You maybe wondering why I haven't written anything about England's 4-2 victory over Croatia up to now, is it because I didn't want to jump in too early and let the feeling of joy take over and rose tint my review of proceedings? Nah, it was because Thursday was a nice day and I spent it in Saaarfend like all Cockney's do. I was walking around with a smile on my face though, and my happy demeanour was picked up upon by some back porch preacher, preaching at me and stating "look at the state of this bloke, all full of football and sex" He was half right as I was walking with a slight spring in my step, which I can assure you only came from England's' exploits the night before and not my own.
I aint saying we were brilliant and it was a faultless game, far from it, In fact in the first half, although we looked a threat going forward our defensive play left a fair bit to be desired. The equaliser on the stroke of half time to make it 2-2 was coming and I just knew we weren't going to hold out until the break. That first half had a very familiar feel to it and I was hoping that in the second half we could come out and do a lot better. I expected a response but I didn't envisage what the first 15 minutes of that half produced, quarter of an hour of constant pressure that could have yielded 4 or 5 goals. The only reason we didn't score more than the 1 goal during that time was the fact that the Croatian keeper turned into prime Gianluigi Buffon, throwing himself about and getting his hands to everything. I thought after that sustained period of dominance we pretty much controlled the game and we were deserving of the 3 points and the 4-2 win. I thought our substitutions were the right ones at the right time and I really like the way that we freshen things up. A few players stood out in particular, Bellingham, Kane were obvious but I was really impressed with Anderson and Noni Madueke. We could've scored a few more perhaps but as opening days go it was just what the Doctor ordered, and I'm not talking about the good Doctor himself Doctor Congo, although going into the England game he had cheered me up seeing his lot get a draw against Portugal. What obviously made it even more sweet was watching Ronaldo touch the ball only 20 odd times and offer nothing.
Anyway Ghana managed a late 1-0 win in the other game of our Group and having seen both Panama and Ghana play, surely if we play half as well as we did against Croatia second half then we walk out of this group with maximum points, even if we rest a few in our final game. I am pretty impressed by us to be fair, but I am more impressed with Tommy Tickles and his half time speech. Under Southgate I believe that ends a draw or worse. Get in!!
Thursday was another busy day as the first round of group games ended and the second round of group games started. Colombia and Uzbekistan brought down the curtain on proceedings in Group K, Colombia unsurprisingly winning at a canter. Czechia managed a pretty uninspiring 1-1 with South Africa who to be honest benefitted from quite a dodgy handball decision that resulted in a penalty, one that yet again doesn't get given in the Premier League. Switzerland saw off 10 man Bosnia by 4 goals to 1, and Canada went top of Group B with a massive 6-0 over Qatar. The Qatarians were reduced to 9 men after firstly Homam Elamin was dismissed, then 6 minutes into the second half Assim Madibo had his yellow card upgraded to a red after he unfortunately broke Ismael Kones leg. In my opinion the kid got unlucky, it wasn't a particularly bad tackle and there was no maliciousness toward the opposition player but given the outcome of the tackle it resulted in a red card. Not that having 10 or even 11 Qatar players on the pitch would've made any difference as they looked bloody awful.
Mexico also topped Group A after a 1-0 win over South Korea and tonight the US of A will be looking to do the same and make it a clean sweep of host nations all sitting pretty atop their Groups. The Yanks take on the Soceroos of Australia in their second game and it could be a cracker, I can't predict how this is going to go, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Aussies get something from this. Scotland also play tonight against Morocco, and I have to be honest I don't fancy their chances, but you never know.
Up the Jockos!!
