In fact, Panama could've clinched 4th had USA not scored 2 injury time goals in the final qualifier. The likes of Honduras and Costa Rica deserve credit for finishing ahead of them. Similarly for Ecuador too (ahead of Uruguay, albeit by GD).

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Mexico are very lucky to have the chance of Intercontinental Play-Offs. They have had a poor qualifying campaign. In fact, Panama could've clinched 4th had USA not scored 2 injury time goals in the final qualifier. The likes of Honduras and Costa Rica deserve credit for finishing ahead of them. Similarly for Ecuador too (ahead of Uruguay, albeit by GD).

I think Egypt won something like 7 of their 8 qualifiers and missed out whereas Mexico won like 3 or 4 of their 11 qualifying matches.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Based on what? Baines being better than him every day of the week?

Based on how he's been performing in the league. Baines is a far far better attacking FB, Shaw is a better defending FB. Gives a bit more freedom to their wingers to cause havoc.

 

[Frogfish]

Bosnia isn't a surprise?

Not particularly. It might be the first time they've qualified but they were favourites for the group as far as I was concerned anyway. Greece on a downer and Bosnia have had a good team for 4-6 years now.

 

[King Binny]

OptaJoe ‏@OptaJoe3h
75% - If Uruguay qualify, 75% of the teams who participated at the 2010 World Cup finals will also feature in the 2014 edition. Clique.

 

[King Binny]

 

[gkmacca]

Uruguay match is live at 10.45 tonight on LFCTV.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Seven changes for Uruguay but Suarez starts.

 

[OLD_Lewy]

i'll be shocked if suarez doesnt get injured in this game, jordan are flying around everywhere with fouls