Qatar 2022 World Cup Playoffs!
Italy v. North Macedonia
Portugal v. Turkey
Sweden v. Czech Republic
Wales v. Austria
ESPN2 is showing what they consider the marquee match-up with CR-17's Portuguese side going up against Turkey. Ronny could make a record fifth World Cup appearance in Qatar if the Portugeezers make it into the tournament.
I'll be watching Ryan Giggs' Wales side up against Austria in what has been termed the most important fixture for Wales since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Wow!
Join me for all the action this afternoon.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 3:18 PM
233 Comments:
I'm tuning into the warm-up show on the Deuce for the Turkey v. Portugal match while I'm waiting for the coverage on the Plus to start for the Wales match.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey both start for the hosts. Bale is one of four changes made by Rob Page from their November draw against Belgium, with Wayne Hennessey, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson also returning.
Austria name a strong side too. Das Team features Bale’s Real Madrid colleague David Alaba, one-time West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic, and Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
The team news out of Cardiff:
Wales: Hennessey, Ampadu, Rodon, Ben Davies, Roberts, Wilson, Allen, Ramsey, Neco Williams, James, Bale.
Subs: Levitt, King, Johnson, Harris, Matondo, Thomas, Norrington-Davies, Colwill, Jonathan Williams, Adam Davies, Gunter, Mepham.
Austria: Lindner, Seiwald, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Alaba, Schlager, Laimer, Lainer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer, Arnautovic.
Subs: Gregoritsch, Ulmer, Schaub, Pentz, Ilsanker, Kalajdzic, Posch, Weimann, Lazaro, Schopf, Bachmann, Grull.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland).
They've just shown the Saka penalty miss in the Euro 2020 Final last summer again - bad memories of that one.
A reminder that we could be in for the long haul this evening. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the match will go to extra time and, if required, penalties. The winner gets the right to host either Scotland or Ukraine, whose match has been postponed until June.
A bit of discussion among the panelists about tonight's crucial Mexico v. USA match. Will Greg Berhalter sacrifice this one, playing a B team in the Azteca in order to have a stronger team available for the Panama match on Sunday? We'll see.
Hiya Boys
I am here for a while. Have to take Tom to the airport a little later on
Wahay! The coverage has started on the Plus for the match in Cardiff.
Hiya, Dave! Where's Tom on the way to?
Good Afternoon, Bob and Dave. Here to join you for the playoffs then Mexico vs the U.S. at 10 PM
I have the deuce ob the telly and will watch Wales vs Austria on the computer
Welcome, David - how's your week been?
No way they should rest players... Mexico aren't that good...win!!
I have been so busy...it is crazy!
I will have over 100 hours for the month of March!
Thanks, Bob. It's been a great week. We're really enjoying Trooper.How has your week been?
Ultra Music festival in Miami
Wishing Tom a safe trip and agree that the U.S. must play a full strength team tonight
That sounds like a great deal of fun for Tom
Flying from Albany to Fort Laurd
Teams coming out now - big night for the Leek Eaters.
Wow - sounds like Tom's weekend is going to be "lit," as the kids say.
Asia played their matches this morning. Iran , South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia have qualified. Aussies will play UAE, Iraq , or Lebanon in a playoff. The playoff winner will play the fifth placed South American team in as playoff. Aussies could miss their first WC in twenty years
"Flags of our Fathers" sounding marvelous.
Scots host Poles in a friendly since both teams WC semi playoffs matches aren't being played today for different reasons
Wow - if the Wales players can't get up for the match after that, they're not alive. Even I had shivers up the spine.
I'm glad that you're around to keep things clear for me, David. This Qatar 2022 structure is doing my head in.
Cheers, Bob. Glad to help. Wales should be up with that support
Forgot to mention Qatar will be in their first ever WC, as they automatically qualified as hosts
They're off from Lisbon then from Cardiff
That's disgraceful that Qatar will be in the tournament.
Now off from Cardiff
Agreed, Bob. Don't like it one bit
Oh - early effort from our boy Dan James.
Dan James shot straight at the keeper after Connor Roberts did well to tackle David Alaba , who passed to Bale to James
Hornets Danny BTO benched in place of Heinz Lindner of Basle Brush . BOOM BOOM!
The high press might well work well for the Welsh today but they'll have to be wary of the threat posed by ex-Hammer Marco Arnautovic. He's the danger man for the Austrians.
OH! Curling shot from Baumgartner off the post with just Henessey to beat. Wales defense carved apart
Oh - Sabitzer strikes the frame of the goal. You could hear the ball thump off it from here. Should have scored as he was clean through on goal.
That's the danger if the Welsh press too high.
Oh - lovely cross over from Dan James that nearly found Aaron Ramsey. Cracking opening to this one.
I t was a superb thorough ball from Sabitzer
Geez....Tom's flight delayed two hours...of course...can't show up two hours later
TT already yapping too much
Shot from CR 7 halfway to Madrid in the Dragon Stadium in Porto
Sorry about Tom's flight
Crikey! Have you had the storms of is it down in the Southeast where the connection is a problem.
Octavio wins a Portugal free kick in a great position to curl in a free kick
HOW WAS THAT MISSED!!
Nice free kick from Bruno but Jota blasts well over at the far post from two yards out. Should have scored.
Which match is Double T on - the Portugal v. Turkey?
I can only imagine what crew they'll have doing the El Classico tonight.
Yes
The match tonight is on Para +
Long range shot from CR 7 straight to Heinz Lindner
Tom must be feeling a big "cheugy," as the kids say these days.
I'm just going to keep using Millennial speak until it drives you crazy, Dave.
probably Kate and the crew on Paramount +
Already has!
Bob, I won't understand a word. It will;l be like listening to a foreign language
I have to say that we would be right out of luck were it not for the streaming options today.
Almost a great break by the Iberians
Surely, the girls keep you up to date with the latest lingo, right, David?
GOAL ! OCTAVIO GIVES PORTUGAL THE LEAD
Portugal take the lead....deservedly !
They're obviously the favorites in that tie.
Nice tem goa. Octavio to CR 7 to Jota tan passed back to weekend at Bernie's whose shot from 25 yards out came off the post and the Brazilian born Octavio put in the rebound even though Lindner in the Austrian goal got a hand to it
Why doesn't Ocatavio wear #8?
Well at least he wears double 8
To be honest Melanie and Jacquelyn always speak standard English. Unless I ask I don't hear them speak Millennial talk
That's quite a forward line that the Portugeezers have - Ronny, Bruno, Jota, Octavio and Bernie Silva.
Champ said that Octavcio was born and raised in Brazil and din't become a naturalized Portugues till last year. A fantastic addition to the team
It makes you wonder r how Portugal didn't run away with their group. Shouldn't be in this position
Great run by Leeds man James
Who's the Welsh lady talking in the Wales match?
Danilo gifted Turkey possession deep in the Portugal half but the Turkish attacker got "Under" the ball and it went straight to the keeper
Dan the Man has a "dank vibe" going this afternoon, as the kids say.
Am I driving you crazy yet, Dave?
Turkey should have tied it up. Nice run and cross and header at the far post just wide
I don't know but I'm loving her valley accent. We had a group of Welsh student teachers from the University of Swansea doing an exchange a few years back and I was really disappointed that they sounded like a bunch of kids from "Brookside." Just generic Brit accents.
I like the sound of "Leeds man" Dan James. It only took us a few years to finally nab him.
Nice free kick chance now for the Welsh. Come on, Monkey Boy!
Jacquelyn just got back. I showed her the sayings .She's seen Dank Vibe , but doesn't know what it means. Doesn't know the meaning of the other sayings
GOAL ! GAREHT BALE GIVES WALES THE LEAD
Great free kick by Bale
ONE NIL THE WELSH
Oh - what a strike from Gareth!
1-0 Wales!
Perfect free kick
Nice curling free kick over the Austrian wall but Heinz Linder in the Austrian goal looked clueless as to how to deal with it
LOL! That's great, David. I'll keep 'em coming.
Dave's "ghosting" me, as the kids say. He's really irritated.
The Turks are making chances after they fell behind
Diogo Costa did well to turn a a Turkey shot around for a corner.
Is Dave rather cross?
Austrian header blocked for a corner
James needs to get over better crosses!
Dan James wins a corner on thew counter off the Austrian corner. Coyuncu fouls CR 7 about 25 yards from goal. Bruno to cross
Dave's just feeling a wee bit "salty," as the kids say, that I know more Millennial speak than he does. Right, Dave?
Free kick from Bruno headed wide by CR 7 , but called offside
Bruno puttting in some decent free kicks....he's forgotten how to do that playing for United
Lots of lovely Welsh singing ringing around the ground now. They certainly do sing when they're winning.
Jacquelyn knows salty.
Oh - Arnautovic was nearly through there but was tracked back by Rodon well.
Swiss break....bad last touch by the ex Potter
Long Austrian ball headed on and Arnautovic got behind the Welsh defense. He overran the ball as a combination of Hennessy and Joe Rodon stoped him as Marco overran the ball
On the replay, it's clear that Bale was using the Ronaldo technique of hitting the ball with the laces to get the maximum dip over the wall.
A shame CR 7 slipped pff that chipped pass from Bruno . It all started when Milan's Chalanoglu was tackled deep in the Turkey half
Stupid foul by Neco Williams on the Tree Gardener
Austria still look capable of breaking Welsh hearts tonight. This one is on a knife's edge.
Italy still shooting blanks against Bob's favorites....North Macedonia
Poor punch by Hennessey off the free kick from ALaba off his teammate, Ben davies for a corner
Oh - great free kick over from Alaba but Hennessey's punch just got away with it.
Ramsey with a big chance....hits it wide!!
I guess it was saved but he has to bury that one!
It was going in...better shot than I thought
Oh - Wales break well and Ramsey might have scored a second. Well saved.
Bale heads out the corner. Nice tackle by Dan James in the Austrian half then a pass to Aaron Ramsey as his shot came off the side netting
GOAL ! JOTA PUTS PORTUGAL TWO UP
North Macedonia are dead to me now that my boy Gjanni has left us.
Jota doubles Portugal's lead
Nice header at the back post!
They look good
Nice cross from the excellent Octavio and Octavio headed past the keeper at his near post
Agreed, Dave. Italy will have to be at their be at their best to have a cghanc providing they even get past the Big Macs
I really dislike Italy after last summer!!!
Turkey looking more like Tanksgiving Dinner than going to the WC as they're being carved apart. HEE HEE!
Do you think continental champions should automatically qualify for the World Cup?
If North Mac wins Bob will feel salty, but if Italy wins Dave will feel salty
The Italians are really boring.
I completely disagree with continental champs automatically qualifying for the WC Even the EW+C holders have to qualify. Some of these continental champs are a joke
Half time in the Principality
Wales one up at the half. Portugal two up at the half
And on the Iberian Peninsula
The half-time whistle goes and Wales troop off feeling "crunk," as the kids say.
How irritated are you, Dave?
Italy vs North Mac and Swedes vs Czechs 0-0 at the half
Scots vs Poles 0-0 at the half in a friendly.
I had to google it!
That was a quickly arranged match after Poland were supposed to play Russia and Scotland play Ukraine
Big miss by the Italians there.... didn't notice the Swiss' big miss before the goal
Teams out all over the continent
Do you know if this playoff with one off games for Semi and Final were planned or was it COVID caused?
The second half is underway from the Dragon Stadium in Porto
The second half is underway from Cardiff
The second half is underway from Cardiff - Austria have 45 minutes to salvage their WC campaign.
Stupid short corner for Switzerland....teams just want to try and be too cute
Why do I keep saying Swiss...it's Austria!!
MORON
Arnautovic with a headed chance but straight at Hennessey.
My wifi went out and I will only be able to comment occasionally
Wales sitting too deep....against....AUSTRIA....I got it right!!
The Welsh break.... James wins a corner
James to take the corner....BLOODY SHORT ONE
BALE SCORES A SECOND!
ANOTHER GREAT GOAL
GOAL! Monkey Boy is on fire tonight! A brace for him.
2-0 Wales!
He can't be bothered playing for Real!!
Bale doesn't need a salary anymore...he should retire from club football and just play internationally!!
I think the one off matches nay have been due to COVID, but not certain to be honest
I don't necessarily think it was a routine from a short corner that worked...it was a lucky bounce and a great finish
Great news for Wales . Missed the goal. Seconds before the WIFI came back on
Wales only step and half from making their first World Cup in OUR life time!!
AND WE ARE OLD
Just saw the goal. Those short corner routines can really work out. Nice combo from Dan James and Harry Wilson and lovely finish from Gareth Bale
Keeper goes walkabout for the Turks... Jota misses the goal
James breaks....saved...Offside called late
Oh - Dan James was straight through there but he hit the keeper with his shot.
Nice close range block by Heinz Linder from Dan James then the really tardy offside flag
Wales only WC appearance was when Elizabeth's parents were newlyweds. No that's what I call a long time ago
Jota could have had a hat-trick , but for some eraasnt finishing. Turkey carved apart more than any Thansgiving dinner
Champ said that Italy have out shot North Mac 21-2, but still 0-0 in Palermo.
Great Welsh voices...usually sung by the Rugby lot
Free kick by Alaba straight into the wall. I think he hit his Real teammate in the noggin
Nice solo run by Bale , but the shot was high and wide
Austria get a goal back deflected AS DO Turkey!
Game on all over the place
GOAL ! SABITZAER PUL;LS ONE BACK FOR AUSTRIA AS DOES YILMAZ FOR TURKEY
Oh no - That one has gone in off a terrible deflection from Ben Davies.
2-1!
Noice one two with Foxes reject, Under then beat the on rushing Diogo Costa
I just noticed your "AF" joke at half-time, Dave. Nice one! LOL!
Maybe it will be a Turkey NMac Final
The Austria goal had more of an element of luck to it as the shot from Sabitzer took a wicked deflection off of Ben Davies off a long possession
James with a decent effort well saved
Turkey oin a Big Mac could be a best seller. Would you eat that?
Oh - Dan is through again but again he doesn't finish it. Very frustrating.
Thanks mate....took some research
Will that Turkey goal knock the stuffing out of Portugal?
BOOM BOOM!
Turkey want a pen...not given
Where's Tyler Roberts?
Yilmaz went down , looking for a penalty . Should have been booked for diving. Then Chalanoglu booked
Looks like the Italy v. North Macedonia and Sweden v. Czech matches are headed for extra time.
Joe Felix on for Jota. Good player to have coming off the bench
He's a Leeds player....probably hurt!!!
James with a chance.... blows the break....he wastes too many chances!!
Oh - Dan was in again and again he's foiled!
Dan James should have scored. Was clean through but took too long to shoot then a slide tackle by Siebert prevented a goal
I just checked . Tyler Roberts to even in the Welsh squad, so as Dave stated probably out injured.
Austria knocking on the door with a profusion of corners.
There Austrian players out due to COVID
Free kick chance for the Welsh....cue Bale?
Schlager booked for a foul on Bale just outside the box to stop a long run
Bale earns another great free kick opportunity now. Hat-trick time?
Bale to take...into the wall
Yeah - that's probably right.
Into the wall by Bale . Welsh players want a penalty for hand ball. Nothing doing
Octavio should have made it 3-1. Paolo Guerrero did well to keep the ball in play then a great cross and a free header for OPctaviuo went well wide
Why didn't VAR check that off the wall
SO inconsistent
That looked like it struck Sabitzer's arm. Seen them given.
The Jocks have taken the lead over the Poles
Kieran Tierney gave the Jocks the lead vs the Poles in a friendly a few minutes ago
Poor pass by Moutinho and an equally poor clearance result ing a Portugal corner
Very squeaky bum time in the back for the Welsh!
The Welsh manager will want all his players to be on the same Page
This one's still on a knife's edge because Wales haven't finished their chances. I could see Austria scrambling another one in.
Turkey want a pen...if it was Liverpool or City...that's a pen
Ref is going to the screen...that usually means a change!
It is a penalty for Turkey!!
Still no goals in Italy or Sweden going into the last ten minutes.
Penalty Turkey
Wow - Portugal in trouble!
HE MISSES IT..WHAT A NUMPTY!!
Yilmaz to take.
WOW! SKIED INTO THE CROWD
Post a Comment
<< Home