World Cup 2014

[caller]

We should never have lost that game. We had more than enough chances, but some poor finishing.

Defensively, we fall a bit short, but then we knew that. We were very exposed on the left.

Not quite sure I understand all the substitutions. When Wilshire came on, we just seemed too crowded trying to play through the middle.

Although Rooney did well to make the goal, I think his overall contribution needs to be considered - is it enough? He really should have done better with his best chance from what, 8-yards out and didn't even hit the target. Same question for the sainted Gerrard.

But despite that, there was a lot of positives, especially Sterling and Sturridge.

Overall, a feeling of frustration. We didn't deserve to lose.

[migrant]

Not real knowledgeable on the game, and only saw the last half, but England sure seemed to control the ball most the time, just couldn't score

[pharvey]

Strangely enough, I'm far from knowledgeable on the apparent wonders of Wenyball either, but actually thought it a fair result.

Shrek/Wingnut/Rooney I don't think did anything (aside of course for a goal scoring pass....), but a few of the English players did make it exciting - not great with names, but 11, 9 & 19 stood out.......

Made me laugh with the comments at half time saying Rooney didn't like the role he was playing as he had to "work"!!!

I also thought the referee did well - not giving in to the Prima donna poncing around on the floor after being brushed.......

Certainly good signs for Beelzibub and his XI I would have thought??

[Dannie Boy]

There were a few positives in the game, Sterling for sure and Sturridge and Welbeck were ok. Rooney played a big part in the goal, but didn't do much else apart from miss a good chance. I thought Gerrard and Henderson had fairly quiet games. Not a great fan of Johnson, for me he doesn't quite have the skill required at this level and so many times his final ball is not a good one. Baines looked uncomfortable, particularly in the first half, but then having to contend with two attackers most of the time would be daunting for anybody. Barkley looked ok coming on but the other two subs had little impact on the game. Although England could quite easily have got a draw, Italy probably did just enough to justify their win. One thing that surprised me was that Gerrard didn't make more of his possible penalty appeal - we needed a Japanese ref!!

[dtaai-maai]

One thing that surprised me was that Gerrard didn't make more of his possible penalty appeal - we needed a Japanese ref!!

True, but another sad reflection on the state of the game - is the ref really going to base his decision on the strength of the player's appeal? Even the commentators said much the same - something like "the ref was probably swayed by the fact that Gerrard didn't appeal". Call me old-fashioned, but I've always had more respect for players who dust themselves off and get on with it.

[Dannie Boy]

One thing that surprised me was that Gerrard didn't make more of his possible penalty appeal - we needed a Japanese ref!!

True, but another sad reflection on the state of the game - is the ref really going to base his decision on the strength of the player's appeal? Even the commentators said much the same - something like "the ref was probably swayed by the fact that Gerrard didn't appeal". Call me old-fashioned, but I've always had more respect for players who dust themselves off and get on with it.

I'm with you on sentiment, but unfortunately these days we see so many instances of penalty appeals when there has been no contact, at least in this case there was clear body contact, so IMO an appeal would have been justified and then it's down to the ref.

[dozer]

As a neutral I did enjoy the game, well worth getting up at 05:00.

One thing that needs to change is England's obsession with Rooney, with Sturridge up front and Sterling playing just behind, I don’t see how he can be in the starting eleven.

[Zidane]

I thought overall England played quite well but we were weak in the centre of defence.For years we have had Ferdinand and Terry shoring things up but theyve gone now.Cahill and Jagielka are decent enough pros but not world class imo.....also Baines was off colour defensively today.
But we have got some promising young players in the squad.....Sterling,Barkley,Sturridge,Henderson,Wilshere,Lallana,Shaw etc.and I feel a lot more positive now than I did during Capellos awful campaign in 2010.
We have to beat Uruguay and Costa Rica,end of.Although Uruguay were surprisingly beaten by Costa Rica,Suarez should be back to face England......both teams have relatively weak defences so it could well end up 3-2 or 4-3 to somebody.
England had no luck whatsoever with about half a dozen chances they created but,also,Jagielka headed off the line and Pirlo hit the bar for Italy,so maybe evened out a little bit.
Rooney is lucky there isnt much competition up front.He spurned a good chance and that corner he planted into the crowd !
I think we still have a reasonable chance of progressing on the evidence of today and,I agree,the ref had a good game.

[blue05]

that Arsenal kid at Costa Rica looks the bollocks

[dozer]

One British Newspaper Predicts England's 2014 Team And Got It Terribly Wrong!



Back in 2007, the Daily Mail predicted which promising young stars would make the 2014 England squad. The results? 0/11 (Walcott was unlucky to pick up another injury). However, a terrible effort from the British newspaper.

[arcadianagain]

Agree with all of the above on England`s performance, but I am encouraged of their chances of going through having watched the CR Uruguay match, neither side looked up to much, maybe Suarez will make a difference, if he is fit.

[caller]

Back in 2007, the Daily Mail predicted which promising young stars would make the 2014 England squad. The results? 0/11 (Walcott was unlucky to pick up another injury). However, a terrible effort from the British newspaper.

Can't speak for the other's, but Chelsea's Sam Hutchinson had a terrible time with injuries and actually quit the game at one stage. He's recently been released after being on loan at Forest, Wednesday and Vitesse, but I'm sure he'll be in demand and can hopefully still enjoy a decent career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Hutchinson

[Esmeralda]

I've just arrived in Hua Hin and wondering which is the best place to catch games? I'm not knowledgeable at all but always great to gather for a world sports event. Are there particular sports bar that shows every game?

Cheers.

[dozer]

US 2 Ghana 1


The US was outplayed, but Ghana kept missing the net. A quick score followed by 80 minutes of weak-looking defense and poor passing is how I would characterize the game from the US point of view. Then they got lucky on a corner kick.
If this is as exciting as Klinsmann's team is going to be, it won't be much fun to watch.
Man of the match:
Tim Howard, U.S. goalkeeper

[caller]

Anyone see the Germany game? I was expecting a close, tightly fought contest.

But it was all too easy for the Germans and to be honest, based on their attitude and (non) performance, I really don't know why the Portuguese actually bothered turning up? They were woeful, Ronaldo clearly wasn't fit, Pepe was deservedly sent off (not withstanding Muller's initial play acting) and 2 key players injured and out of the tournament.

As for Nani - just what has happened to this player? He's become a nonentity at United and he's now a liability for his Country.

All credit to the Germans, but they won that at a canter and without having to try too hard.

Strange days.