Yay! International week! (feat. u17 world cup) [5/10 - 10/10]

[Magic]

I'm not going to profess to be an expert on how things roll in the glens, but I've heard it said that kids just don't play football anymore. If you think from the 60s to the sort of early 90s they had an incredible production line of players and coaches.

It is. The standard is appalling, especially when you speak to the older guys that have been there done that. It isn't rose tinted glasses either as we all know. Apparently the only saving grace is women's football seems to be getting better at a youth level. Hooray!

[Adramelch]

Was Scotland the favourite to qualify over Slovakia or what?

[Magic]

No, Slovakia have Hamsik who is a million times better than all our players put together. I think we probably should have finished below Slovenia as well.

[Lewis]

The regulars at Alex's Fergusons pub accounted for about eighty per cent of the national football knowledge, and they must all be dead now.

[Adramelch]

I mean I understand being disappointed especially since it was in your hands in the last game, but it feels like a bit of overreaction.

[Magic]

I mean I understand being disappointed especially since it was in your hands in the last game, but it feels like a bit of overreaction.

I guess it's just total disappointment, yet again, and we were totally spoilt until the late 90s given the size of our nation. We've also seen Wales do really well at an international tournament.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Was Scotland the favourite to qualify over Slovakia or what?

No but this is Britain and our teams have a sense that we should be winning, regardless of the actual quality available.

[Magic]

No but this is Britain and our teams have a sense that we should be winning, regardless of the actual quality available*.

*doesn't apply in England's case, whereby we are told that the players are THE BEST IN THE WORLD on a weekly basis, until they pull on an England shirt and apparently become third-rate Slavic level.

[Giggles]

One auto and two playoff is decent enough going for Britain. You'd call it par.

[niko_cee]

Almost thought you were bundling the Republic in with GB then until I adjusted for natural pessimism.

[-james-]

I don't really get the Strachan hate. He's just led them to the best campaign in a decade, and it's hardly a golden generation.

[Magic]

I don't really get the Strachan hate. He's just led them to the best campaign in a decade, and it's hardly a golden generation.

It was absolutely fucking dreadful barring the past 4 games really. Look at some sides that have fucking atrocious players, far worse than us, that can qualify and have decent tournaments. It's all about the coaching, management and tactics.

[Giggles]

Almost thought you were bundling the Republic in with GB then until I adjusted for natural pessimism.

:D definitely not.

We were never qualifying if we left it to this game needing a result as there's not a hope this side can go away and win a game vs equal-ish opposition. The 3 group games before Moldova are the reason this team will rightly be sitting at home. The only really low point is that they've given that dinosaur another contract anyway.

[phonics]

If the Wales game ends 1-1 and the Croatia game ends 2-2 and the ref doesn't have a breakdown, Wales will finish 3rd due to cumulative yellow cards.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Ukraine v Croatia game fascinates me. Either will qualify with a win, and has an outside chance of automatic if Iceland somehow fuck up, but a draw will (to >95% probability) eliminate both. If it's 0-0 with say 10 minutes to go are they going to both go 2-3-5 and hail mary it forward?

[Giggles]

The Ukraine v Croatia game fascinates me. Either will qualify with a win, and has an outside chance of automatic if Iceland somehow fuck up, but a draw will (to >95% probability) eliminate both. If it's 0-0 with say 10 minutes to go are they going to both go 2-3-5 and hail mary it forward?

Sounds like that's the one I'm watching.

[Amigo]

I've never been so nervous before a game in my life.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Funnily enough I just went on the main Icelandic daily newspaper website to see just how HYPED they are. Sure enough, they speak of little else:

https://i.imgur.com/m9XFaUb.jpg

[Max Power]

Don’t know whether to go Wales/Ireland or Ukraine/Croatia. The latter will be a better game but feel oddly investing in Ireland’s campaign from listening to Second Captains for however many years.

[John Arne]

Ireland to win 2-0.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll be on the British match, will have enough ghoulish post-Soviet stadium vibes in my life next summer.

[Max Power]

Can’t pass up a chance to see Daryl Murphy in action. I will be standing up for The Boys In Green.

[Giggles]

Ukraine Croatia for me if anyone is showing it, sounds set up to be good

[Magic]

Any decent players on show in that south slav derby?

[Bernanke]

Any decent players on show in that south slav derby?

A Modric who is very vocal about the current manager being shit perhaps? Potential scenes if they lose.

[Giggles]

Is Shevchenko still with Ukraine?

[Giggles]

It's on fucking red button though.

[Bernanke]

Is Shevchenko still with Ukraine?

He is 41, so... no.

Yarmolenko is decent enough.

[Foe]

Can’t pass up a chance to see Daryl Murphy in action. I will be standing up for The Boys In Green.

The Irish fans were absolutely mental in France so TBIG qualifying would be a good thing I think. They'd certainly bring the party.

How many Irish bars are there in Kaliningrad?

[Giggles]

He is 41, so... no.

Yarmolenko is decent enough.

Was he not manager?

[Bernanke]

Was he not manager?

Huh, had completely missed that. Yep, still there.

[phonics]

Shevchenko quit the Ukraine job to take up politics post-Crimea but his party lost and got back in after the last guy was binned. Klitschko is still Mayor of Kiev though.

[phonics]

Just found out the Wales Ireland game is on Sky, what a shitter. I've now got a box that does basic Freeview but it doesn't do any of the local stuff so no BBC Cyrmu for me.

[Giggles]

Just found out the Wales Ireland game is on Sky, what a shitter. I've now got a box that does basic Freeview but it doesn't do any of the local stuff so no BBC Cyrmu for me.

Doesn't pick up any of the Irish channels does it? It's on RTÉ2.

[Giggles]

Midfield is the main difference in the game in Cardiff. There's not one Irish player in that area even half the player Ramsey and Allen are.

[Ian]

They're bigger than Joe Allen though, which means they're better.

[Foe]

Jeff Hendrick is a very solid cm. completely under rated.

[Giggles]

Jeff Hendrick is a very solid cm. completely under rated.

He's been dire any time he's lined out since the European Championships. Brady in midfield is dogshit too, plus another night of being subjected to the worst set pieces you'll ever see. Arter has never had a good game for us and fuck know where McLean is playing but he'll most likely get sent off.

At least Irelands greatest living sportsman is still there and still has the armband. He can't play football though.

[Pleb]

"Sing the Welsh anthem like you never sang it before."

Okay and then turn off the music while your at it.

[Samadini]

At least Irelands greatest living sportsman is still there and still has the armband. He can't play football though.

I don't know who that is, but I hope it's Daryl Murphy, what a bloke.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Thank God they turned the music off, should be done for all anthems. Will probably get a FIFA fine for being off-brand though.

[Adramelch]

Thank God they turned the music off, should be done for all anthems. Will probably get a FIFA fine for being off-brand though.

That would be quite something for the spanish anthem.

[Giggles]

That would be quite something for the spanish anthem.

The Spanish anthem is horse shit in comparison to the Welsh one though. The latter is the only reason to tune into 2 minutes of rugby coverage.

[Adramelch]

The Spanish anthem is horse shit in comparison to the Welsh one though. The latter is the only reason to tune into 2 minutes of rugby coverage.

My point was that the Spanish anthem has no actual lyrics. Granted I'm not watching the game so I might have misunderstood the whole thing.

[Giggles]

I don't know who that is, but I hope it's Daryl Murphy, what a bloke.

He's going to have a long and lonesome night trying to flick hoofed clearances to nobody.

[Giggles]

My point was that the Spanish anthem has no actual lyrics. Granted I'm not watching the game so I might have misunderstood the whole thing.

No, my bad actually. I was thinking of that flouncy Italian one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure what part of 'must win' Ireland don't understand.

[Pleb]

They are probably hoping that Serbia fuck up somewhere before going all out.

[Magic]

Direland looking awful.

[Giggles]

They were even worse than this against Georgia :D

I got lambasted in work today for saying they were certain to lose. It's like I'm the only cunt who has ever watched them before.

[Magic]

How's that 2 year contract doing? :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

To be fair I'm not sure there's a single talented Irish footballer at the moment other than Hoolahan who is old and lightweight.

[Giggles]

To be fair I'm not sure there's a single talented Irish footballer at the moment other than Hoolahan who is old and lightweight.

They're bad in the grand scheme of world soccer but they're nowhere near as bad as O'Neill thinks according to the setup. Christ, even Dundalk and Cork City can hold on to a ball for more than ten seconds in a Europa League game.

This should be top of Championship vs bottom of Championship but it looks like Championship vs National League South, and it's not the first time it's looked like that by a long way.

[CJay]

Hoofball will win the day. :drool:

[Giggles]

How did Allen end up hurt there?

[phonics]

How did Allen end up hurt there?

Got smashed in the face by Meylers hip.

Have Ireland realized that they need to win to go through? Surely there's something a bit more proactive than... this. Not that Wales are looking great. Though 95% of footballers would benefit from having the amount of self-confidence that Robson-Kanu has. Absolute shite but tries to control a ball like he's Messi.

[Giggles]

Got smashed in the face by Meylers hip.

Have Ireland realized that they need to win to go through? Surely there's something a bit more proactive than... this.

It's all O'Neill knows.

[Magic]

Iceland winning.
Amigo

[phonics]

If it was a cup game it'd be a great gameplan but don't Wales go through with this result?

[Bernanke]

If it was a cup game it'd be a great gameplan but don't Wales go through with this result?

Are Serbia out now then? Any live updated second place table?

[Pleb]

Serbia - 19
~~~~~~~~~~
Wales - 18
~~~~~~~~~~
ROI - 17

...as it stands.

[Giggles]

Are Serbia out now then? Any live updated second place table?

Serbia are top.

[Adramelch]

And Serbia are at the very least in the playoffs unless they somehow lose to Georgia.

[Magic]

Teams don't get points from the bottom team? What. :D

[Bernanke]

Oh, in my mind Wales were up for some reason.

[phonics]

Are Serbia out now then? Any live updated second place table?

I didn't realise Serbia was still in play. I was just referring to the Playoffs.

[Browning]

Teams don't get points from the bottom team? What. :D

Because some groups have more teams than others, I believe.

Edit- Nope, seems they are all 6 teams. I'm sure that used to be the reason, bit off that it's still the case.

[Giggles]

Teams don't get points from the bottom team? What. :D

There's not an even amount of teams in each group.

[Magic]

What a bizarre load of shit.

[Bernanke]

Isn't it 6 in each?

Wiki says it is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They actually don't as Kosovo were added after the original draw, but they kept the top 5 rule anyway. Probably fair as there's a big difference between Gibraltar/San Marino and whoever is the best of the bottom pot.

[Adramelch]

Teams don't get points from the bottom team? What. :D

Used to be like that because not all groups had 6 teams, but I'm not sure why it's still a thing.

[Adramelch]

They actually don't as Kosovo were added after the original draw, but they kept the top 5 rule anyway. Probably fair as there's a big difference between Gibraltar/San Marino and whoever is the best of the bottom pot.

Yeah but there's also a difference between getting say Spain and Italy in the same group instead of Poland and Denmark.

I'd rather they have 4 groups of 6 and 6 groups of 5 and all 10 second placed teams get to play in the playoffs.

[Magic]

There's not an even amount of teams in each group.

Jesus so this was the reason fair enough but now it's even and they've kept the rule?

[Magic]

Do they remove the points at the end? I don't even...

[Adramelch]

Do they remove the points at the end? I don't even...

It's only for the playoff table. They just calculate it without taking those results in mind.

[Pleb]

GD Pts
Portugal 26 24
Italy 12 21
Denmark 12 20
Sweden 19 19
N.Ireland 11 19
Wales 8 18
Slovakia 10 18
Croatia 9 18
~~~~~~~
Greece 7 16

That's what I got.

[Bernanke]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_S econd_Round

[Magic]

It's only for the playoff table. They just calculate it without taking those results in mind.

:thbup:

[Pleb]

Well that's full of lol.

[Adramelch]

It's been like that for as long as I remember, I don't know why people are suddenly finding out (apart from the 6 teams in all groups thing that Jim explained).

[Magic]

Because my team have never qualified or been in the play offs lololol (for nearly 20 years).

[Adramelch]

:D

[Browning]

I really want Ukraine/Croatia to score so Wales can't shit their way in with a 0-0.

[Adramelch]

I guess it must be tough to not come from a nation as technically gifted at football as Greece. Magic

[Pleb]

Wales have woken up.

This has a 90 minute one nil written all over it.

[Magic]

I guess it must be tough to not come from a nation as technically gifted at football as Greece. Magic

We had one of the best sides in the world and managed to go out after the group stages. We'll never win anything.

[Giggles]

917479398500110336

[Pleb]

Woof.

[Magic]

Holy shite. :D

[Waffdon]

Absolute scenes there

[Ian]

Well, isn't that a right shame.

[Waffdon]

Ashley Williams. Shock.

[Giggles]

Watch how deep they'll drop now. If you haven't watched this lot much then it'll be an eye opener.

[CJay]

McClean is a hero. What a goal.

How deep can we drop now?

Cheering on a shock Georgia goal now.

[Magic]

Watch how deep they'll drop now. If you haven't watched this lot much then it'll be an eye opener.

:D

[Pleb]

Someone check on Serbia.

There match looks much worse than this one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That Allen injury absolutely crucial.

[Adramelch]

Slovakia out as things stand.

[Browning]

Croatia :drool:

Wales need 2.

[Pleb]

Serbia are on full troll mode.

Georgia nearly had a chance to poke one in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What sweet nonsense are Serbia up to still being 0-0.

Iceland home and dry :drool:

[Giggles]

You can't hold out for 25 minutes this deep. Never learn.

[Waffdon]

Up the Ra. Ireland’s two centre halves are very decent, they’ll always somewhat be in contention in games.

[Giggles]

Glenn fucking Whelan :face:

[Giggles]

I do like Murphy. He has the head of a lad that would be always down the local and never got married or a job, but is guaranteed to be great craic every weekend if you go in.

[Samadini]

Has Murphy just been booked for being kicked in the face?

Aaron Ramsey is going to score the winner here, the twat.

[Bernanke]

Serbs 1-0.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Woodburn has more spark than the rest of Wales combined. Jonny Williams is tragic in every respect.

[Giggles]

Woodburn has more spark than the rest of Wales combined. Jonny Williams is tragic in every respect.

I thought Williams has looked fiesty enough since he came on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ireland have gone full Tunisia here. Only sometimes works.

[Magic]

I thought Williams has looked fiesty enough since he came on.

Same. You can't help but discard Jim's opinions on the home nations due to his imperialist views.

[Magic]

Hopefully Wales score in the 93rd to put them both out.

[Baz]

Wales have a good centrehalf. I think he’s called Ashley Williams. Everton should sign him.

[CJay]

Shane Duffy’s jump is a thing of beauty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is what happens when a team's on-pitch leader is Aaron Ramsey.

[CJay]

That free kick. :D

[Magic]

Captain banned. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

What the fuck was Meyler doing there?

Great news if the I just don't want to go to work song will not be heard in Russia.

[niko_cee]

Jonny Williams is tragic in every respect.

I was going to ask if he actually plays professionally at club level. I don't think I've ever seen him outside of a Wales shirt and he's so bad, and yet so enthusiastic. He's absolutely everywhere, fucking everything up. Palace apparently.

[CJay]

Meyler’s an idiot.

What’s the seeding for the playoffs?

[Waffdon]

James McLean might be my favourite player in existence.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Meyler’s an idiot.

What’s the seeding for the playoffs?

Portugal, Italy, Denmark or Sweden. Good luck.

[ItalAussie]

Teams don't get points from the bottom team? What. :D

Reminds me of when Turkey got a bunch of improbable results to go their way - including needing Kazakhstan to beat Latvia away and jump from sixth to fifth (they had good results against Kazakhstan, but dropped points against Latvia) - to lift them into the automatic third place qualifying spot before Euro 2012.

[CJay]

James McLean might be my favourite player in existence.

His passion and work rate is a shining example to any young player of how to make the most of your limited ability. Pity about his dirty side.

[niko_cee]

At least we won't have to put up with that song in another major tournament.

Following on from Lewis' comment that every England game seems to be the worst game ever, I can only imagine how bad it would be if they played Ireland. Dear god.

[CJay]

Dunphy with egg on his face re: needing Wes Hoolahan. :drool:

[Waffdon]

His passion and work rate is a shining example to any young player of how to make the most of your limited ability. Pity about his dirty side.

The pure seethe he brings is also another great reason. Some boy.

[Waffdon]

His passion and work rate is a shining example to any young player of how to make the most of your limited ability. Pity about his dirty side.

He also hates the Queen.

[Giggles]

That's for Seamus.

How the fuck they managed it I don't know.

[Adramelch]

That's for Seamus.

How the fuck they managed it I don't know.

O'Neill's genius clearly.

[Shindig]

Is there any daft limitations about who can draw who? I only ask because I want an all-Ireland carnage.

[niko_cee]

From what I saw, which was a bit of the first half and then from about 55 minutes on, Wales were awful.

Quite why they refused to play the ball out to Gunter when he was constantly in acres of space was baffling. Ramsey is such an odd player. Swings wildly from quite brilliant the really rather dreadful.

Shane Duffy is a colossus.

[CJay]

Portugal, Italy, Denmark or Sweden. Good luck.

Guardian says NI are seeded at the minute? If Sweden win tomorrow does that change things?

[Adramelch]

Guardian says NI are seeded at the minute? If Sweden win tomorrow does that change things?

It'll be from the next rankings so it's all a bit fluid overall. NI lost their two games in that time so it doesn't bode well I guess.

[Giggles]

It'll be from the next rankings so it's all a bit fluid overall. NI lost their two games in that time so it doesn't bode well I guess.

Does it? I thought it would go on that 2nd place table they compile to find which one misses out.

[Adramelch]

Does it? I thought it would go on that 2nd place table they compile to find which one misses out.

We're talking about the seeding in the playoffs. Who goes to the playoffs is decided by that table, yeah.

[phonics]

From what I saw, which was a bit of the first half and then from about 55 minutes on, Wales were awful.

Quite why they refused to play the ball out to Gunter when he was constantly in acres of space was baffling. Ramsey is such an odd player. Swings wildly from quite brilliant the really rather dreadful.

Shane Duffy is a colossus.

I must admit that I didn't last long but from what I saw Ramsey was really, really, between the centre backs, deep which is never his game. He has a massive touch of the Gerrards about needing to do everything and without Bale it's fucked them tbh.

[Bernanke]

Our main newspaper claims it's already set with Switzerland/Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Croatia being seeded. Are they correct?

[Adramelch]

Switzerland/Portugal, Italy and Croatia are dead certs. Then it should be Denmark unless Sweden win tomorrow? Difficult to say.

[CJay]

So have we all just accepted now that Iceland are a properly good European side? Crazy achievements over the last 6/7 years.

[Lewis]

Who else is watching Gary Neville's Soccerbox?

[Giggles]

Dunphy: "Where would we be without Londonderry?" :D

[Lewis]

He's just referred to himself in the third person.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I saw it advertised and decided I didn't want to know. Name in the title and everything.

[Amigo]

What a fucking team.

[Mazuuurk]

Our main newspaper claims it's already set with Switzerland/Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Croatia being seeded. Are they correct?

I kind of don't have the highest hopes here. We've done a bit too well recently and it's all quite set up for being kicked the fuck out by Ronaldo & co again.

[Bernanke]

But that's all down to Portugal not kicking the shit out of the Swiss at home. The other four are beatable. Italy is Verratti and four 40-year old Juve-defenders.

[Mazuuurk]

Just noticed that while Germany is the only team to win ALL of their 10 games, they don't have a single player in the Top 15 goalscorers (or; that has scored over 5 goals).

Beast Team :cool:

[Mazuuurk]

But that's all down to Portugal not kicking the shit out of the Swiss at home. The other four are beatable. Italy is Verratti and four 40-year old Juve-defenders.

Italy would kill us. Immobile and Insigne are the sort of players who are always more dangerous than they should be to us.
Also Italians don't age like the rest of the world, as we all know.

It would be the same with Croatia. Perisic and Mandzukic would both have the game of their lives against us.

I think we'd struggle with Switzerland as well, as we typically stuggle with teams considered more or less on "our" level (the Swiss are better really, but yeah).


Even Denmark, who we could beat, are bound for a Karma-revenge type of game since we knocked them out last time so emphatically.

[John Arne]

Anyone know the population of Iceland? Asking for a friend.

[John Arne]

Aussies 0-1 down already :D

Live: http://spybuzz.net/bein11.php

[SvN]

Saw the equaliser hitting the net as I opened the stream.

[Bernanke]

Anyone know the population of Iceland? Asking for a friend.

340k I think.

[John Arne]

1-1.

Cahill.

[John Arne]

340k I think.

Could you do me a favour and keep reminding me every 30 minutes? Cheers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The winner of this plays Panama/Honduras. What a conceptual four way shit-off that is.

Could probably do without Honduras at the finals this time if I'm honest.

[John Arne]

The winner of this plays Panama/Honduras. What a conceptual four way shit-off that is.

Could probably do without Honduras at the finals this time if I'm honest.

Or the US.

[John Arne]

Here's a stream for Australia-Syria http://tructiepbongda.com/vong-loai-world-cup-2018/australia-vs-syria-10-10.html

[Jimmy Floyd]

Or the US.

I'm working on the assumption they're getting a point in Trinidad.

I see Blas Perez is still in the Panama squad at the age of 92. Mon them.

[SvN]

It's on YouTube


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVsEHxgJ2zk

[John Arne]

It's on YouTube


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVsEHxgJ2zk

:(

https://gyazo.com/36fe70f8632eecc156c860afc4082dcb.png

[phonics]

I love that Tim Cahill is still around heading balls in from set pieces. One of lifes constants.

[Bernanke]

Could you do me a favour and keep reminding me every 30 minutes? Cheers.

They have a population of about 340k.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Egypt and Saudi already in the tournament, Tunisia to follow, please Lord spare me yet another Arab team playing for free kicks and timewasting for 90 minutes.

[Browning]

It's really unsettling watching football without the score/time at the top.

[CJay]

Do away goals count in this tie?

[Browning]

After Extra Time they do.

[Giggles]

Australia going out would be wondrous.

[randomlegend]

:(

https://gyazo.com/36fe70f8632eecc156c860afc4082dcb.png

Change 'tube' to 'pak' in the URL any time you get that.

[SvN]

Syria look abysmal, and Australia are totally toothless. For all of their possession they've created fuck all. It's like watching van Gaal's United at their worst.

[Browning]

Agreed, it's fucking terrible all round.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Syria are a carbon copy of every shit Middle Eastern team. Barrelling centre forward who probably gets 40 a season in their local league, vaguely creative winger with slightly risqué personal grooming for a conservative country, timewasting goalkeeper, and 8 other identikit hard-running mental cases. This has late Australian winner and Syrian red card(s) written all over it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wait, is the keeper wearing trousers? Even better.

[Adramelch]

Syria will win 2-0 on penalties, quite clearly.

[Queenslander]

No ones wants another Middle Eastern team stinking up the World Cup surely.

[John Arne]

Stoping the game for cramp :face: Drag him off the fucking pitch.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They're reining it in a bit because the score is 1-1. I dread to think what scenes we will witness if Syria go ahead.

[Adramelch]

No ones wants another Middle Eastern team stinking up the World Cup surely.

Ye because your lads have been a revelation every time.

[ItalAussie]

1. I can't believe we let these wasters score against us.

2. I can't believe our toothless forwards managed to score one.

[ItalAussie]

Everyone's so ponderous. It's like watching a hall of Greek statues gradually shift due to continental drift.

[Queenslander]

Ye because your lads have been a revelation every time.

Not defending us at all we dont deserve to go to the World Cup.

[Adramelch]

A majority of the playoffs is sort of a "pick your poison" affair in regards to which team you prefer really.

[ItalAussie]

I suspect the CONCACAF team will get through. I hope it's Panama.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Australia were pretty good at the last one but in a horrid group. This group of players looks awful apart from Mooy though.

[ItalAussie]

Ye because your lads have been a revelation every time.

Hey, we were super fun last time around. That game against the Netherlands was a cracker.

We're not any good, but all our tournament appearances have been entertaining at least.

[SvN]

These "hlighlights" :D. One of them was the Australian goalkeeper catching a Syrian cross, unchallenged.

[ItalAussie]

Australia were pretty good at the last one but in a horrid group. This group of players looks awful apart from Mooy though.

I really rate Rogic. He'll mature well.

EDIT: And Trent Sainsbury, who is a really good defender. That's basically it thought. Ryan's solid in goals normally.

[SvN]

This has late Australian winner and Syrian red card(s) written all over it.

1 out of 2.

[ItalAussie]

Syrian red card. A million years to walk off the pitch. Jimmy closer to predicting the outcome precisely. :D

[ItalAussie]

Also, why are you guys watching this? Like, I know why I'm interested, but I can't imagine any neutral seeing this on the schedule and saying "Yes! That's what I want to spend the next two hours watching!".

I can't imagine it being fun at all. :D

[John Arne]

Aussie commentator on my feed has just pulled a right Warne-ism... "Syria down to 10 men... they'll work even harder, and this will make it perhaps even more difficult for Australia now".

Perhaps, they should play with 10 men every game, to help themselves.

[-james-]

https://i.imgur.com/HvDL7Gq.png


This has been floating around for a while, but I really need some answers.

Is it just the angle the picture is taken from? Is there information I'm missing? Fucking lol.

[ItalAussie]

The thing about this batch of players is that the ones who are worth a damn (Mooy, Rogic, Sainsbury, Ryan) will all go around again in four years time. So knocking them out of their comfort zone by a failed qualification campaign might not be the worst thing in the long term. Still sucks though.

[Queenslander]

What are your thoughts on Ange? ItalAussie

[ItalAussie]

Hi there, Middle Eastern time-wasting. You haven't been missed.

[ItalAussie]

What are your thoughts on Ange? ItalAussie
Don't know really. He's not particularly creative or adaptable. We could probably do better, but we could also get a lunatic who ruins everything.

[ItalAussie]

I do enjoy that Australia has collectively decided to ignore Syrian players who go down "injured". If you want to be down a man, go for it.

[Queenslander]

I do enjoy that Australia has collectively decided to ignore Syrian players who go down "injured". If you want to be down a man, go for it.

I should be used to Middle Eastern time wasting by now but it still winds me up more than ever.

[ItalAussie]

Our corners have been diabolically bad.

[SvN]

I thought he'd given a penalty for a second there.

[ItalAussie]

That was a penalty. He 100% cynically played for it, but definitely a penalty nonetheless.

[ItalAussie]

Ref throws us a solid with the intercept. :D

[ItalAussie]

We have precisely one plan that has any effectiveness, and it's that. :D

EDIT: Now they need to score, which will be fun. Have at it.

[phonics]

I love that Tim Cahill is still around heading balls in from set pieces. One of lifes constants.

What a man.

[Browning]

What shit. We sit through all this shite and don't even get penalties.

[ItalAussie]

We should give them a taste of their own time-wasting, for a laugh. :nodd:

[ItalAussie]

100% going in. This is definitely how it's going down.

EDIT: Ooof. That was well-struck.

[SvN]

Jesus fucking Christ. There was some power on that.

[Browning]

I was sure that was in. Fucking hell.

[Byron]

I'll accept this if it means Argentina not qualifying. Mon Ecuador.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The only more Arab way they could have lost that was if they now submit a claim that Australia fielded an ineligible player.

[ItalAussie]

Hell of a free kick though. If that'd gone in, I wouldn't have begrudged them.

(Is a thing that's easy to say when your team won)

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've just looked up Omar Al Somah and he literally does score 40 a season. Get him to defect.

[phonics]

I've just looked up Omar Al Somah and he literally does score 40 a season. Get him to defect.

He did. He refused to play for the National team for 2 years because he felt it was a sign of support for Assad.

[Magic]

He did. He refused to play for the National team for 2 years because he felt it was a sign of support for Assad.

He should be banned 4 lyf.

[Bernanke]

He should be banned 4 lyf.

You should too for this post alone.

[John Arne]

Bruce Arena challenges "European hotshots to come over here in our CONCACAF qualifying and really get a taste of this"...

https://www.facebook.com/ESPNFC/videos/10159394058970082/

[Jimmy Floyd]

Does anyone know if the South American slate of games is on telly anywhere?

[John Arne]

Does anyone know if the South American slate of games is on telly anywhere?

Bein Sports are showing all the games - so they'll be plenty of streams around. You may have to put up with #BANTZ with Keys & Gray, though......

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've got money on Chile.

Priced at 5 considering that Brazil have qualified and a loss to Chile ensures that Argentina has one less spot to fight for? Obscene.

[Adramelch]

I mean, if Argentina win they're guaranteed at least a playoff spot, aren't they? So if someone keeps Argentina from qualifying, it'll be themselves (and they've done a pretty good job at it).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Themselves and Shane Smeltz.

[John Arne]

Can we play you every week...


https://gyazo.com/e10b1bed8f5949aaa0687e2cdd1123a2.jpg

[niko_cee]

Mané's died on international duty.

:face:

[John Arne]

Meanwhile, Iran U17 4-0 Germany U17 in the U17WC. 10 minutes to go.

[Giggles]

Any of these worth watching tonight?

[Adramelch]

Clearly Greece vs Gibraltar. Nailbiter.

Portugal-Switzerland will decide who tops the group. The Dutch vs Sweden might also be good fun although there's nothing on the line.

[Adramelch]

Also apparently Luxembourg are 1 goal up against Bulgaria 3 minutes in, so there's that.

[Bernanke]

Clearly Greece vs Gibraltar. Nailbiter.

Portugal-Switzerland will decide who tops the group. The Dutch vs Sweden might also be good fun although there's nothing on the line.

Winner in the latter will end up in top seeded for that new Euro Qual-structure after the WC, so some on the line at least.

[Adramelch]

Winner in the latter will end up in top seeded for that new Euro Qual-structure after the WC, so some on the line at least.

I mean, every international match has something on the line in that sense.

[Giggles]

Is that the Nations League thing? Still have absolutely no idea what that entails.

[Adramelch]

Is that the Nations League thing? Still have absolutely no idea what that entails.

20 of the 24 spots will be given by the regular process anyway. Only 4 of them will be through the Nations League. That one will be a league structure with 4 divisions with each division getting one qualification spot (which means that some shit teams will qualify regardless).

[Bernanke]

I mean, every international match has something on the line in that sense.

That... doesn't make any sense. This is the last relevant game ahead of that, with both teams having a chance to get it. Then there's clearly something on the line as opposed to when Portugal faces Costa Rica in a friendly.

[Giggles]

That sounds nuts. Would it not be better to drop down if you were borderline then?

When are these played anyway? As part of the qualifiers or additional games?

[Jimmy Floyd]

This Turkish ref has been instructed to ensure Ronaldo qualifies. Never been more sure of anything in my life.

[Adramelch]

That sounds nuts. Would it not be better to drop down if you were borderline then?

When are these played anyway? As part of the qualifiers or additional games?

Additional games. It'll be an annual thing as far as I understand. Also presumably the qualification spot won't be decided by league position but additional play-offs within the league (without the teams that have already qualified).

Those leagues will also be subdivided into smaller groups. It's a mess.

[Bernanke]

That sounds nuts. Would it not be better to drop down if you were borderline then?

When are these played anyway? As part of the qualifiers or additional games?

They are supposed to replace the regularly scheduled friendlies to some extent.


The first tournament is due to commence in September 2018, after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the winner will be decided in June 2019.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_UEFA_Nations_League

[Adramelch]

Well that's that then. They're gonna Fernando Santos the rest of the game. What a legend that man is.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just 5 more for the Dutch then?

[Baz]

Just 5 more for the Dutch then?Easy.

[Bernanke]

Just 5 more for the Dutch then?

I would have been genuinely worried had they gone 3-0 up by halftime. I've seen way too many Robben Munich games where they score 7+ to handle the second half in that case.

[Waffdon]

Portugal have some really good players. They could go quite far again. Two genuine goal threats in Andre Silva and Ronaldo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The weird thing about this is if the Swiss win their playoff (or pull this back) they will be number 1 seeded at the actual tournament.

Sky co-comm openly berating the referee, he knows.

[John]

Andre Silva is quality but in a game with a less obviously bent referee he'd have been off the park before he scored that goal.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cakir can surely never be given another major game again after this. It's like watching an African game with some bloke on it for 200 green ones. Every decision is bad and pro-Portugal.

[John]

Sky co-comm openly berating the referee, he knows.

After that last Swiss foul he sounds about ready to go Drogba v Barcelona at the end of the game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He just called him out for being one sided, you never hear Sky commentators do that.

[Lewis]

Of course they want Portugal through. Switzerland have never been involved in a single decent game of football.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apart from that one when they bantered off Peak Spain in the World Cup.