John in Louisiana wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:58 pm
I predicted 3-0 Russia.
After this season following Leeds, I guess I'm used to being reduced to wishing that games were only 85 minutes long.
Saudi Arabia reminded me of Leeds
Lots of tippy-tappy football without creating a shot on goal
Continuously gave the ball away in dangerous areas
Lost count how many times they passed the ball into touch
Weak in the tackle, rarely won a 50/50 ball
Totally disorganised all over the park
Defensively inept especially the two lanky centre-backs
How are this lot rated higher than Russia god only knows although I don't get the rankings at all
Why FIFA should abandon their plans to up the World Cup numbers to 48, summed up in a single game. The Saudi's were absolutely awful, and a team that bad shouldn't be anywhere near a World Cup Finals. Made a mockery of the beautiful game tbh, and Russia should be ashamed that they couldn't put a lot more than 5 past a pub team.
Gandalf wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:52 pm
Why FIFA should abandon their plans to up the World Cup numbers to 48, summed up in a single game. The Saudi's were absolutely awful, and a team that bad shouldn't be anywhere near a World Cup Finals. Made a mockery of the beautiful game tbh, and Russia should be ashamed that they couldn't put a lot more than 5 past a pub team.
FIFA are upping the numbers to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup to be staged in the USA/Canada/Mexico
Russia recorded the second biggest victory ever by a host nation in their opening match at a World Cup tournament after Italy thrashed USA 7-1 in 1934.
1964white wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:01 pm
Two wonderful goals in added-on time for Russia to win 5-0
Only came in late this evening so hadn't seen the result. Certainly wasn't expecting 5-0.
Do you think comrade Putin may have had a word in the dressing room beforehand, geeing the Russian boys up, but also perhaps, highlighting the implications of a poor performance being a life of solitude in the permafrost lands of Eastern Siberia
Muppet the Cat wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:05 pm
Only came in late this evening so hadn't seen the result. Certainly wasn't expecting 5-0.
Do you think comrade Putin may have had a word in the dressing room beforehand, geeing the Russian boys up, but also perhaps, highlighting the implications of a poor performance being a life of solitude in the permafrost lands of Eastern Siberia
More likely he was in the Saudi dressing room threatening an accidental gas leak in their hotel room...
"Never debate an idiot, they'll only drag you down to their level and they have the advantage of experience"
Muppet the Cat wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:05 pm
Only came in late this evening so hadn't seen the result. Certainly wasn't expecting 5-0.
Do you think comrade Putin may have had a word in the dressing room beforehand, geeing the Russian boys up, but also perhaps, highlighting the implications of a poor performance being a life of solitude in the permafrost lands of Eastern Siberia
Lets say I wouldn't wish to be a Russian footballer who falls at the first hurdle