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

alfie wrote:

GarlicJam wrote:

sussexpob wrote:

GarlicJam wrote:is this the qualifying matches for the Olympics?

In a way yes, because the group winner qualifies. But the Nations League is also a tournament in itself

right. We've been having a 4 team "tournament" in Aus the past couple of weeks, which is also the qualifying for the next stage on the road to Paris.

Aus, Taiwan, Philippines and Iran. Aus won their games (in order listed) 3, 8, and 2 to nil.

I don't think hey have qualified for the Olympics yet, though.

Yeah , think it is similar to that European Nations League thing : now have to go on and play other group winners - probably Japan or one of the Koreas.

Right.

I just came to report what I had just read:

"They will now face off against the top finishers in the two other Olympic qualifier groups, as well.

The structure for February's matches is yet to be determined.'

Seemingly Oceania was given one spot for Paris and France get in as hosts, of course. The other 10 teams will come from 2 each of the other continents

USA and Canada are through already, as are Columbia and Brazil.

Australia is not in Oceania any more though Durham, we are in Asia

oh right.... blimey, when did that happen and who is left in Oceania?

2006, seemingly

I'm well off the pace.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of point in having an Oceania confederation, tbh. Begs the question of why there isn't just an expanded Asia confederation.

I knew none of this stuff. I've always said that I'm a bit dim

after all the endless complaining about VAR dominating the game, I note that Chelsea women are complaining about a lack of VAR in their CL match with Madrid

Complaints about VAR or its absence always depend on whether or not the decision goes against you. Human nature, I suppose

Durhamfootman wrote:after all the endless complaining about VAR dominating the game, I note that Chelsea women are complaining about a lack of VAR in their CL match with Madrid

Complaints about VAR or its absence always depend on whether or not the decision goes against you. Human nature, I suppose

Please no VAR! It's one of things that I like about Women's Football.

good to see Beth Mead back in the England squad

you see.... no VAR and what happens? England shoot at goal, the keeper makes a good save and tips it around the corner of the goal. Ref inexplicably gives it as a goal kick and Holland score from the goal kick in the same way that England concede every goal lately.... long ball behind the CBs and in on goal.

that'll do me. All over in the first 30 minutes.

It's very frustrating watching England playing the same game over and over again. Piling bodies forward, building pressure, but creating very little. The key ball is always a little short, or a little heavy, or a little behind, thus making it easier to defend against. Then they keep conceding the same goals over and over and over again, the ball behind the centre backs one on one with the keeper or... and sometimes and.... giving the ball away in a dangerous area and getting punished for it. Today it's 'and'.

No matter what formation they play, these nations league games have all played out the same way. Where did this all come from? The last time they played the dutch they had a back three, got over-run and had to switch to a back 4. Today they play as a back 4 and keep getting caught out with a back 2. Until the summer this never seemed to be a problem..... England always looked defensively solid. Now they look vulnerable at the back to every team they play. Even Scotland caused them some problems defensively in the opening match

Well that was a game of two halves. England have battered the Dutch and are deservedly in front.

well.... don't I feel silly?

actually, no I don't. I have no idea how England got themselves back into the game, because I've only just gone in to see what the final score was, but I stand by everything I said earlier. There's something not right with this side atm, and I can't put my finger on what it is, other than that they don't seem to have a settled XI, or an understanding of which combination of players will work against which sides. At the same time, every team they play knows exactly how to play against England, because they all keep on scoring the same goals. Sit back until England commit 8 players forward, then hit them on the break with long passes in behind and at pace. Recently, England have struggled to defend that no matter what combination of players they utilise at the back

England still need Belgium to do them a favour on Tuesday, because things are not yet quite in their own hands..... they'll need to score a load of goals against Scotland should NL win. In addition to their defensive struggles, the sheer number of stupid, unnecessary goals that England have conceded in this campaign beggars belief. In particular the defensive pass forward to a midfielder running back towards them who can only give the defender the ball back because they're surrounded by the opposition players is fraught with danger and has me putting my hands in front of my face all the time... disaster waiting to happen.... stop it, for crying out loud!

no GB at the olympics

The Netherland's score 2 goals in stoppage time to get ahead of England's 6-0 win over Scotland

England hit the wood work twice and squandered as many as they scored, but ultimately it was the stupid goals they conceded against Holland and Belgium that did for them

well done to the dutch, they will have seen goals flying in at Hampden, then they got themselves ahead in stoppage time only to see England nudge ahead 2 mins later, but they held it together and found that extra goal

England only have themselves to blame, even if they very nearly did it

Hemp had two glorious chances tonight and the commentators were saying how well she played?

We really should have got at least three more tonight but that loss to Belgium done us.

couple of sitters missed by Hemp. the second half chance ended up being a good save, but the first half chance where she hit the post was just a plain old open goal