England vs Kosovo From St. Mary's
So far so good for the Three Lions as they are three for three in Euro qualifying. This afternoon they host a surprising Kosovo side in a match between the two undefeated sides in the group. England lead the group by a point over Kosovo, but the Three Lions have a game in hand. An England win puts them firmly in the driver's seat. Kickoff is at 2:45 PM on the Deuce.Join me if you can.
posted by manunitedrules @ 1:21 PM
261 Comments:
Hiya, David - thanks for getting us going this afternoon. I can tell that you're enjoying retirement just a wee bit, eh? ;-)
Let's hope that England can extend their winning run this afternoon against the wily Kosovars.
The way things have been going recently, you’d expect England to do well at St Mary’s tonight. That’s because they’ve won their first three Group A qualifiers to the aggregate tune of 14-1; they’ve won 33 of their last 42 qualification matches, drawing the others in a ten-year unbeaten run; and they’re unbeaten in 29 competitive home fixtures staged away from Wembley, a sequence that stretches back to 1936.
I've tried to dial up the match but it appears that only the France and Portugal games are being broadcast on the Plus. What gives?!
Team news out of Soton tonight:
England: Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Keane, Maguire, Chilwell, Henderson, Rice, Barkley, Sancho, Kane, Sterling.
Subs: Heaton, Gomez, Mount, Wilson, Mings, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Pope, Trippier, Maddison, Winks, Rashford, Rose.
Kosovo: Muric, Vojvoda, Rrahmani, Aliti, Hadergjonaj, Voca, Halimi, Muslija, Celina, Valon Berisha, Muriqi.
Subs: Kryeziu, Zhegrova, Rashani, Nuhiu, Ujkani, Dresevic, Bernard Berisha, Raskaj, Bekaj, Leart Paqarada, Hasani.
Hey Boys
I am here...skipping the last period of the day...sshhh
I've just seen that the match is on the Deuce this afternoon - got it up and running now.
Lovely - welcome, UWS! I won't tell anyone!
Good Afternoon, Bob and Dave. Great to join you for this interesting fixture.,
This is a contrast of teams: one has been around the longest and one has been around for three years
Strange as it may seem,The surprising Kosavars will be England's stiffest test. Despite that, I really don't know much about them
They're off from St. Mary's
I think it's a matter of one of those central European sides that grew up playing together and are a tight unit. I'm thinking of Bulgarian or Hungarian sides of the past with no superstars but an effective team.
Listening to 5Live on the way home
England's 997th International
We are off!
I don't like each team having a system and sticking to it no matter what
ONE NIL KOSOVO
UNBELEIVEABLE !
MODERN DAY FOOTBALL
You must be ahead of me, mate - they've just kicked off on my link.
GOAL !!! KOSOVO TAKE THE LEAD 30 SECONDS AFTER KICKOFF. A HORRIBLE BACK PASS FROM MICHAEL KEANE AND BERISHA FINISHED EASILY PAST PICKFORD.
Ridiculous!
WHY IS IT ALLOWED TO PASS AROUND AT THE BACK!
We are still doing it
Sorry Bob
When will they learn? Well, it's early doors. Let's get it back.
That's alright, mate - that what I get for being at work, eh?
I think think Kosovo side is made up of players living throughout Europe , who are of Kosovo descent. Berisha , for example is from Norway and had been capped by Norway before Kosovo became a member of FIFA
Still mucking around with it at the back. Haven't learned yet.
That's some expert anoraking as usual, MUR. Wow!
Most of the Kosovo side's players play in the top division of various European leagues, so they will not be pushovers . Berisha, the scorer, plays for Lazio. Bersant Celina , a midfield player and goalkeeper, Muric, came through Citeh's academy system. Celina now plays for the Swans while Muric is on loan at Forest. Muriqi , who assisted on the goal, plays for Fenerbache
Don't worry about commenting before I see something - I'll just be happy to anticipate some England goals.
Sancho wins a corner off of Hadergjonjaj , of the Terriers
GOAL
1-1
Sterling!!
First chance for Sancho to stretch his legs. Deflected corner went out for England's first corner. Let's make this count!
GOAL !!!! STERLING TIES IT UP FOR THE THREE LIONS. THE CORNER FROM ROSS BARKLEY WAS HEADED ON BY MICHAEL KEANE, AND HEADED BY STERLING PAST OLD MATE, MURIC.
Lovely! Good old Raheem - he's onto double figures for England now. Along with Kane, he's our most potent goalscoring threat right now.
Cheers, Bob. FOTMOB has been a really helpful source. Three Kosovo players currently playing in the Championship
Portugal takes the lead at Lithuania, in the match being televised on Univision
Muric catches the next England corner
I was hoping that that corner would fly straight in as well. Ah well...
strange to say that as new as Kosovo is, they may be playing in the Euros next Summer. Not sure how far they would progress, but just getting there would be quite an achievement for this relatively new nation
Michael Keane has assisted with both goals. Is that correct?
The start reminded me of the start of England at San Marino when Psycho's back pass from the kick off was scored on... England won 7-1
Terrible by Chillwell...wonder why he gets a game!
Last time he played... I called him Chil ILL
Both of you may be interested to note that if Kosovo fail to qualify out of this group then they have a second chance since they won their Nation's League Group.
Let's hope that happens again, mate. Kosovo look a bit handy right now.
Barkley to Sterling... fails to get a shot
Out to Three First Names... awful cross...why doesn't he cross like that for Liverpool!!!
I was thinking about that , UWS. I think this match will be much closer.
So do England
Now the Kosovo keeper does the modern day crap...almost let it run in!
Agreed, UWS. That cross was halfway to Portsmouth!
Correct. Hopefully , England gets in the first time around.
GOAL !!! HARRY KANE AND ABEL TO GIVE ENGLAND A 2-1 LEAD.
YES!!!
KANE!!!!
I like how Sterling took the space in front of him.... he didn't go sideways or backwards!
NUTS
Struth... Kosovo almost in again!
Marvelous combination there between Raheem and HK on that one. Kane's 26th now. He's ticking along nicely toward challenging for the record. I fancy him.
Great skill by Sterling as England won the ball off the throw from the Terriers player. Sterling got a pass from the back, and made a superb turn . Went on a run and found Harry Kane , who nut megged Muric
That goal makes me wonder what they are teaching the keepers at the Citeh Academy.
Barkley on the end of a useful move - blasts over.
As things stand, England top of the group, four points ahead of Kosovo and five ahead of the Czechs. Who needs second chances?
France take a surprise lead vs Andorra in the match shown on Plus
UWS will probably disagree with me, but I think this side should win the Euros. I don't fear any other side in UEFA.
Hiya chaps. Couldn't agree more. One team in history tiki-takas their way to success for half a dozen years and every decent club servant like Keane thinks he can too. What a mug!
Thanks to Sterling and Kane, we're ahead again.
Yeah, Kosovo aren't rubbish, but like that golden generation of Romanians, or Slovenians, they're completely reliant on this squad of 12-14 players. There's no emerging Belgium coming out of Pristina that will boast the players the like of Madrid or Paris or Citeh will covet. Still, when you pass the ball to a forward with only your own keeper to beat..., well they might capitalize.
ESPN should sack Adrian Healey. He is giving info that I gave twenty minutes ago.
Nice free kick chance now for England. Barkley chips it in toward Maguire. Cleared out.
Hiya, Gooner! Welcome!
Good Afternoon, Steve. Agreed and well stated. Two of them failed to make it at Citeh
Adrian is a bit histrionic for my tastes. He sounds like what happens when some suit at the Deuce says, "hey, those Spanish guys make Soccarh really sound exciting. Maybe you could put your balls in a vice and think of a snappy catch-phrase?"
I think England can win the Euros , but to get past the like of France or Belgium they will need to play better than they have in recent matches. Harry Kane will not be Abel to be gifted a hat-trick at any matches next Summer.
Sadly, that sounds about right, Steve,
Pickford saves a deflected effort from Berisha. Not too difficult in the end,.
Oh - Sterling nearly in there again.
WOW ! Lithuania ties it up vs Portugal.
Got that right Steve!!
No cheating....who are the next two players that Kane will overtake in the England scoring list
You all may not agree with me, but every one of England's opponents in this group should be called Montenegro because England has been giving very one of them the full Monte.
Would that be Lineker and Bobby Charlton?
Oh Dear...Pun Boy is back
To further support what Steve stated, Kosovo is unbeaten in the past fifteen matches, but who have they really faced?
Michael Keane heads over the corner from Chilly.
LOL, UWS. Anything to show my support of the Three Lions!
Raheem wins another corner. Comes to nothing in the end. But Raheem is proving a handful for these Kosovars.
In correct.... those two are farther up the list
Bob?
Atrocious cross from Chilly. Would have been a great drop kick in rugger
GOAL!!
3-1!!!
OG
The Kosovars will know from reviewing the tapes that Maguire is the main threat from set pieces so they're marking up. That means that Keane is getting a lot of joy.
NO reason England should have stopped!
GOAL !!!! ENGLAND TAKE A 3-1 LEAD THANKS TO AN OG. KOSOVO'S SWISS COACH LIVID THAT ENGLAND DIDN'T PUT THE BALL OUT OF PLAY. THEY DON'T HAVE TO
Lovely! We'll take it. Kosovo complaining about the challenge from TAA but I saw nothing in it.
Kane overtook a legend on Saturday
Who did he tie up tonight and then who's next
Perhaps the Kosovo manager need to consult the rule book.Is that how Kosovo have been winning matches.If so, they're being exposed
The Kosovar manager picks up a yellow for his woes.
Kane is now tied at #13
Tied Ian Wright and overtook Geoff Hurst?
Kos still giving it a go!
Useless cross AGAIN from Three First Names
Lucky it wasn't an early bath for the Kosovo manager? Will he be getting a rule book for Christmas?
Overtook Hurst!
Just tied Bryan Robson and one behind David Platt! Didn't know Platt was so far up!
The radio were talking about Kane about to overtake two midfielders...when are we going to get another goalscoring middie
Serbia takes the lead in Luxembourg as does Turkey in Moldova and Albania vs Iceland
I was half correct and am equally surprised that Platty is so high up the list.
YES!!
4-1... maybe SEVEN one is on!!
Sancho!
GOAL !!!JAYDEN SANCHO SCORES HIS FIRST ENGLAND GOAL TO MAKE IT 4-1
Again, what are they teaching the keepers at the Citeh academy? Muric too easily at the near post. Maguire won a tackle then Sterling went on a long run and his pass found Sancho , who beat Muric at the near post.
ANOTHER ONE!
Sancho scores a second...set up by Sterling
GOAL !!! SANCHO WITH HIS SECOND GOAL AND STERLING WITH A HAT-TRICK OFF ASSISTS. MURIC KICK SAVE A SHOT FROM STERLING, LEAVING SANCHO WITH AN EASY TAP IN
Surprised the Kosovo coach didn't dispute the Sancho goals. Kosovo showing how they will fare against top opponents.
England thrashing Kosovo 5-1 at the half.
HT....wasn't expecting that after the first 35 seconds!
Sterling could have had four but just passing it around
Never mind. Adrian Healey just stated that the Kosovo coach was sent off. He thinks his team would be winning but for the officials?
From the Beeb
Kosovo have been reading the Scotland manual on how to defend a counter-attack at international level.
A UWS stated, England could end up winning 7-1 , or even by more.
Half a dozen first half goals at St. Mary's . The same number in the other half a dozen Euro qualifiers combined!
LOL, UWS. It sure seems that way . Sterling doing to Kosovo what KDB did to the Jocks.
I went away to work with a student for a few minutes and Jadon Sancho has added two right at the end of the half. 5-1 Wallop!
In this group's other scores
Montenegro 0 Czech Rep 0 at half time
As it stands
England P4 12 +17
Kosovo P5 8 -2
CR P5 7 -2
Mont P5 3 -7
Bulgaria 5 2 -6
Think the group is sewn up then!
Very happy chappy about this England performance.
Actually....The brilliant OG's is second in the England list
OG has scored 52...only one behind Wazza
France only 1-0 up against Andorra. Portugal only 0-1 up against Lithuania. Pathetic! Bring them all on - we can beat them!
Kane is only 26 behind OG now!
Agreed. England have all but won the group. Second place should be between Kosovo and the Czechs. Kosovo has a second chance if they fail to qualify. Don't think the Czechs do.
Out of all the OGs scored none are probably more bizarre than the one in the first half.
Kosovo players coming out of the tunnel looking like they were given the hairdryer treatment by SAF
The players are back out for the second half. I'll take more of the same, boys. 10-1 sounds pretty good to me.
Kosovo make a halftime substitution and one German second division player on for another as the second half is underway
Turns out the Kosovo coach was not sent off, just booked.
Are they Barnstoneworth in disguise, are they Barnstoneworth in disguise?
I took a call and we'd scored 3.
Would love for it to be 10-1, but feel that Kosovo may play more defensively to keep the score down
One change for Kosovo; none for England yet.
Shot from TAA straight to Muric and it's fisted own then gathered at the second attempt.
Oh! Terrence Trent D'Arby has a go at goal - parried away by their keeper.
GOAL !!!! KOSOVO SCORE TO PULL IT BACK TO 4-2. BERISHA WITH HIS AND KOSOVO'S SECOND
You know we're strolling it when Hendo is lining up shots from 35 yards.
Alright, then. I'll take 10-2. (sigh)....
OG BOY fouls Sancho. Free kick to England
Sorry. 5-2, not 4-2
Berisha is definitely putting himself in the shop window today. Tidy finish there.
Nice Ian Dury reference from Adrian.
He plays for Lazio, but may want to go to a top club
Nice finish by Berisha, but a horrible give away by Declan Rice and horrible defending by Hendo on the cross.
Oh no. Our defense has been bloody awful.
Bloody hell! Now Maguire has given away a penalty!
I am on the phone and Kosovo score twice!!
RUDDY NORAH!
The England attackers must be wondering what the hell their teammates are doing. "How many goals do you expect us to score?!"
Pickers should have kept that out. Bloody hell.
Glad I missed Maguire's crap
GOAL !!!MURIQI, WHO WON THE PENALTY, SCORES FROM THE SPOT TO PULL IT BACK TO 5-3
Blimey - I wouldn't want to meet that Kosovo bloke who just scored down a dark alley in Pristina, man bun or no man bun! Struth!
Goals in the other matches.Czechs with two goals in a few minutes are two up in Monte and now in second place.
Nearly a goal straight back for England. Corner. This is beginning to become a thriller!
Serbia two up in Luxembourg as are France vs Andorra and Turkey in Moldova.
Who expected eight goals in this one! Cor!
2-0 France? Boring!
Albania were one up at the half vs Iceland , but the Icelanders have twice come from behind to make it Desmond.
Nice move off the free kick but Muric claimed the cross.
Portugal now lead 1-2 in Lithuania. Skippy with both Portugal goals.
That match sure would have put you to sleep on the comfy sofa.
Of course - without Ronaldo, Portugal are Greece.
Ronaldo is playing tonight... I thought he scored his 90th international goal tonight!
Wonder if Bernie Sanders will be the new Skippy in a few years.
Oh, I see he scored twice
He's nearly 80, mate! ;-)
he's now scored goals 90 91 and now 92
How does someone score that many and England only has 53
Portugal now lead 1-3 in Lithuania. Skippy with a hat-trick. Bernie Sanders with the assist.
Czech Rep two up in Monty....up to second
Three points behind England having played one more game
Wahey, penalties all round from this ref. Step up Mr. Kane.
Barkley runs in the box... take a shot.... fouled... penalty
Kane to catch up Platty?
PENALTY ENGLAND. ROSS BARKLEY TRIPPED IN THE BOX. EASY DECISION FOR THE REF.
Yes! Brilliant run from Barkley and he earns a pen.
HK to take, of course. Nice and easy, mate.
Kosovo player booked for encroachment.
Come on Harry...keep it going.... way off his line...is VAR checking that?
I guess no
OH! MURIC SAVES THE PENALTY AS HARRY KANE AND NOT ABEL TO SCORE.
Sterling running....doesn't know what to do with it
Sterling goes on a run and shoots straight at Muric
Saved! Of course, now that Adrian Healey referred to him as the best penalty taker in the world, he has one saved. Bit too high there.
Bring on Mr. President
Luxembourg scores to pull it back to 1-2 vs Serbia. Sounds like a dramatic finish in Luxembourg.
I think the delay put him off as well. Shame.
Three First Names doesn't cross it very well wearing England white.... he does for Liverpool red or black or gray
Well that's the least costly most productive yellow that bloke will ever pick up. It effectively iced Kane's penalty. It would be nice to see Kane light these jokers up now for their gamesmanship.
Agreed, UWS - I'd like to see Mr. Maddison.
Rep o Ire 1-1 vs Bulgaria
Agreed, Gooner - would love to see HK notch another hat-trick just to spite them.
Isn't that the Marilyn Monroe playbook?
Speaking of the Republic, did you see that Declan Rice was getting death threats on line from Irish bleeders this week? Disgraceful.
I wish we saw this many goals at St Mary's every week
Tim, Saints fan in Maidenhead
Sterling has a hat-trick. In assists , that is.
Free kick to England
Yet another yellow for Kosovo as Sancho is hacked. Another tasty looking free kick opportunity now.
Free kick from TAA well wide.
Three First Names...hits a free kick wide.... weak effort
Agreed. really sickening to hear
This one looks like a training pitch routine - nope it's just a blast wide from TAA.
Kane sets up Sterling....off the post!!
HAS TO SCORE
OH!! Harry Kane wins a tackle, passes to Sterling and his shot is off the post.
Kosovar fans making a load of noise now - they've had a good evening out.
Oh - off the post from Sterling!
Portugal lead 1-4 in Lithuania and Skippy with his Barber shop Quartet of goals . Bernie Sanders with his second assist
Keeper saved it but still!
I can see Kos scoring again
Sterling with another chance.... missed again!
Actually a good save from Muric. He's kept the score down to single digits tonight.
England getting a lot of chances but so have Kos
Oh - Sterling again! Squeezed one - just wide.
Is that Skippy's 93rd for Portugal, UWS?
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