World Cup 2018

[JaredSUFC]

Being unbeaten is irrelevant you're already 4 points off the pace. Just as I predicted in June you won't qualify for a world cup this nor any time soon. This is as good as you'll ever be too down to having one of the proper world class players. I personally would be more than happy for you to qualify but it won't happen. A loss in Dublin and it's done and dusted

Likewise a win in Dublin and we're in the strongest position. 4 games out of 10 played 6 gained and we have to play Ireland home and away. Last night it was pretty obvious that the best player from Euro 2016 had only played about an hour since July 1st, we've gained 6 points, and remain unbeaten, despite not having our best 11 on the field once so far. Of course we're a little behind where one would hope to be, but I'm not unconfident

 

[epic73]

We were nicer than in 2006 for the Qualifiers for the Euro 2008 where we won 13-0. And hey, we had only 85% ball posession.
But, seriously, you can't "win" (sympathies) in matches against teams like San Marino, Andorra, Liechtenstein and so on. If you win only 2-0, 3-0 they say you didn't take it serious. If you win 8-0 and higher they say you are "meanies" because you slaughtered the "poor amateurs".
No, Germany showed them respect because they took the match serious and played as if we played against higher class opponents (btw Norway had difficulties to win against them 4-1 with many late goals due to sinking strenght of the San Marino players)

I was joking, but thank you for the long response.

 

[blademan89]

Likewise a win in Dublin and we're in the strongest position. 4 games out of 10 played 6 gained and we have to play Ireland home and away. Last night it was pretty obvious that the best player from Euro 2016 had only played about an hour since July 1st, we've gained 6 points, and remain unbeaten, despite not having our best 11 on the field once so far. Of course we're a little behind where one would hope to be, but I'm not unconfident

We shall see its a poor standard of a group so you'll never have a better chance. I'd rather you get there than Ireland that is for sure.

 

[Dirk]

I was joking, but thank you for the long response.

I know that it was meant as a joke and my response wasn't especially directed to you but more of a general remark about matches against those teams like San Marino.

 

[epic73]

I know that it was meant as a joke and my response wasn't especially directed to you but more of a general remark about matches against those teams like San Marino.

OK.

 

[mistermagic]

3 years ago Serbia destroyed us 3-0 in Cardiff, yesterday they celebrated their equaliser like the winner in a cup final. We're still unbeaten in the group and were it not for 6cm of the post we would have won last night.

Typical England fan talking nonsense when it comes to Wales

I think it was jumping to conclusions of a surprisinlgy bad result against a side you are expected to comfortably beat (home or away) if you want to take top spot. Not only this result, but the Ireland win in Austria asks serious questions about Austria who are making it look like 2016 is going to be the exception rather than the norm. Shame.

 

[mnb089mnb]

Wales proving June was just a fluke. They would of never even been in France if it wasn't for the extra qualifying spot. Back to reality for the taffs

would of.

10th best qualifying record. good enough to be in top 16. simple.

 

[blademan89]

would of.

10th best qualifying record. good enough to be in top 16. simple.

Finished 2nd would of had to play a playoff which they'd of lost

 

[JaredSUFC]

Finished 2nd would of had to play a playoff which they'd of lost

You assume we would have lost

 

[mistermagic]

China have beaten South Korea!!!

Iran cement their top spot with in Qatar but that defeat is a shocking result for the Koreans. China just don't ever win qualifiers against anyone good. How on earth did this happen? Elsewhere, if like me you wish to have a Russia vs Syria World Cup opener in Moscow then you'll be very happy to know that Syria beat Uzbekistan 1-0.

In Group B, Australia could do no better than a draw in Iraq 1-1 while Japan and Saudi Arabia won their games away from home. Unlike Group A where the top two is easily predictable (despite South Korea doing their best to be shit), Group B is going to be interesting as Australia, Japan & the Saudis are 3 solid sides who will want to qualify directly.

 

[Super_horns]

Poor game so far - Wales had been better team but Taylor just went right through Coleman who looks like he has broken a leg..

 

[Renegade]

Horror tackle, RTÉ wouldn't show the replay.

https://twitter.com/BeWarmers/status/845384876610277377

 

[Nilsson]

Just seen a truly horrific picture on twitter of that. Hope it's not as bad as it looks.

 

[Renegade]

Deserves a lengthy ban, he was targetting Coleman, nowhere near the ball and the game was very heated in the lead up to the challenge after a poor Bale challenge. This horrible image sums it up, not for the squeamish:

http://imgur.com/a/wSQl4

 

[Master D]

That game was rancid. Ireland are awful to watch, just a load of hoofing workhorse journeymen.

You'll be pleased to know that Neil Taylor "isn't that sort of player" though. Well, he is because he did it.

 

[Blitzballer]

Deserves a lengthy ban, he was targetting Coleman, nowhere near the ball and the game was very heated in the lead up to the challenge after a poor Bale challenge. This horrible image sums it up, not for the squeamish:

http://imgur.com/a/wSQl4

Ouch, that looks brutal

 

[Nilsson]

Bale lucky to not get sent off too?

 

[G-Dragon]

Oshea really lucky there too. Both teams were dirty as the game got heated imho.

 

[Benji]

Bad game. Probably narrowly the better team but not by much. Awful tackle by Taylor, looked bad for Coleman. I find it difficult to see us qualify now to be honest.

 

[Nilsson]

Christ, bet Ledley and Taylor are cringing at this picture.

 

[Blitzballer]

tib and fib completely fucked. Career ending stuff. Hope he makes a full recovery

 

[blademan89]

How the fuck can Coleman say he's not really that type of player. There have been tackles in the past where legs have been broken and you genuinely think it was an accident and very unfortunate but this tackle was just all out blatantly going in to hurt Coleman and fuck me he's managed it the dirty twat

 

[Super_horns]

Guess which paper was the only one to actually show Coleman's broken leg....

 

[blademan89]

Guess which paper was the only one to actually show Coleman's broken leg....

Sun or star

 

[mistermagic]

Serbia look to finally look to qualify for a major finals so it'll be hard for Wales to gain back a spot in the top 2. Especially since the next game is in Belgrade.

Elsewhere in the world, Brazil took a decisive lead in the conmebol with a resounding 4-1 in Uruguay. I didn't watch the game so I'm not sure if this says much about Brazil being any good or Uruguay being not that great without Suarez. Brazil are now 7 points clear of Uruguay with a vastly superior goal difference. It's fair to say that they have top spot pretty much in the bag.
The race for the 3 other qualifying slots and the play-off position is nice a and tight though with only 5 points seperating Uruguay (2nd) and Paraguay (7th). Argentina got an important home win against Chile (1-0).

Further North and still in America, the US made some kind of amends for the Costa Rican disaster back in November (0-4) defeat by trouncing Honduras 6-0 (Clint Dempsey got a hat-trick while Dortmund boy Pulisic got a goal). Mexico beat Costa Rica at home while Trinidad & Tobago got a rare win (1-0 against Panama). Still early days in this zone. Yesterday was only 3rd game out of 10.

 

[blademan89]

Wales are shit always have been always will be. They wouldn't of even been in France if it wasn't for the extended format. They'd of lost in a playoff before no doubt. Granted they did well in France they played 3 teams better than them won 1 and lost 2, but did a very good job on the two teams on a par with them. I predicted in July on here to a Welsh kid they will no where near qualify for Russia and he said look at our group it's easy. Well I'm looking at it now and you will finish 4th in it, back to normality. England will win there group as normal then again as normal will perform like a set of shithouses when it matters. I honestly think it would suit England better if they just stick to the routine of flying out to each match the day before the game rather than being stuck in another country's hotel for 3 weeks. I think we can gather by now it's not working is it.

 

[mistermagic]

Wales did finish 2nd in their group so it's a bit touch and go to say they wouldn't have qualified.

 

[blademan89]

Wales did finish 2nd in their group so it's a bit touch and go to say they wouldn't have qualified.

Theyd of lost in a playoff more than likely but yes I can't be sure of that

 

[Benji]

Some England fans are struggling to come to terms with the Welsh era of dominance in British football.

 

[Super_horns]

Dutch 2-0 down in Bulgaria - not sure if we should be that surprised actually.