A BIG BIG DAY!!!
Well fellas, the big day is here. Let' hope this little guy scores some goals. Maybe even the guy behind him knocks one in as well.
Kathy and I have decided to fork out $25 for it. Let's hope it is not money thrown down the drain. Is anyone else buying?
If anyone is just following on the blog I can keep you bang up to date.
COME ON ENGURLUND!!!!!
posted by United We Stand @ 8:00 AM
114 Comments:
Morning, Dave! Yes, the Irish legbreakers at Setanta have the big match, but there is plenty of interest on FSC today, starting with Russia vs. Macedonia in about an hour's time. Here are the stakes in Group E:
Team GP Pts
Croatia 7 17
Israel 8 17
Russia 7 15
England 7 14
F.Y.R. Macedonia 7 7
Estonia 8 3
Andorra 8 0
And lest we forget that down in humble Coca Cola League Division One, Leeds - the only club left with a hundred percent record in English football (ahem ahem) - is kicking off against Hartlepool is a few minutes. Come on you Whites!
Yes! Tresor Kandol puts us 1-0 up with his third goal of the season and we are officially at zero points. Leyton Orient - be afraid, be very afraid, we're coming after you mugs.
Russia vs. Macedonia just starting on FSC. Of course we're hoping for a Macedonia result of some sort. It's probably too much to ask for them to win at the Locomotiv but a point would be lovely.
The Scots are already one up over Lithuania. Good on em.
Ah, bloody hell. The Russians are already one up. A free kick knocked into the danger area and it looked like an own goal to me there.
Two-nil Leeds! Jermaine Beckford with his fifth of the season. Lovely jubbly!
Here's the England starting eleven:
Robinson, Richards, Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Wright-Phillips, Gerrard, Barry, Joe Cole, Owen, Heskey.
Lithuania have leveled it against the Scots.
The Scots have jumped to a three-one lead coming up on half-time.
Leeds still 2-0 after eighty minutes.
Half-time: Russia 1 Macedonia 0.
It would be nice to still dream of the Macedonians getting back into this one, but in truth they've been completely outclassed by a creative and rampant Russia side and would be further behind save for the heroics of their keeper. We'll have to assume that Russia will end up on eighteen points from eight games at the end of this. We must beat them on Wednesday.
Leeds have finished 2-0 over Hartlepool. It's the first match this season that we've completely bossed. I'm ecstatic.
England about to kick off - let's have some of the same from them!
Well done Leeds!!
I just got home from the Thomas' tournament.
Goalless at Wembley after 7 minutes
It's seems to be all England's way so far but no clear cut chances. It sounds like Gerrard's playing the holding role, with SWP wide right, but where exactly is Gareth Barry playing?
Owen just set up Heskey. Free shot from 13 yards out. Ballooned it over.
I'm going to assume it'll all go well for those two today. Owen tends to play well with a big man beside him. The record with Heskey is impressive - twelve starts, eleven goals for Owen. Of course, three of those were against Germany in Munich!
Heskey almost got open again. Couldn't turn inside the box.
He looks dangerous.
England are passing well. The final ball isn't there
You'd think that Ben Haim had seen his game before, but I'm glad to hear that he's causing trouble.
Great chest by Heskey on to a Gerrard but he was blocked. Free kick outside the box
They don't take a shot. Tries to hit Terry on the back post. Barry should have had a shot.
Heskey gets a header just wide from corner
It sounds like it's all Heskey at the moment. Is Wee Mikey getting a sniff at all?
Any chances for Macedonia
They are working well together
Wembley sounds very quiet.
It's not full either.
Precious few chances for Macedonia. I'd love to see them nick one back but I don't quite fancy it. We'll need to beat the Russians on Wednesday for sure. And win this one today!
YES!!!!!!!!!!
SWP
How can Wembley not be full on a day like this - it's a crucial match!
J. Cole crosses and a back post run by SWP to knock it in.
LOVELY JUBBBLEY
20 minutes gone
Excellent - you're ahead of the 365 feed so I was celebrating even before the score came up. Cheers!
That was the crucial goal. I never fancied Israel to give us any problems at the back. They didn't even press much in their home leg. This should open the floodgates. Would love to see Owen get one today.
They did have one run that was just called offside
Why is Barry playing for Hargreaves? Why not Carrick as the holding middy
Terry got a kick on the ankle. He is limping
The Scots have beaten Lithuania 3-1. They still look good for qualification.
I hear that JT is hobbling after a challenge on Benayoun? Is he okay?
he seems to have walked it off
Macedonia have a pen - and Russia down to ten men!
WHOAAAA
Well?
Have Russia lost a good player for Wed?
I have turned it to FSC
DAMN IT
Ahh....the substitute Russian keeper who's just come on has saved it! Curses!
They lost their keeper?
Yeah, the Macedonian forward was rounding the keeper and he brought him down. Clear penalty. Then they swapped another player for the sub keeper and he saved it. Bugger!
Two chances from Owen both saved by keeper. Great lay off by JCole
Sounds like England has regained the momentum after taking the foot off for a few moments after the goal.
Israel have had a few chances to get the ball in the box from free kicks but that is about it
Ahh, we Mikey should've had one there, eh? Straight at the keeper?
Owen sets up ACole. Again saved
We need to put one of these away
Statto here: that was SWP's second goal in 14 appearances, btw.
Heskey lays off for SWP.
Heskey is looking good
Russia have their second goal - it's all over now.
Two minutes of added time
BUGGER
Half time at Wemberly.
Should have had more but I will take that
3-0 Russia now - bugger!
Are goals going to matter?
Just looked at the standings.
Before today's games
Cro +12
Is +10
Rus +10
Eng +10
I guess it does matter.
In the end, I don't think it will. If I'm right and we can win our remaining home games, we'll be able to go to Russia only needing a point.
Here's 365's comment on the first half:
"Only a minute-and-a-half as it turns out, but England will be pleased with their first-half display here. England should in truth be more than one goal clear here, with Owen and Heskey spurning presentable chances, while Israel have offered little as an attacking force."
I agree
Here come England out of the tunnel
Russia have ended up 3-0 winner. Shame. I really had some hope for a second or two.
WHAT A GOAL!!
MICHAEL OWEN
A BEAUTIFUL TURN AND A SHOT IN THE TOP CORNER
Heskey has impressed me.
A great target man. His control and lay offs have been very good
Still a lot of empty seats coming out of the half
You know that if England wins this then I have to buy the Wed match as well
Where are you ROBERT?
Fantastic! I can't wait to call the WSD wankers on Monday and rub it in. Steven Cohen has been backing Israel all week! What a toss-pot!
England are all over them!!!
Come on get some more.
Fortress Wembley here we come
Number 38 for wee Mikey. There were some who thought that his career was over last year, but I was not one of them. Well done, lad!
Great run by Barry.
England almost in again
Israel haven't been able to get out of their own half
I really want Hesk to get a goal.
He deserves it
365 noticed the same thing you did about the empty seats after the half Check out the last sentence of their goal summary:
"Great goal from Owen, number 38 in an England shirt. It's another excellent pass from Barry, but Owen still had plenty to do, taking a touch before spinning and lashing home on the half-volley from the edge of the box. The corporate lads who have yet to find their way back to their seats have missed something now!"
England are beating the USA 28-3 in the World Cup as I type.
England beat India to take the One-day series.
Things are looking good today
It is worst place to put those seats. The TV camera picks them all up
Israel get the ball in the England's box. Rio sweeps it out
Gerard has been very quiet.
I say take Stevie off and save him for Wed.
Your thoughts?
Great move by Stevie and JCole.
Good save from Keep
Rio playing left wing!!
Almost a break from the Israeli sub
GOAL!!!
Micha Richards with a header.
I agree with you about Stevie G. He's not at 100% and I don't think that Lamps will be available on Wednesday. We just need to clamp it down at this point. Phil Neville for him?
The header comes from a corner.
The Keeper ran right into Owen which blocked him from getting to the ball
Gerard gets a knock. He is coming back on.
Take him off McL
I think he is listening.
Neville and AJ on for Hesk and Stevie G.
Well done Ivanoe?
Lovely! It's Micah's first for England. Good stuff from us today and with an understrength team. I had a feeling. I was not impressed by Israel in the spring. We just couldn't stick the ball in the net that day. Fortunately, no problems in that regard today. Can't wait to see the goals tonight on FSC.
A bit of a worry here
1823: John Terry is booked for a late tackle. That means three of England's defence are on yellow cards in the competition. Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are the others.
Was that "Ivanhoe" comment from the Setanta commentator? Well, it's a reference to the classic 19th century Sir Walter Scott novel "Ivanhoe," which is about medieval knights. So I suppose that would be to suggest that Stevie G. had a valiant afternoon, eh?
NI have fallen behind in Latvia
That is Heskey's middle name, isn't it?
You sarky bugger
Leeds better not take their foot off the pedal as they hit zero.
They are three points behind Forest and away from the relegation zone
Is it? I had no idea. A bit bizarre that.
There is a wave starting at Wembley
Israel haven't created anything!!!
Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey
Bentley on for SWP
Eight minutes to go
He is getting booed for his U21 snub
Fair enough; it was shocking for him to turn that down. I wouldn't have picked him. And I can't see that he has a future with Aaron Lennon about.
Great run from AJ. Slips it through to Owen who rounds the keeper but saved on the line by defender.
Good move
85,372
just under 5,000 under capacity.
I WOULD HAVE GONE!!
2 minutes of added time
That's it.
A very good display and a GREAT result.
Same again on Wednesday. I think we are going to order it again. I will keep everyone informed on the LOB
Great to spend the morning with you Bob.
Well done again with Leeds as well
Me too! If anything, Wembley's easier to get to now than it's ever been. The do express trains on the Jubilee on game days - ten minutes from the center of London, five minute walk up Wembley Way and you're in your seat. What a bunch of lazy sods!
Still, this leaves us level with Israel with a game in hand. Exactly what we needed. Bring on Russia!
Me too! If anything, Wembley's easier to get to now than it's ever been. The do express trains on the Jubilee on game days - ten minutes from the center of London, five minute walk up Wembley Way and you're in your seat. What a bunch of lazy sods!
Still, this leaves us level with Israel with a game in hand. Exactly what we needed. Bring on Russia!
Good chatting with you lad. If you want to see some more goals fly in, the Czechs are up against San Marino on FSC in ten minutes. Enjoy it!
I will watch it while listening to 606
Here are the 365 ratings on the lads:
PAUL ROBINSON 6/10.
MICAH RICHARDS 7/10.
RIO FERDINAND 6/10.
JOHN TERRY 6/10.
ASHLEY COLE 7/10.
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 8/10.
GARETH BARRY 8/10.
STEVEN GERRARD 6/10.
JOE COLE 8/10.
EMILE HESKEY 7/10.
MICHAEL OWEN 7/10.
Your thoughts?
As predicted the Croatians didn't strain themselves racking up a 2-0 win over Estonia. They're on 20 pts and effectively already qualified.
Also predictable is the 0-0 borefest against Italy and France. Yawn.
I'm relieved, satisfied, and happy for once to be completely wrong that England couldn't produce the goods against the mighty mediocre Israelis.
Big test on Wednesday!
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