Gingerfinch wrote:sussexpob wrote:1998 - Dominating the match? That's not how I remember it. I remember a decent first half, but pretty desperate defence for most of the second half. And penalties is theoretically a 50:50 shot, yet we lost. You can argue about Beckham's red card, but he was fool enough to retaliate right in front of the referee.
Argentina scored first with a very generous penalty.
That game still ranks as one of the best I've seen for pure excitement, highs and in the end lows. I haven't seen the game for a while but I'm almost certain the Argentine penalty was the correct decision.
Besides, when we talk about cricket, we don't allow teams to use dodgy umpiring as an excuse. The 2010 disallowed goal is an example. Yes, if it had been allowed it would have been 2-2 at half time, but anything that might have happened or not in the second half is pure speculation. All we have are the established facts of what did happen in the second half, which is that Germany scored two more goals, and England scored none. It's a pretty big stretch to say that having your dander up a bit at half time is worth two goals. Plus every match report I've read over to remind myself of that game indicates that Germany were clearly the better team, and deserved the win.
sussexpob wrote:You might say its pressure and the big boys should be able to control it, but even the best are subject to that..... look at someone like Serena Williams, didnt she once lose a grandslam final to one of the belge girls because she went mental and was docked a game on a line call reaction? Shes the best womens sportstar arguably ever.
sussexpob wrote:Id say judging on my lifetime, the only way to appease people back home is to make the last 4. No matter how well you play, no matter if you lose on penalties in a much you should have won to a world beating team....dont make the semi's, you will be ripped apart when you land back. And you ask the question why our players crumble under pressure? Probably because the country feeds so much negativity into things. So on occasions we only make it out the groups and lose to the first decent team. Still makes you a top 10 in the world side, its hardly a national embarrassment is it?
It refreshing to be in Belgium for the lead up to this tournament. People getting behind the spirit of it all, positivity, a bit of a "who cares if we win, its the world cup, it will be fun". A bit of togetherness. No journo's here already setting up the fall guy for the end like England are doing to Sterling. No hate..... Just wonderful really.
Read the Spanish, French, Belgian, South American press..... ok, there are expectations in some nations to do well, but more than often pre-tournament its excitement.
The British press is already dripping with toxicity.
sussexpob wrote:Lukaku has been so poor this year. He just missed a chance v Egypt from about 3 yards out. Although first 20 minutes, Belgium look depressingly slick.
Gingerfinch wrote:sussexpob wrote:Id say judging on my lifetime, the only way to appease people back home is to make the last 4. No matter how well you play, no matter if you lose on penalties in a much you should have won to a world beating team....dont make the semi's, you will be ripped apart when you land back. And you ask the question why our players crumble under pressure? Probably because the country feeds so much negativity into things. So on occasions we only make it out the groups and lose to the first decent team. Still makes you a top 10 in the world side, its hardly a national embarrassment is it?
It refreshing to be in Belgium for the lead up to this tournament. People getting behind the spirit of it all, positivity, a bit of a "who cares if we win, its the world cup, it will be fun". A bit of togetherness. No journo's here already setting up the fall guy for the end like England are doing to Sterling. No hate..... Just wonderful really.
Read the Spanish, French, Belgian, South American press..... ok, there are expectations in some nations to do well, but more than often pre-tournament its excitement.
The British press is already dripping with toxicity.
Most people I speak to will be happy with last 8 and see England play some good Football. Last 4 will be a brucie bonus!
bigfluffylemon wrote: And I think you forgot Iceland in 2016 sussex.
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