Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

mikesiva wrote:Danny Rose.

Are you referring to yesterdays comments about racism in Russia, or his admission to suffering from depression today? The latter I have to confess is a bizarre thing to volunteer before a major tournament to the press, but then again fair play to the lad for having the balls to speak about it in public. I wish him well in his recovery.

The former issue, racism from the stands, could be a very poignant issue at this tournament as Rose points out. Its happened in high profile matches before, and I think two of the Russian CL teams have played to empty stands as punishment. While I dont want to get into the whole ins and outs of the Russian hooligans again (if youre interested, viewtopic.php?f=26&t=20870&p=649882&hilit=russian+hooligans#p649882), I believe that Putin has gone full barrel at making sure the known groups that cause most of the trouble will be far away from the stadia.

I believe many groups in Russia have actually complained of harassment and threats made from the Police. Many of them were rejected Fan id's needed to get into the games, and there is even talk of groups having been infiltrated by secret police to monitor them. I believe Putin has also directly stated that if violence or racism is linked back to any domestic groups its going to be prison for everyone involved, without any worthwhile questions about who really is to blame. Id be surprised if any of these organizations that in the past have been responsible will try this time. Putin has made the consequences very harsh.

Nevertheless, one does have to think what happens in the scenario of racial abuse coming from the stands? It seems a really tough question for this day in age, because the obvious reaction to it that I would personally advocate is for the referee to pick up the ball and lead the players off. The World Cup is important, but FIFA could really set an amazing precedent for the future with regards to the issue and support players who have been the victim by standing by them... the football comes secondary.

But thats not going to happen, is it? I can see a player going full on Balotelli and kicking a ball into the stand or swearing and confronting fans, maybe walking off on their own (especially if its a player of ethnic origin in a white majority team (not a slur on Balo, I think I would be unable to contain myself in a dignified manner if it was me).... How would refs respond to that? If its extra time with 3 subs each team and a player gets called an racist term from the stands, does he have to stay on or leave his team down to 10? Could you imagine if that player was Sterling..... walking off at 0-0 leaving us down to 10? He statement would be right, understandable, but hed probably not set foot in England again.

Lots to ponder. You'd hope that FIFA have thought about this and drilled the refs on contingency plans. England certainly seem to have discussed it and have a policy towards it according to Rose. It seems that any player subjected to racism (from Rose's words) should try to stay calm and approach the captain Harry Kane, who will relay to the ref.

I was thinking about his courage in speaking out about mental health issues, but yeah the Russian racism issue is a serious one too.

My wife's best friend has rebuilt her life after suffering from depression.

My daughter had to have counselling for mental health issues when she was at university, so I have respect for anyone who comes to grips with it and speaks openly about that struggle.

Lovely goal from Rashford

Fabian Delph is the Bairstow of this team - played out of position. #TenuousCricketLink

The Professor wrote:Fabian Delph is the Bairstow of this team - played out of position. #TenuousCricketLink

Hes in his position, he played as a CM for all his career bar this one.

Nice little ball from Alli there. Performed well in these two matches, but we look a bit vulnerable at times at the back.

As if Costa Rica have a right back called Ian Smith in their ranks

Alviro Patterson wrote:As if Costa Rica have a right back called Ian Smith in their ranks

Twitter seems to have gone meltdown on this, but hes from a country where there is a significant white western immigrant population. Central Americans tend to take a first and last name from each parent, usually the dad picks the first name and his surname, the mother picks the middle name and donates her surname.Id guess that his dad is American/British and his mother Costa Rican, and his real name is Ian Santos Smith Vivas or something like that.

Meszito's have always historically taken the name of the European to use in everyday usage for obvious historical social advantages.

Ian Rey Smith Quiros.

Quiros being the mother's name i believe.

Remember Joel Campbell who played in the last world cup for Costa Rica and then played Arsenal?

He had jamaican grandparents. In the early twentieth century a lot of Jamaicans migrated to central America in search of work.

mikesiva wrote:Ian Rey Smith Quiros.

Quiros being the mother's name i believe

Yes, thats how it would work in Meszito culture. Even Lionel Messi is the same.

His real name is Lionel Andres Messi Cutticinni or something like this, but like Smtih, drops his mothers contribution.

first half was definitely the Rashford show... well done to him. It will be hard to leave him out after a statement like that.

After the final whistle, the commentator said "2-nil, but it could have been more", or words to that effect, as if that was a good thing. What worries me is that England are still missing so many chances.... so many good chances

I think a more accurate summary would have been "2-nil, but it should really have been more"

maybe I'm being greedy. It was a good win

I agree with SP that England looked a bit iffy at the back at times...... CB's getting caught out of position.

something to work on

Well Australia's won their last 2 warm up games. Sure against teams who have already started there summer holidays, but its kinda positive...

yuppie wrote:Well Australia's won their last 2 warm up games. Sure against teams who have already started there summer holidays, but its kinda positive...

Not sure whats happened to Hungary, coming into the 2016 Euro's they had a decent run and were being billed as having their best team since their old glory days, a potential banana skin possibly for a few teams (the winners Portugal didnt beat them, did they)....

2 years later, they cant beat Faroe Islands, Luxembourg nor Andorra......

Andorra..... How can you lose to Andorra!