World Cup Play-Offs (European)/International Friendlies Friday and Tuesday Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

European Play-Offs First Leg:

Iceland v Croatia (19:00)
Greece v Romania (19:45)
Portugal v Sweden (19:45)
Ukraine v France (19:45)

International Friendlies:

England v Chile (20:00)
Ireland v Latvia (19:45)
Scotland v USA (20:05)
Turkey v Northern Ireland (19:00)

Obviously the stand-out tie for the play-offs tonight is Portugal v Sweden, or Zlatan v Ronaldo if you prefer. That tie looks to be the most balanced of the four, with just one spot in the World Cup Finals up for grabs. Ukraine will remain hopeful of catching France off their guard, but France will start as strong favourites. Greece should seal their place over a potentially dangerous Romanian side. Lastly, Iceland will be aiming to spring one of the biggest surprises in World Football - by defeating Croatia. I imagine that, should Iceland get there, they will be the smallest nation to ever make the World Cup.

On the friendlies side, Ireland (under new management), Scotland, and Northern Ireland will start their building process to next autumn's Euro 2016 qualifiers.

For England, this is the first of five friendlies in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. Chile will provide a test, one that England should overcome, against an injury-hit and virus-hit home team. During qualification, Chile averaged the most possession amongst the South American teams - surpassing the likes of Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay - and an average of 3.4 goals per game were scored in matches involving Chile. High tempo, high pressure - that's the Chile way. England are suffering with the absences of Gerrard, Wilshere, Lambert and Walker. Nevertheless, I expect England to triumph 2-0.

Expected England team (the Times): Ruddy, Johnson, Jones, Smalling, Cole, Lampard (C), Cleverley, Milner, Lallana, Rodriguez, and Rooney.

[mystiroakey]

"Not looking good. Ill take a 3rd place group finish at best at this rate."

You are to young to be that cynical..

[Marky]

Nick'll be the first one to say "I knew we could do it" when England win the World Cup

[mystiroakey]

I actually forget he is a Brighton fan..Off course he is cynical

[Fernando]

I actually forget he is a Brighton fan..Off course he is a douche

Fixed that  

[whocares]

Never rated Laurent Blanc. Pretty useless at PSG, even with all the money. Playing Abidal at his age & after all his problems is a woeful decision. Debuchy is pretty shocking, I have first hand experience of seeing that. Evra is pretty much past it now, well on the decline & then there's Koscielny who appears to have had an absolute nightmare. Cabaye on the bench???? Shocking decision. Would help control the game away from home & is reliable & experienced, yet he chooses Pogba? Absurd choices for a game of such magnitude.

Offensively, I would still have Benzema over Giroud though. Just don't think in the key moments & in tight games, Giroud is the man to take a chance. I reckon that tie could go to ET in the second leg, even penalties maybe.

What has Laurent Blanc got to do with that? Its Deschamp now the coach. Agree though, the defense is a misery... Abidal looks like a 50 year old on the pitch, just being outpaced by any ukrainian. Koscielny, conceded a penalty and got a red card. He must be 12 years old in his head to be so fecking naive. Debuchy was awol and evra was probably the pick of the punch which says a lot.
Nasri adds nothing and is too slow, remy disapeared after 20 minutes, pogba did work a lot but was playing not high enough. Ribery tried a lot and Giroud tried to help. All ukraine has to do is to put 2 defenders on Ribery all the time and job done. Good team performance by Ukraine despite having no striker.
John, Benzema is someone who didnt score during 1000 minutes in a row for France and had to wait for those amateurs from australia to show up to get a goal. Am not counting on him to get france to brazil. France is doomed I reckon. Better stay here than go to Brazil to be ridiculed.

[Guest]

Yeah, I meant Deschamps  

[Champagne_Socialist]

Yeah, I meant Deschamps  

Deschamps has never managed PSG tho......

[Guest]

  

Blanc was awful though with France too. Same old line ups.

[Duty281]

Tbf id rather see France at the world cup than Ukraine.

As for England, losing 2-0 to Chile, well make up you're own minds. I listened to it on the radio, we sounded awful. Judging by my tweets Johnson needed to get tighter for the first goal, he should be 3rd choice RB IMO. Southampton lads sounded out of there dept, Rodriequez mainly. Whilshere sounded poor. 

Not looking good. Ill take a 3rd place group finish at best at this rate.

Baines (lost the man he was marking), and possibly Jones (played a man onside), were at fault for the first goal.

Absolutely laughable to say Johnson should be behind Walker or Smalling.
Equally laughable to say you'll take a 3rd place finish after a meaningless friendly. Don't be fickle.

[Guest]

Yeah, I meant Deschamps  

Deschamps has never managed PSG tho......

Poor John. Wires crossed only slightly..

[Guest]

 shocker! I'll have a word with myself

[Guest]

 shocker! I'll have a word with myself

Just blame the sauce John    We've all been there buddy.

[monty junior]

Giroud was the best player for France, he hit the bar twice and had a header cleared off the line.

I still think France will qualify, I can see them pulling it off in Paris.

You could argue that those misses are poor finishing though. Giroud is not your one chance & goal man is he? I'll take your word on it though, if he did play well. Serious situation their in now.

- -- - - - -BENZEMA- - - -- - -

RIBERY- - - -NASRI- - - -REMY

- - - -MATUIDI- -CABAYE- - -

That's how I would of set up. Pogba & Giroud removed! Bet they go like this in the return leg - all out attack

I wouldn't take Pogba out, I would say at 20 he is already one of France's best players. There's frankly no reason for France's performances other than their shaky defense, but they continually struggle to score against decent defenses, Mr Benzema i would say is the reason..

[monty junior]

By the way how did Forster get on?

[mystiroakey]

he didnt have much to do. tbh. He wasnt tested really bar the goals that were scored that we couldnt really blame him on. The header was to good and the last minute goal was a one on one

[Guest]

I remember one dodgy kick (pee-rolled) to half way line, one decent save from beusojeur, a spillage from a shot in second half, quite dodgy but was faultless for the first goal. second goal is a shocker from cahill, basically one-on-one with sanchez, gives him the eyes into the right & then just dinks it over him. no fault really. decent night, given the result. hart deffo back in though for me.

[JamesLincs]

complete waste of a friendly imo. with few opportunities left to find our best 11, were playing debutants. a 2-0 loss to 12th in the world doesnt concern me

annoyed with team selection mainly

[Guest]

Germany apparently resting a host of players including Mesut Ozil, Philip Lahm and Manuel Neuer. I think with Gerrard, Jagielka, Cole & Hart back among others, can actually see us getting a result. Kind of get the feeling this will be a Spain friendly 'deja vu' offering coming up, where we win but in reality it means very little in terms of what's to be expected in Brazil. Heard that less than 1000 tickets have been sold for Germany fans for this friendly coming up.

[J.Benson II]

I thought I summed it up pretty nicely mysti on England

As for France was it Giroud up front?

Giroud was actually fairly decent in the game. The French media are hammering the team but one article said that only Lloris and Giroud could 'look at themselves in the mirror this morning". Nasri was the worst performer for them and received the most criticism. Not sure why Debuchy  started ahead of Sagna. Has Mexes quite international football? Whatever also happened to Gourcuff? I remember a few years ago thinking that he would become the next Beckham. He really has gone of the rails since 2010.
So many questions I have regarding a French team that has really been very poor since 2000 save for one great run in WC 2006.

Everyone is insulting England for only drawing away to Ukraine but they showed tonight what a great team they are beating France 2-0.

Ukraine aren't a great team. They are just functional. I would be surprised if they were to get beyond the group stages of the WC. A team like France really ought to be beating them.

[mystiroakey]

Germany apparently resting a host of players including Mesut Ozil, Philip Lahm and Manuel Neuer. I think with Gerrard, Jagielka, Cole & Hart back among others, can actually see us getting a result. Kind of get the feeling this will be a Spain friendly 'deja vu' offering coming up, where we win but in reality it means very little in terms of what's to be expected in Brazil. Heard that less than 1000 tickets have been sold for Germany fans for this friendly coming up.

so similar;ar to what we gave chile then?

[Guest]

What do you mean Mysti? I just got a feeling we will win, strange feeling. It would just be typical England to lose to Chile but then beat Germany, especially seeing as they are resting players & we are bringing players back in.

As for France, surely Deschamps would recognise that Sagna plays alongside Koscielny week in week out & there's an understanding? Not sure about Mexes retiring, where was Varane? Anything is better than Abidal. Also Zouma from St. Etienne is supposedly the next big thing I heard.

[Guest]

so basically do u think we'll beat germany b? no neuer, lahm, schweisteiger, khedira, ozil, podolski etc. turned into a bit of a farse this one, not really the germany we all wanted to play n test ourselves is it. christ, if we dont win this - is there much hope in brazil. no wonder the german fans havent bought any tickets.

[mystiroakey]

Its a tough task but its only a friendly- yeah we could beat them, It wont mean much though

[Champagne_Socialist]

It was tough for Germany who have had to play 2 away games in 4 days. They played a lot of big names against Italy on Friday and I don't think club managers would be too happy with their players playing again on the Tuesday.

My personal opinion is that there should just be one friendly on the Saturday instead of 2 friendlies on the friday and tuesday.

[Duty281]

Its a tough task but its only a friendly- yeah we could beat them, It wont mean much though

But if they beat us, it'll be confirmation in the eyes of the media and some England "fans" that England will be lucky to make it out of the groups this summer!

[mystiroakey]

We will quarter final the Cup duty. whatever the result tomorrow

[Guest]

Hart, Smalling, Cole, Jagielka, Walker, Gerrard, Cleverley, Townsend, Lallana, Rooney, Sturridge - line up confirmed for Germany

[Champagne_Socialist]

Hart, Smalling, Cole, Jagielka, Walker, Gerrard, Cleverley, Townsend, Lallana, Rooney, Sturridge - line up confirmed for Germany

I really think England need John Terry back in the starting 11 for the WC. A back 4 where 3 of the players all play together every week for chelsea (cole, terry, cahill) will really help our defence.

I also think Gibbs should be used more often at left back in friendlies and the EC qualifications. He will be the starting left back at Euro 2016 because Cole and baines will be too old and Gibbs who is now the Arsenal starting left back will be the best player.

[mystiroakey]

I would play Jones over cleverly as the holding midfielder

[Duty281]

Just a quick note on Iceland - they drew 0-0 in the first leg against Croatia, so they will only need a score draw or an (even more) improbable victory and they'll be off to Brazil.

Greece were 3-1 winners, so have one foot in the World Cup. As do Ukraine, who triumphed over France 2-0.

Portugal-Sweden? Still in the balance!

As for England, I'm pleased that Lallana is getting another chance. Disappointed that Cleverley starts ahead of Jones or Wilshere though - this is Germany, not Moldova. And I wish people would stop banging on about Germany's "incredible" youth system in the media - they've won nothing for 18 years, and they needed all manner of luck to win Euro 96!

I actually think England are a better footballing side than Germany. England were at their lowest ebb in 2010, Germany at their highest. And Germany still needed the worst refereeing decision in the history of association football to beat England. Doesn't that tell you something?

Let Roy's boys go forward together.

Prediction: England 3-0 Germany.

[NickisBHAFC]

Last England player to score against Germany was Matt Upson, without him on the field i can't see us scoring.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Just a quick note on Iceland - they drew 0-0 in the first leg against Croatia, so they will only need a score draw or an (even more) improbable victory and they'll be off to Brazil.

Greece were 3-1 winners, so have one foot in the World Cup. As do Ukraine, who triumphed over France 2-0.

Portugal-Sweden? Still in the balance!

As for England, I'm pleased that Lallana is getting another chance. Disappointed that Cleverley starts ahead of Jones or Wilshere though - this is Germany, not Moldova. And I wish people would stop banging on about Germany's "incredible" youth system in the media - they've won nothing for 18 years, and they needed all manner of luck to win Euro 96!

I actually think England are a better footballing side than Germany. England were at their lowest ebb in 2010, Germany at their highest. And Germany still needed the worst refereeing decision in the history of association football to beat England. Doesn't that tell you something?

Let Roy's boys go forward together.

Prediction: England 3-0 Germany.

Come on, be serious. Germany's youth system is amazing. And Germany have not won anything since 96 but they came 2nd WC in 2002, came 3rd in the world cup 2006, came 2nd in Euro 2008, came 3rd in world cup 2010 and reached the semi finals of euro 2012.

That is some amazing results and highlights just how good they are.

[Duty281]

You don't anything for not winning. It's either win or lose, and Germany have lost at every major tournament since 1998. So much for thier youth system, they are the nearly men.

And they only got to the final in 2002 because of a p!ss easy draw. Swap England and Germany around, and England would have made the final.

[super_realist]

England would be creaming their pants if they'd done as well as Germany in competitions.

Credit where credit is due, Germany are in a different class to Engerland, always have been.

As for England reaching the final in 2002, pure conjection. If my aunty had balls she'd be my uncle. Bit like saying "if we'd scored more goals than them, we'd have won"

[westisbest]

It was tough for Germany who have had to play 2 away games in 4 days. They played a lot of big names against Italy on Friday and I don't think club managers would be too happy with their players playing again on the Tuesday.

My personal opinion is that there should just be one friendly on the Saturday instead of 2 friendlies on the friday and tuesday.

True.
Saturday would have been perfect.

No need for 2 friendlies.

[Champagne_Socialist]

You don't anything for not winning. It's either win or lose, and Germany have lost at every major tournament since 1998. So much for thier youth system, they are the nearly men.

And they only got to the final in 2002 because of a p!ss easy draw. Swap England and Germany around, and England would have made the final.

 

[Duty281]

England would be creaming their pants if they'd done as well as Germany in competitions.

Credit where credit is due, Germany are in a different class to Engerland, always have been.

As for England reaching the final in 2002, pure conjection. If my aunty had balls she'd be my uncle. Bit like saying "if we'd scored more goals than them, we'd have won"

Look at Germany's route to the final! If England had that, it would have been a stroll in. Before losing to Brazil in the final.

England were the second best team at that tournament - they were the only team to get close to Brazil.

[Duty281]

You don't anything for not winning. It's either win or lose, and Germany have lost at every major tournament since 1998. So much for thier youth system, they are the nearly men.

And they only got to the final in 2002 because of a p!ss easy draw. Swap England and Germany around, and England would have made the final.

 

Germay's trophy room is starting to fill with dust and cobwebs. The results of mental fraility, and being second best.

They're just like England...

[mystiroakey]

18 years of hurt hey!!

ermm...


Its getting to that point isn't it!

[super_realist]

England would be creaming their pants if they'd done as well as Germany in competitions.

Credit where credit is due, Germany are in a different class to Engerland, always have been.

As for England reaching the final in 2002, pure conjection. If my aunty had balls she'd be my uncle. Bit like saying "if we'd scored more goals than them, we'd have won"

Look at Germany's route to the final! If England had that, it would have been a stroll in. Before losing to Brazil in the final.

England were the second best team at that tournament - they were the only team to get close to Brazil.

       

[mystiroakey]

Al right SR

Having fun bud .


TBH I have never been so disinterested with an England game as I am with this one today.

[Stella]

You don't anything for not winning. It's either win or lose, and Germany have lost at every major tournament since 1998. So much for thier youth system, they are the nearly men.

And they only got to the final in 2002 because of a p!ss easy draw. Swap England and Germany around, and England would have made the final.

So, going out in the first round is the same as losing in the final?

[super_realist]

Al right SR

Having fun bud .


TBH I have never been so disinterested with an England game as I am with this one today.

I think that fellow ought to look up "objective" in the dictionary eh Oakey?

Agreed, pointless game, result will tell you nothing, especially in the context of a World Cup. South American teams likely to fair better than a nation that traditionally goes deep in a tournament and the other who is home before the postcards.

[mystiroakey]

Duty is a great poster SR.

Anyway if Germany do things right in 2014 i think they can be very optimistic for the WC win.. You only have to look at bayern to see the difference in class at the highest level..

But tonight's game will tell us nothing.

[NickisBHAFC]

Duty is a great poster SR.

Anyway if Germany do things right in 2014 i think they can be very optimistic for the WC win.. You only have to look at bayern to see the difference in class at the highest level..

But tonight's game will tell us nothing.

 

[mystiroakey]

Naughty Nick!

[super_realist]

He may well be, but he's a bit too partisan when it comes to England's chances in anything. Too much flag waving, assumptions and blind hope rather than any sort of realism or objectivity.

[mystiroakey]

It is needed for Balance SR.

[super_realist]

Maybe, but I think he's a bit off balance. Expecting England to be capable of winning is like expecting John Isner to win a Grand Slam. POssible, but highly unlikely.

[mystiroakey]

And you are balancing it the other way.

Much more chance of England winning than that dude!

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