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Post by Lobster on Nov 12, 2017 10:39:36 GMT
I don't know if anyone follows the qualification for the World Cup around the world as eagerly as me, but this forum's for general football so thought I'd start a long thread to procrastinate in whatever else I should be doing.
As of this morning, we know 26 of the 32 teams who will be at Russia next summer:
Argentina 🇦🇷
Belgium 🇧🇪
Brazil 🇧🇷
Colombia 🇨🇴
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Egypt 🇪🇬
England 🇬🇧 (no St. George's Flag emoji)
France 🇫🇷
Germany 🇩🇪
Iceland 🇮🇸
Iran 🇮🇷
Japan 🇯🇵
Mexico 🇲🇽
Morocco 🇲🇦
Nigeria 🇳🇬
Panama 🇵🇦
Poland 🇵🇱
Portugal 🇵🇹
Russia 🇷🇺
Senegal 🇸🇳
Serbia 🇷🇸
Spain 🇪🇸
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
South Korea 🇰🇷
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Uruguay 🇺🇾
Perhaps the biggest surprise so far is the USA missing out, with Panama qualifying automatically instead. Holland also miss out on their second successive tournament, and the Ivory Coast blew it yesterday by losing at home to Morocco.
That still leaves six places up for grabs, which will be decided over the next few days:
Greece/Croatia - Croatia are more or less there after winning the first leg 4-1. Greece are at home tonight but aren't exactly a team known for big wins.
Switzerland/Northern Ireland - NI are up against it after that awful penalty decision saw them beaten 1-0 at home in the first leg. They deserve better luck and it would be great to see them make it, but hard to see them overturning it in Switzerland tonight.
Italy/Sweden - Italy are in serious danger of missing their first World Cup in 60 years. They lost the first leg 1-0 in Stockholm so need a win on Monday night, and will be in trouble if they let in an away goal. They're also hopeless at penalties. Wouldn't be sorry to see Italy miss out really. They're like the Peter Ebdon of football - very talented but tedious to watch.
Republic of Ireland/Denmark - I'm a bit biased but I think tournaments are always better if Ireland qualify. Sounds like they were horribly negative in drawing 0-0 away last night. I'm never sure a 0-0 away from home in a two-legged game is a great result myself, but hopefully they can win at home against a fairly ordinary Danish side.
Australia/Honduras - The first intercontinental playoff is settled on Wednesday morning. Australia have been pretty disappointing in qualification and Honduras just snook in between Panama and the US to get the playoff place. Not sure either of these teams deserve to qualify really, but I think the Aussies probably will with home advantage after drawing 0-0 away.
New Zealand/Peru - I always feel a bit sorry for New Zealand. With their group being full of tiny Pacific islands, they basically only have one tie every four years that they really need to get themselves up for, and this is it. Peru finished fifth in the South American group and you would expect them to beat NZ at home after the goalless draw in the first leg, and become the last team to qualify in the small hours of Thursday morning.
So, there's a very long-winded post about something nobody probably cares about, but if you do, please join in the thread!
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Post by dmcnally on Nov 12, 2017 10:50:45 GMT
Couldn’t care less about international football. Haven’t watched England, even on tv, for years. If they were playing in my garden I’d close the curtains! All about the CFC...
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Post by Lobster on Nov 12, 2017 11:01:58 GMT
England are hard to get excited about certainly, but World Cups and Euros are still really exciting I think - almost life-defining moments. It's more about the first-timers like Panama and Iceland to me.
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Post by Wortleyblue on Nov 12, 2017 11:07:26 GMT
No interest at all and my only prediction is that England will be on the way home after 3 matches
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Post by imadeva on Nov 12, 2017 11:12:09 GMT
England are hard to get excited about certainly, but World Cups and Euros are still really exciting I think - almost life-defining moments. It's more about the first-timers like Panama and Iceland to me. I also don’t get excited by England,but quite enjoyed it with the young ones in against Germany.like you though I love a tournament you can’t beat them. |
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Post by The Angry Agenda on Nov 12, 2017 11:20:23 GMT
The whole country will still get gripped in World Cup fever
come next June, despite the current England squad not
Being that attractive. Looks like we'll be the only home nation side there as well, as NI have it all to do to get there
now.
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Post by midfieldgeneral on Nov 12, 2017 11:38:32 GMT
Its a long time since, I was gripped by World Cup fever.
England have been shite for as long, as I can remember. The 'Aston Villa' of International Football, will be back on the plane, after 3 games.
It reminds me of the 'old joke.
At the last World Cup.... Rooney turns to Hodgeson and says. 'What are we going for, today, Boss? 4-4-2? 'No, 7-4-7. Its bigger and there's more leg room.'
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Post by Rio Doherty on Nov 12, 2017 12:42:18 GMT
I love a good international tournament, but England bore me to the back teeth. I feel like supporting someone like Panama, although I hope that we will go far. However, I predict us to get knocked out in the last 16 yet again.
Chester FC is more important to me than those prima donna’s.
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Post by steveo1 on Nov 12, 2017 12:46:59 GMT
I love the world cup, major championships brighten up the summer. 4 weeks of solid football, absolutely brilliant. Had some great memories down the years watching it all unfold with and without England.
My passion for England has drifted away since Woy and Gareth have come along, two god awful managers and boring individuals. The days of Bobby, El Tel, Hoddle and co were brilliant.
Its hard going at the moment with England but there are shoots of lights with the youngsters coming through, I actaully enjoyed the game on Friday v Germany and found it refreshing.
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Post by South Wirral Blue on Nov 12, 2017 14:36:01 GMT
Yeah I really enjoy the Euros/World Cup too, thanks for the write up Lobster.
I'm less passionate about England than I was 15/20 years ago but you still can't beat the excitement of being at a major finals - even if our involvement is tediously brief.
I also like coming home from work knowing there's guaranteed to be a few games on the telly that evening.
As for the remaining places, it'd feel very odd if Italy aren't there and I also hope Ireland don't make it.
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Post by Hannibal on Nov 12, 2017 16:23:09 GMT
Yeah I really enjoy the Euros/World Cup too, thanks for the write up Lobster. I'm less passionate about England than I was 15/20 years ago but you still can't beat the excitement of being at a major finals - even if our involvement is tediously brief. I also like coming home from work knowing there's guaranteed to be a few games on the telly that evening. As for the remaining places, it'd feel very odd if Italy aren't there and I also hope Ireland don't make it. I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. |
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Post by Lobster on Nov 12, 2017 16:40:32 GMT
Yeah I really enjoy the Euros/World Cup too, thanks for the write up Lobster. I'm less passionate about England than I was 15/20 years ago but you still can't beat the excitement of being at a major finals - even if our involvement is tediously brief. I also like coming home from work knowing there's guaranteed to be a few games on the telly that evening. As for the remaining places, it'd feel very odd if Italy aren't there and I also hope Ireland don't make it. I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. In the game played in Dublin, Wales' tactic against Ireland was to kick everyone and everything that moves. If there is a grudge it should be Ireland holding it towards Wales, especially after ex-Goat Taylor's terrible tackle on Coleman. In terms of football, Ireland would not bring much to the tournament - they're an average side and Martin O'Neill has set them up very defensively. I think perhaps he overdid it yesterday against an ordinary Denmark and may regret it. Saying that, I like how the Irish (and Northern Irish) go there to have a laugh and make friends, and work extremely hard on the pitch. The sort of people who watch England around the world, on the other hand, don't really seem like the types I want to hang out with! |
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Post by Lobster on Nov 12, 2017 19:18:05 GMT
Harsh on Northern Ireland. A tougher draw than they deserved, and although they didn't play well in the first leg by all accounts, it's a ridiculous penalty that's put them out.
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Post by Little Blue Boy on Nov 12, 2017 19:41:22 GMT
Excellent performance by N. Ireland, deserved to win that second leg.
That Lichtsteiner is a horrible player. Every slight touch he goes down like he's been shot. I sat through the second half hoping someone would stick a reducer on him in a 50/50.
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Post by Hannibal on Nov 12, 2017 21:08:32 GMT
This past week has shown that referees have the power to make or break. Northern Ireland may have lost overall anyway, but that ridiculous penalty should not have been given. Similarly the ref in our game on Wednesday certainly cost us a point possibly 3, but MB was honest and forthright enough to say that we didn't work their GK enough, which I though was generous (to Wrexham) of him.
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Post by The Swansway on Nov 12, 2017 21:17:05 GMT
Yeah I really enjoy the Euros/World Cup too, thanks for the write up Lobster. I'm less passionate about England than I was 15/20 years ago but you still can't beat the excitement of being at a major finals - even if our involvement is tediously brief. I also like coming home from work knowing there's guaranteed to be a few games on the telly that evening. As for the remaining places, it'd feel very odd if Italy aren't there and I also hope Ireland don't make it. I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. Are you serious? Ireland (along with Northern Ireland I could add) are one of the most negative/defensive teams around at the moment. |
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Post by The Swansway on Nov 12, 2017 21:21:39 GMT
Harsh on Northern Ireland. A tougher draw than they deserved, and although they didn't play well in the first leg by all accounts, it's a ridiculous penalty that's put them out. The penalty itself was wrong but the Swiss were way the superior team in the 1st leg and deserved the win. They were not so dominant, surprisingly, at home, but N Ireland created basically one chance all night. They've punched above their weight for a while but can have no complaints to be going out. |
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Post by The Swansway on Nov 12, 2017 21:26:36 GMT
Personally love complaining about England in the qualifiers and pre-tournament, but am right behind them come what may in Russia. Rio, shame on you! 😉 It's ok to have a second team like Panama but you gotta get behind England always despite the pain.
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Post by banksy on Nov 12, 2017 22:27:55 GMT
Thanks Lobster for the new thread.
Personally, I love watching England matches in tournaments. Yes we tend to blow it but we always have a chance of doing something special.
Looking back at previous tournaments we've had moments that have been controversial in the extreme, the headed goal against Argentina that was disallowed, a strike from Lampard that was ruled out even though it was well over the line. The Ronaldo incident when Rooney saw red, and a freak goal that saw Brazil beat us.
The last few tournaments have been stinkers and I do believe the lack of English talent in the premier league is really costing us now but the showing against Germany showed there is hope.
All I want to see is attacking football and taking the game to the opposition. There is no doubt that previously England fans expected us to deliver, now it seems the fans expect us to fail. Maybe with the lack of confidence we'll actually do okay next year.
Worth noting for all the talk about how crap England games are, we're still there next year at the World Cup, something I'm sure the other home nations would give their right arm for, so we must be doing something right!
Come on England!
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Post by thestanchion on Nov 12, 2017 22:41:26 GMT
The withdrawals from the friendlies said it all. Dear Gareth sorry I've got something in my eye and and a mouth ulcer I can't play Friday or Tuesday. Should be ok Wednesday if that helps.
Ps. Raheem says he's a bit tired too. Cheers Harry.
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Post by brettpaton23 on Nov 13, 2017 0:16:35 GMT
Australia have been painfully frustrating throughout the qualifiers, although we only lost once away to Japan a draw against Thailand cost us automatic qualification. Should have beaten Honduras in San Pedro Sula, had all of the play but no end product, thankfully our lord and saviour Tim Cahill will be fit for the return leg
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Post by South Wirral Blue on Nov 13, 2017 7:54:27 GMT
Yeah I really enjoy the Euros/World Cup too, thanks for the write up Lobster. I'm less passionate about England than I was 15/20 years ago but you still can't beat the excitement of being at a major finals - even if our involvement is tediously brief. I also like coming home from work knowing there's guaranteed to be a few games on the telly that evening. As for the remaining places, it'd feel very odd if Italy aren't there and I also hope Ireland don't make it. I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. We always say things like that about Ireland and how great their fans are at these tournaments. Never really understood why if I'm honest, it's almost as though we feel obliged to shower compliments on them!! |
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Post by Firestick Frank on Nov 13, 2017 8:08:43 GMT
England are hard to get excited about certainly, but World Cups and Euros are still really exciting I think - almost life-defining moments. It's more about the first-timers like Panama and Iceland to me. Agree with that, I love international football minus England. Much more enjoyable and although I was gutted for Wales and Scotland, and even more so for Northern Ireland who were quite frankly cheated by the system ensuring the "big boys" go through, I'll be cheering on our Irish friends and hope they finish the job. Worldwide, you can't beat watching a major international tournament, especially the World Cup. Seeing some proper minnows pitted against international heavyweights, the best players in the world all in one place, the drama, the shocks (Brazil 1-7 Germany anybody?). There's nothing like it and all those who are saying they can't be bothered are lying. I agree I can't get up for watching England but every other World Cup finals fixture excites and interests. |
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Post by The Angry Agenda on Nov 13, 2017 10:13:04 GMT
I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. We always say things like that about Ireland and how great their fans are at these tournaments. Never really understood why if I'm honest, it's almost as though we feel obliged to shower compliments on them!! Apart from the odd weekend trip to Old Trafford or Anfield, International football is the only football 99% of these Irish fans watch, so no wonder they travel in numbers. Where are they most weekends ? feet up watching the premier League, or Soccer Saturday rather than taking an interest in the Irish league and actually attending a few matches. |
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Post by Hannibal on Nov 13, 2017 11:19:22 GMT
I spent a day at Bala on Friday before going to watch Bala 1, CQN 1. My friend, who is in his 70s and very Welsh hates ROI (probably because they did a job on one man wonder Wales). I agree with the previous poster who says that the Irish will provide something that England don't and that is entertainment. Are you serious? Ireland (along with Northern Ireland I could add) are one of the most negative/defensive teams around at the moment. I was thinking more about the fans who turn up in large numbers and generally bring lots of fun to the games. I fear that a England fan will be killed in Russia because that the kind of attention they attract. |
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Post by Imperial on Nov 13, 2017 15:06:21 GMT
Not going to lie, I love it. I love England as well & I don’t understand the negativity directed towards them.
Yes we’re shite but we’re Chester fans ffs, watching good players playing good football is clearly not a prerequisite for us.
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Post by Wortleyblue on Nov 13, 2017 16:13:21 GMT
Not going to lie, I love it. I love England as well & I don’t understand the negativity directed towards them. Yes we’re shite but we’re Chester fans ffs, watching good players playing good football is clearly not a prerequisite for us. Yes but our players are not on 100 grand a week so when watching England I expect to see some decent football not the shite they keep churning out. At least most our lads play for the shirt not like the overpaid tossers that put on an England shirt |
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Post by Imperial on Nov 13, 2017 19:17:46 GMT
Fair one but I don’t think anyone was saying that about the players the first 5 games of this season.
We do underperform on the international stage but you just never know...
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Post by Paul Da Part on Nov 13, 2017 19:24:29 GMT
I always enjoy the international tournaments, it’s a footballing Fox in between seasons. Brazil 2014, for me, will go down as the greatest World Cup I’ve seen, so Russia has a lot of living up to do.
I can’t say that I’m looking forward to next years tournament though. A tournament that shouldn’t be hosted in Russia. Amazing what plenty of brown envelopes can do though. No doubt there will be incidents of violence akin to what we saw in France last year. We don’t want to see a repeat of that. Then we come to England. I’ve no interest in our national team. Gareth Southgate’s appointment was the final nail in the coffin for me and I’ve not had to endure any England game since his appointment as caretaker coach (then of course, they yes man got the gig full time) and I don’t plan on being our biggest fan in Russia. The stay in Russia will be short lived. Once the group stages are complete, so will be England’s adventure.
Can I ask though, what does everyone think of Wales’ chances?!
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Post by Hannibal on Nov 13, 2017 19:52:36 GMT
I hope the Wops get beat tonight, but don't really see it happening.
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