Well, I can't lie.... I am being beaten hands down by Birchy's dedication to the cause here. The return of the working week and a culture that does not include a quick scoot to the pub for a lunch "meeting" has proved quite challenging. What spare time I have had has been dedicated to watching, versus writing about, some top class world cup footie.
However, a work from home day today, and even a screw up with my dentist appointment time favoured yours truly, allowing me to watch the end of the Brazil v Costa Rica game live (you would argue the first screw up was me actually scheduling the appointment during this game), I've been able to get back on track today.
Soooo, a lot to catch up on:
Winners:
The very thing that makes him so annoying is what makes him so good. With an ego the size of Steve Bruce falling off a diet, Cristiano Ronaldo just seems to appear that he 100% thinks he is the saviour of all mankind... allowing him to actually play that way. Contrast that with a wilting Mr Messi who seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders before kick off last night, and you see the result.
VAR....yes.. it works. It really works! Having watched Neymar Jr rein in his dodgy barnet (clearly looking for a mention on this blog with his first game effort), but then succeed in conning his way to a penalty today only to be thwarted by the new technology. Brilliant. Also the delays are really non-existent, when you consider you would watch about 2 mins worth of repeat footage of a 'non-call' anyway, if we didn't have the technology.
Arguments....the beauty of VAR is, it doesn't fix everything. The contentious push / grapple (I've just seen Mitrovic penalised while being rugby tackled by TWO swiss players!), the 50/50 was it / was it not a pen, don't go away. The heated pub conversation is not an endangered species.
Croatia..... really no need to explain this one. Fairly bland start against a static Nigerian team, backed up by a pounding of Argentina last night. Modric is a player.
England?.... A new entrant in this section since, well, ever.... Tight group game, dwindling to a draw against a limited defensive team due to a self-inflicted defensive lapse. Do I need to continue.... we've seen this so many times befor....hold on!?!? We kept going? We have a striker who scores goals and possesses movement not seen since Gary Lineker? Positive substitutions that actually contribute to the game? Let me grab my World in Motion CD, it's time to party! He won't bail us out every time, and the team is clearly limited, but with Panama next, you'd like to think we have some way to go....
Late goals.... just watched Shaqiri put a dagger through the hearts of a talented Serbia team. I believe this is the 1,027th goal scored in stoppage time this world cup. There's been a gazillion of them... lovely.
Brilliant goals... the quality has been fantastic. Technique of Eriksson, Coutinho, that CR7 free kick...My fave though... step forward Mr Quintero. I love a bit of ingenuity.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQWkM-Gpf54 , with his team losing and down a man. Took some cajones to try this one and executed to a tee.
Milad Mohammadi..... no words needed. He's going to get Baddiel & Skinner out of retirement in 20 years time for another Phoenix... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZdVZ-O1Hc
Losers:
Argentina... no need to explain, other than dwell on the sight of Sampaoli getting in his 10,000 steps for the day on the touchline. If you think our boys are burdened by the past, take some time to watch the Croatia game back. An ugly ball of stress. Also, curious what Mascherano has been doing in China.. doesn't look like it's been professional sport though...
Peru.... breaks my heart to see them in this section. Amazing numbers traveled across, great atmosphere... watching history for their country. This can be a cruel game as energetic and coordinated midfield play let down by paucity up front. No goals and no points to cheer for the legion of fans, although one of them may eventually catch Cueva's penalty kick from the first game once it starts to come down.
Luis Felipe Gomez.... Cheers! matching the ingenuity of Mr Quintero, consuming non-FIFA branded beverages by way of fake binocular set. Tremendous! Social media disagreed. Luiz was promptly out of a job and maybe banned from the stadiums. In hindsight, should have bought the $20 beer!
Meh
Still waiting for some of the big guns to kick into gear. Brazil, France, Portugal, Spain v Iran (they were great in Game 1). But there's a lot to be said about grinding your way out of the group. Does redemption await Germany, Argentina and Columbia? All still with a chance to turn things around.
Manager injury watch
A new category for the tournament, but apparently Gareth decided to put some excitement into his day by showing the team how Mo Salah was injured in the Champions League final, and took it a little too far.... while ordinarily, that would win this section, but for the combination of sheer unadulterated joy with unintended injury, step forward the pulled muscle of Tite ... great stuff!
And finally - commentator watch
Always a good watch to see who the yanks roll out for some high class analysis. This time around, sure, they have rolled out the old classics... Alexi Lalas still drawing on all of his 1994 WC experience playing the guitar, 'Ol Wrighty has been doing some moonlighting from ITV also to add his "insight", Warren Barton is somehow here and the advent of VAR has introduced "Doctor" Joe Machnik to TV viewers to provide key analysis of VAR decisions ... such as "he's going to look at the incident again on the monitor"...
However, while I google what Joe's exact medical qualifications are, I forgive Fox Sports for all of their ills. Why you ask? I give you Jorge Perez-Navarro. With the absence of the USA, they successfully recognised that a large proportion of viewers will have roots from South America. The answer... Jorge gets the gig, and it's simply brilliant.
It's a longer watch, but well worth it - Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaal
Now imagine that I'm driving to work during the Columbia v Japan game he is commentating on; and let's say I'm listening to the game on the radio; now factor in I have money on the game.... almost drove off the road over a back-pass!
That's all for now. I will miss Jorge, but my next stop is the homeland where an on-time flight is demanded so I am able to find a nice pub in the Yorkshire Dales to catch the next England game and be soothed by the dulcet tones of Alan Shearer....
Comments
Post a Comment