Russia v Saudi Arabia, 14th June, 4pm(GMT)

[Bilo]

Agreed. Bit more physicality would help too, but some promising signs. Some nice triangles in midfield.

Up. I have given it.

 

[Skinner]

Agreed. Bit more physicality would help too, but some promising signs. Some nice triangles in midfield.

Either you're fishing or you have a very good dealer

 

[Chris FGR]

Either you're fishing or you have a very good dealer

Am I not allowed an opinion that's different to yours without you insulting me for it?

 

[Habbinalan]

That was offside, so how come no VAR is used?

My immediate thoughts were:

1. They're in Russia
2. It's FIFA
3. Both the above are getting what was required.

 

[Nilsson]

Saudi Arabia are far too lightweight, they wouldn't look out of place at next years Women's World Cup.

Fair play to Russian though, scored some nice goals, got the party started. I reckon they'll give Egypt and Uruguay decent games.

 

[Bilo]

That was offside, so how come no VAR is used?

It's close, but it wasn't offside. I think it's the defenders left leg that plays him just on.

Yes, this is what it has come to.

 

[G-Dragon]

Looks like Saudi Arabia will beheading home soon.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Wouldn't go as far as to call Russia dark horses just off the back of that, although to be fair I did expect the game to be much closer and was actually fancying the Saudis to nick a draw pre match. With a defence as leaky as that and being as lightweight as they are they'll be on the first plane home. Still, great start for the hosts and that goal difference could be a factor come the third game, in what will be a tight group I expect.

 

[Bobbin']

Really looking forward to a 48 team tournament where we can be treated to even more tripe like Saudi Arabia.

 

[rudebwoyben]

I wonder if the fact that Ramadan is ongoing affected the Saudi performance? Surely they would have been given dispensation to break their fasts early in preparation for their matches?

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

The Saudis have always been dreadful whipping boys (lol) tbh. You only have to look back at their last couple of Finals appearances to see that. A 4-0 loss to Ukraine in 06, an 8-0 defeat to Germany in 02. One point, two goals and a combined -17 GD from those two tournaments alone. In short, they're RUBBISH.

 

[Abertawe]

Wouldn't go as far as to call Russia dark horses just off the back of that, although to be fair I did expect the game to be much closer and was actually fancying the Saudis to nick a draw pre match. With a defence as leaky as that and being as lightweight as they are they'll be on the first plane home. Still, great start for the hosts and that goal difference could be a factor come the third game, in what will be a tight group I expect.

You fancied Saudis to nick a draw?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

You fancied Saudis to nick a draw?

I thought they might! Or at least I thought the odds looked too far in Russia's favour that they should have been.

That's my first bet and first couple quid down the drain of the tournament. Probably won't be the last!

 

[Bilo]

I thought they might! Or at least I thought the odds looked too far in Russia's favour that they should have been.

That's my first bet and first couple quid down the drain of the tournament. Probably won't be the last!

You weren't alone really, Russia hadn't won in seven matches and the Saudis have done okish leading up to the tournament.

 

[YorkshireRed20]

Their defence was shambolic, the fella Hawsawi was absolutely atrocious. Couple of decent
players. Skilful and pacy, but not good enough.

Russia have done themselves a huge favour, especially with that goal difference.

 

[Super_horns]

Saudi Arabia only just lost to Germany the other week - Germany must have just not trying very hard !!

Decent goals for Russia and will boost their goal difference but much tougher games to come ofcouse where their defenders will be tested .

 

[Soup Ladle]

Saudi Arabia a decent side? Fuck me sideways. Tippy tappy they may be but are physically weak, poor defensively and nothing up front. Russia are shit as well by the way but didn’t need to get out of 3rd gear to win this at a canter. Egypt and especially Uruguay will be sterner opposition but a 5-0 win in a WC group match puts you in with a great chance of getting through.

 

[SoutheySWFC]

The Saudis have always been dreadful whipping boys (lol) tbh. You only have to look back at their last couple of Finals appearances to see that. A 4-0 loss to Ukraine in 06, an 8-0 defeat to Germany in 02. One point, two goals and a combined -17 GD from those two tournaments alone. In short, they're RUBBISH.

Did they get battered 6-0 in 94 too? I remember watching it on a portable/handheld tv out on a school residential.

Didn't see the game today so won't comment but if/when we expand to 48 teams these scores will be common.

 

[SALTIRE]

Really looking forward to a 48 team tournament where we can be treated to even more tripe like Saudi Arabia.

Well we'll be there for a start (actually no, no we won't, not under eejits like Machooooleeesh). I'll just watch from afar again after 30 years of us not making it - WHY ARE WE SO SHITE!!!

 

[Libertadores FC]

I just wanted to point fingers at Juan Antonio Pizzi. Saudi Arabia were likely going to lose tonight no matter what, but the tactical display was suicide. There was no cover for the attacking full backs and tried to play it from the back when throughout the match, it was seen that those defenders do not have the quality to do so. He also should have played a more narrow formation. In the middle, Saudi Arabia actually weren't awful, but instead they played it out wide where they lost the ball a lot in lateral positions.

Pizzi is getting payed millions when he can't even read basic things like player qualities, and it showed tonight and it showed in his time with Chile. He's an awful manager.

 

[Gassy]

My goodness were Saudi awful. Im not sure I've ever seen such a bad team at a World Cup before.

Russia were ok, took their chances tbf, but it's not like they played amazing - they had faults in their game no doubt, Suarez & Salah will be watering at the mouth watching that game

 

[rudebwoyben]

Did they get battered 6-0 in 94 too? I remember watching it on a portable/handheld tv out on a school residential.

Didn't see the game today so won't comment but if/when we expand to 48 teams these scores will be common.

No, they got beaten 8-0 by Germany in the 2002 tournament. They actually won 2 matches in 1994 (Morocco and Belgium) and reached the round of 16.

 

[Chris FGR]

Anyone saying Saudi were awful doesn't know much about football imo. Technically they are very decent, it was their inept tactics that made the score look bad. Russia were also superb, would have beaten a lot of teams playing like that. Think the Saudi's are a lot better then they were last time they qualified. If they tighten up they could surprise Egypt or Uruguay.

 

[Gassy]

Anyone saying Saudi were awful doesn't know much about football imo. Technically they are very decent, it was their inept tactics that made the score look bad. Russia were also superb, would have beaten a lot of teams playing like that. Think the Saudi's are a lot better then they were last time they qualified. If they tighten up they could surprise Egypt or Uruguay.

I didn't realise L2 football had gotten so bad

 

[Devon_Lad]

Anyone saying Saudi were awful doesn't know much about football imo. Technically they are very decent, it was their inept tactics that made the score look bad. Russia were also superb, would have beaten a lot of teams playing like that. Think the Saudi's are a lot better then they were last time they qualified. If they tighten up they could surprise Egypt or Uruguay.

It's a bit too early to be on the drink mate!

 

[rudebwoyben]

The ability to play a few nice triangular passing moves in the middle of the pitch far away from the opposition goal and in front of the opposition defence does not a good team make.

 

[CFC91]

They were awful, truly awful. Defensively horrendous, wouldn't have scored if they were still playing now and Ruski's had gone home.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Saudi were shit end of.

I’m used to watching crap football so I should know what a crap team is. Unless the definition of a good team is players who can’t defend, physically weak and lack any kind of quality up top

But yeah apart from that they were totes amazeballs innit