Group A Comes to its End
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:19 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
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157 Comments:
Good morning, Bob. I'm off to shower.I think I will watch to see if Woodie can score another Confeds Cup goal or if Skippy will get a hat-trick while watching the Senors vs the Comrades on Gooner's link.
Morning, MUR - thanks for joining me. I'll see you at kickoff time.
Back from a refreshing shower and some time with a really needy cockrel.
Cheers, mate. Glad to enjoy the pleasure of your company.
The Kiwis have already been eliminated, so the only role that they can play at this point is as a spoiler, preventing Portugal from progressing to the semi final stage.
It's Portugal vs New Zealand from St. Petersburg on on FS 1 . The two teams have never met before. Mexico vs Russia is from Kazan and being televised on FOX. The teams have met twice in friendlies with Russia winning 2-0 at home in August 1992 and the Russians winning 1-4 in Mexico in February 1994.
As The Kiwis being coached by Anthony Hudson, son of Ray Hudson. Despite losing , credit to them for not being beaten by a cricket score, especially as they are without Winnie Reid.
Teams are out on the pitch now:
New Zealand: Marinovic; Boxall, Ingham, Doyle, Smith, Durante, McGlinchey, Rojas, Thomas, Lewis, Wood.
Subs: Subs: Moss, Williams, Brotherton, Wynne, Tzimpulos, Tuiloma, Barbarouses, Smeltz, Patterson, Colvey, Rufer, Roux
Portugal: PatrĂcio, Semedo, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Eliseu, Danilo, Moutinho, Bernardo, Quaresma, AndrĂ© Silva, Ronaldo
Subs: Jose Sa, Beto, Neto, Raphael, Fonte, William, Andre Gomes, Pizzi, Nani, Gelson, Cedric, Adrien
Referee: M Geiger (USA)
I'm also watching the Mexico v. Portugal match on the PIP screen.
Kick-off time!
I am watching The Portugese Men of War vs the Kiwis on he telly and the Senors vs the Comrades on the computer.
And we're off from Kazan and St. Petersburg.
They're off from St. Petersbug
Good choice, mate. I can't stand to hear another commentary performance from El Presidente.
Fs 2 go is 45 seconds behind. Poor by them
UWS is clearly having too much fun on his summer vacation to join us this morning.
Cheers. mate. Woody did you proud vs El Tri.
Agreed. That will be me next Saturday.
Looks like the Russians are off to a chippy start.
Have you got your summer projects lined up?
It's all red vs all white in both matches.
After the crazy year, I had, it will be more about R&R. The main thing is to do some house repairs after receiving the summer school money at the end of July and buying things for Melanie's dorm room./.
Chris Wood in amongst it now - I'd love to see him do well against the Portugeezers today. But no knocks, please, Chris.
How about you and Kate?
Horiving Lozano has a shot comfortably saved by Akinfweev and Woodie shoots straight at Ri Patricio.
Jerk Off with a disgraceful attempt at an attempt to win a penalty with a horrible dive. He should have been booked. Hector Moreno with a word of warning in his ear.
Not sure why Jerk Off thinks it's hilarious to cheat.
Jerk Off now with a poor challenge on Carlos Vela and after consulting with the lineman books , the idiotic Russian player.
The free kick from Guardado is headed away as El Tri is dictating the early pace. It would be good riddance if the Russians are eliminated.
Johnny 2 Saints with a foul on Jerk Off, letting him know that they remember his horrible foul and earlier dive.
Better from Jerk Off as he goes on run and shoots just wide.
Sounds like you've got a good plan for the summer. We'll be heading down to Virginia to visit family later in July.
Surprisingly quite between Portugal and the Kiwis.
Decent start here from the Kiwis. They're a hard battling side but low on quality.
Sounds like a great vacation. Will it be to celebrate the Fourth.
Guardado booked for a foul and suspended for the next competitive match , which may be the semi.
The Kiwis looking like playing the Fifth placed South American side in a playoff. I expect them to lose , but by a respectable score line.
Smolov was through on goal and goes down under what looks like a hard , but fair challenge.
Lewis picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon.
Mark Geiger books Clayton Lewis for obstruction on Eliseu and now that challenge is being reviewed by video evidence.
At first glance, it looks a dive and would be a farce if a penalty is awarded. The Saudi ref says to play on. Probably the right call.
Now it's Nelson Semedo into the book. One for each team. Geiger is losing patience.
Semedeu booked for a foul on Doyle.
Eliseu wins a Portugal corner.
Oh - first big chance for Skippy. Header straight at the keeper.
The corner from Bernie Silva is out for another. The next one take short and Skippy heads straight to Marinovic.
Tommy Smith with a looping effort well over the bar.
Russia have scored in Kazan, which will throw the cat amongst the pigeons in this match.
OH!!!! Off the post from Smolov then the rebound is saved by Ochoa then
GOAL !!!!! SAMEDOV SCORES WITH A SHOT IN THE CORNER A FEW PLAYS LATER.
Oh - and Skippy hits the bar!!!
After the rebound was saved, the ball broke out to the left and was played into the box , there was a miss kick and it broke to Samedov, who scored with a great finish. Russia now top of the group.
As it stands, Russia top the group, with Mexico in second merely on goals scored. Portugal would be heading home if the scores stay put. Portugal are ratcheting up the pressure. If they were to score, Mexico would be in trouble.
By the sound from the crowd, there are lots of Russian fans enjoying this match. Perhaps they couldn't get to Kazan today?
Mexico now win a free kick
Ball swung in toward Skippy who claimed to be impeded.
GOAL! Mexico have equalized!!!
Deathly quiet in this stadium now.
Oh - now it's Danilo with a header just wide of the mark.
Great save by Akinfeev from the free kick
then
GOAL !!! MEXICO TIE IT UP.
Portugal have a penalty!!!
Danilo was hauled down at that corner. Doyle the offender.
PENALTY PORTUGAL AS A PLAYER AS DANILO WAS RUGBY TACKLED OFF THE PORTUGAL CORNER.
Skippy to take, of course....
And he scores!!
Portugal 1-0 up!
It's all change in Group A then.
Portugal now lead the group on 7 points, followed by Mexico on five and Russia on four points are back in trouble.
GOAL !!! SKIPPY GIVES PORTUGAL THE LEAD WITH A GREAT PENALTY IN THE UPPER 90, SENDING MARINOVIC THE WRONG WAY.
A Russian player was through on goal and had a shot land in Row H with just Ochoa to beat
It was a great loping header by Arujo. The announcer said Akinfeev could do nothing about it, but I thought he was well out of position.
An unusually early change by Kiwis manager, Anthony Hudson as Michael McGlinchey is replaced by Bill Tuiloma.
GOAL! Portugal two up now through Bernardo, who nobbled himself in scoring.
GOAL !!! THE QUALITY OF PORTUGAL IS TOO MUCH FOR THE KIWIS TO HANDLE AS QUARESMA PLAYED AN AUDACIOUS CHIP OVER THE KIWIS RIGHT BACK AND FOUND ELISEU AND PLAYED A PASS IN THE BOX THAT WAS DIVERTED IN BY BERNADO SILVA TO PUT PORTUGAL TWO UP.
Luis Reyes on for the injured Diego Reyes.
Chicha is fouled near the Russian corner flag.
The free kick from Gio 2 Saints is headed away . The Russians are showing theior frustration with some really nasty challenges. The Saudi Ref will need to produce some more cards.,
A tame free kick from Layoun is straight to Akinfeev./
Andre Silva punches Boxall and for some reason is not sent off.
Kudiashkan is down after landing awkwardly off a challenge with Chicha.
Bit of argy bargy there between Andre Silva who took a swing at one of the Kiwi defenders. Naughty.
Two minutes of stoppage time in St. Pete.
Two minutes of stoppage time in Kazan.
Portugal is two up vs the Kiwis at the half.
First half over then. Portugal are 2-0 up and sailing into the semis.
It's 1-1- between Mexico and Russia at the half.
As things stand Portugal will win the group and Mexico will go through as runners up. That's what I predicted prior to the tournament.
That's right - Russia will need to go all out in this second half to get through. I'd be more than happy to see Putin's boys go home.
Second half starting up - Fernandez coming on for Portugal.
And we're away again at St. Petersburg and Kazan.
It was the new Citeh player Bernanrdo Silva who came off.
The second half is underway from St. Pete as Pizzi is on for Bernardo Silva, who was injured scoring the second for Portugal
Javier Aquino is on for Carlos Vela as the second half is underway for Carlos Vela.
Smolov toe balls a volley well wide.
Samedov thought he had a second goal for Russia , but it was disallowed for offside. He was about five yards off.
Some sort of prolonged injury in Kazan. A Russian player down for the count. Saudi referee has a decision to make.
The Russians have to go for it as it appears that a draw will not be good enough for them to advance.
Golovin down with a head injury for the Russians.
GOAL! Mexico take the lead!
Portugal have a corner as play resumes in Kazan
Looks like a bit of a freak goal. Big lob up the pitch and a Mexican bloke beat Akinfeev to the ball with a header.
2-1 El Tri!
I believe that Portugal are still top of the group on goal difference right now.
Russia need two goals now - I don't really see it.
GOAL !!!! HIRVING LOZANO GIVES MEXICO A 1-2 LEAD IN KAZAN THANKS TO A HORRIBLE MISTAKE BY AKINFEEV. WHAT SEEMED AN INNOCUOUS LONG CLEARANCE FROM THE MEXICAN DEFENSE LED TO A CHALLENGE BETWEEN HIRVING LOZANO AND AKINFEEV. . THE BIG RUSSIAN KEEPER CAME OUT OF HIS BOX TO HEAD CLEAR, BUT THE YOUNG LOZANO NIPPED IN FRONT OF HIM TO HEAD HOME.
Agreed, Bob. Russia is too lightweight in attack to get two goals in less than one half.. Portugal has a +3 goal difference and Mexico +2.
Other than the match against a weak Kiwi side, Russia have had a really poor tournament. Going out in disgrace in front of their own fans.
Oh - close call for the Kiwis there. Rui Patricio did so well to save from Wood.
OH !!! A great move by the kiwis down the left and Rui Patricio makes a great save from a sliding Chris Wood.
Bit more open a game now at St. Petes.
Iriakin just wide with a curling long range effort.
Oh - Skippy has another one saved by Marinovic.
Marinovic does well to save a close range header from Skippy.
GOAL !!! HECTOR MORENO SCORES TO PUT MEXICO 1-3 UP IN KAZAN. THE VIDEO REPLAY ID BEING REVIEWED TO SEE IF MORENO IS OFFSIDE.
iT'S DISALLOWED AS Moreno was judged to be just offside.
The Russian defending has looked really shaky when facing decent opponents.
Pepe was booked earlier and will be suspended for the semi
Kudriashov is booked for the Russians and Poloz is in for Book a Roff
Great close range reflex save by Masrinovic from Silva
Barberouses on for Clayton Lewis.
Vasin lucky not to be booked for the Russians , who are clearly frustrated.
Your old boy Nani coming on for Skippy now.
Nani on for Skippy as Fernie One Saint has the semi in mind.
Barberouses, who has made an impact, has a shot deflect off of Pepe and straight to Rui Patricio
It goes from bad to worse for the Russians as Jerk Off is sent for a second yellow for a horrible elbow on Layoun. The first player sent off this tournament
Oswaldo Alanis on for Gaurdado
Marinovic superbly saves a close range effort from Nani that took a wicked deflection off of Boxall.
Quaresma has a chance to swing in a free kick. Comes to nothing.
Vasin becomes the latest player booked for the Russians. Their fans are watching a thuggish performance far short on quality. They look disillusioned a s a result. I feel for them
The veteran , Shane Smeltz, is on for Andrew Durante. A striker for a central defender.
Agreed, mate. Jerk Off seemed to be mentally elsewhere from the kickoff with a poor dive in an attempt to win a penalty and then some horrible challenges. It's as if he was begging for a red card. That drives managers bonkers.
Does this mean that Jerk Off would be suspended for the opening match of the World Cup as that would be the Russians next competitive match?
That would be lovely - I think so.
Kannunikov on for the exhausted looking Smolov.
He will be 34 next Summer, so that's if he even makes the team. I wouldn't include him/
GOAL! Andre Silva adds a third goal for the Portugeezers. They're cruising it.
GOAL !!!! ANDRE SILVA PUT PORTUGAL THREE UP VS THE KIWIS.
Quaresma won a tackle at the halfway line. It broke to Silva, who went on a solo run as the Kiwis backed off and then did well to finish past Marinovic.
Danny Ingham booked for a foul from behind on Pizzi.
A decent long range effort from Rojas is not too far over for the Kiwis.
One Saint makes his last move - Gelson Martins on for tattoo model Quaresma.
Gelson Martins on for Quaresma.
Marinovic makes a great close range save from Andre Silva, who shoots the rebound wide.
It's actually a corner that is cleared.
Ryan Thomas wins the first Kiwi corner of the match
Rui Patricio struggles with the corner from Thomas, but the Portugese clear. Patricio is now down injured.
Rui Patricio with an awkward landing now. Portugal are out of subs so this could get interesting.
The Russian fans in the stands look a bit dejected on the fan cam shots.
Patricio seems to be okay after that collision with Bruno ALves.
Oh - Boxall comes close. Cleared off the line. The Kiwis probably were good for one goal here. Bit unlucky.
Golovin becomes the latest Russian player booked as they will be entering the tournament in disgraceful fashion.
Agreed. The Kiwis have done well to keep the matches much closer than expected.
Three minutes of stoppage time in St. Pete and
GOAL!!!NANI PUTS PORTUGAL FOUR UP.
Great finish after receiving the pass from some great inter play.
Three minutes of stoppage time in Kazan.
Game over!
High and wide by Barbarouses.
Nice little one-two in the box from the Kiwis. Shame that didn't produce a consolation goal.
Oswald Alanis booked for Mexico
So what have we learned today? European sides are better than Australasian ones, but not better than Central American ones. I think we knew that already.
It's over in St. Pete as Portugal thrash the Kiwis 4-0 to win the group.
That's it - Portugal and Mexico advance to the semis first and second in Group A. They'll face either Germany or Chile in mid-week.
That's it for me today, mate. I'm going to head out and enjoy the gorgeous weather today. We've got a full agenda of planting and weeding in the backyard.
Good riddance as Mexico defeat Russia 2-1 in Kazan. Trump and Putin will not be pleased, but this is a really poor Russian side.
Cheers, mate. Enjoy and look forward to chatting with you tomorrow.
Hope to catch you tomorrow for the Group B matches.
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