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!
In the afternoon, it's Group G and Brazil again. The Selecao have already qualified for the R16, which should mean a B team. But what a B team, with the likes of Gabby Jesus, Gabby Martinelli, Antony, Rodrygo and Fred on offer. Come on!
Join me throughout the day, won't you?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:23 AM
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!
168 Comments:
Good Morning, Bob. Thanks for getting us started. Here for "Friday the thirteenth" day of the World Cup.
Uruguay scoreless this tournament and scoreless in their last three world Cup matches. Cameroon winless in their last nine WC matches and last won twenty years ago vs Saudi Arabia. Have won only once since 1990. Lucky or unlucky for those teams?
GOAL ! PORTUGAL TAKES AN EARLY LEAD
Morning, David - just home from a tedious early meeting on campus. Settling in to enjoy these matches.
Uruguay are 0-1 up over Ghana through a goal by Arrascaeta, which puts them in second spot. Portugal are at 1-1 with Korea and are top.
Arrascaeta has a brace now for the Albiceleste and Uruguay are in pole position to qualify for a R16 match-up with old foes Brazil.
Welcome back, Bob. Here are the summaries of the two matches. Portugal took the lead through Horta off a cross from the right back then Korea tied it up off a corner from Number One Son that a Portuguese defender headed on and it wa spot away from close range
In the Uruguay vs Ghana match Andrew Ayew had a poor penalty saved .then Uruguay savored two quick goals. Suarez assisted on both of De Arrescaeta's goals . The first goal, Zigi fueled Suarez's shot and De Arrescaeta scored on the rebound. The Second Suarez passed to De Arrescaeta Anna his shot went under the keeper's body
Portugal seem safe now on 7 points but Uruguay on 4 points are right on the edge. A goal here or there could completely change the picture.
Portugal had already qualified prior to this match.If South Korea wins the it's between them and Uruguay on goal difference. It's very tight.
Thanks for the welcome and the recap.
That's correct. Uruguay need a big win, which is why they are still attacking.It cvoul;d be like the Japan group of yesterday
That would seem to favor Korea as, like Spain yesterday, don't have much incentive to beat Korea.
You're welcome . Glad to help.
OH! Nice save by the Korean keeper then the rebound headed wide. Not a great defensive clearance
Tis leads me to a humorous quiz question for you. What has Germany done that Japan has never done at the WC? Win the WC is not the answer I'm looking for.
Get knocked out in two successive World Cups comes to mind.
That is, in the group stage.
An LOB blogging duo of stoppage time minutes ion Portugal vs Korea while eight is enough for Dave stoppage time minutes in Uruguay vs Ghana
Well done, Bob. Spot on. Interpret that as you may . This is Japan's seventh consecutive WC , so a German comeback could be that they've got as gold, a silver, and two bronze medals in that time while Japan has never won knockout match.
Portugal vs Korea is 1-1 at the half
Half-time comes in the Portugal v. Korea match. 1-1 there. Portugal remain on top. Uruguay remain at 0-2 heading into the interval.
United's player, who has never played for them, down off contact with Amarty. Nothing doing.
Uruguay two up at the half and as things stand Portugal will go through as group winners and Uruguay will go through as runner's up. Uruguay will be hoping that Korea doesn't win.
The second half of Portugal vs Korea is underway
We're back on for the second half now.
Otto Addo makes a double substitution for Ghana as he brings off the Ayew brothers. The second half is underway
That's not brotherly love. Is it ,mate?
What do you think about Cody Gakpo coming to United? I think he'll make a real difference for you.
Seems like it to me.
Derek Rae referred to a cross as spooning it in. Your thoughts?
Based on what I've seen I think he will be a great signing for United. Sorry he didn't go to your United. Wonder why they're showingVan Dyke as the Dutch star for the Dutch vs U.S. match when it should be Gakpo.
As with everything related to Derek Rae, it's ill-advised.
That transfer along with the one for the Belgian striker Charles de Kaetelere were aspirational. Neither player ever indicated any interest in going to Leeds.
Are you ready for another quiz question?. It's a two parter involving Canada who have played a combined half a dozen WC matches between this tournament and 1986.
I think De Kaaetelere would have been a good signing. That's an example of where Roberto went wrong. I would have started him instead of aging stars who were there based on past reputations
I suppose that Virgil is a more recognizable star for those who watch the Premier League.
Saints defender, Salisu, with plenty of bite in that challenge with Suarez.
Agreed, but hoping that will change with Gakpo going to United
Totally agree - Martinez would have been better off going with the new generation of kids coming out of the Bruges academy with perhaps a few veterans such as KDB. No reason to still have the likes of Vertongen hanging around.
Here are the quiz questions ready or not.
1) What did Canada do yesterday for the first ever time in their WC history.
2) What two things in the match vs Croatia happened for the first time in their WC history. One of them was the only time in their WC history.
Agreed. Roberto left a sinking ship, not wanting to rebuild and probably not aas talented as the golden generation
Looks like we're going to get a penalty for Uruguay here for a trip on Nunez.
VAR checking for a possible penalty to Uruguay
Nope - no penalty. I'm surprised. That looked like a good shout.
That sure looked a trip by Amarty on Charles Darwin Nunez. NO? Hope was that not a penalty. Amnesty wins the battle of Survival of the Fittest?
Sorry.. Meant how was that not a penalty?
Are you truing the two part quiz question I posted?
Inches wide by the United payer who has never played for them . Nearly 3-0 Uruguay
I got the first question about Germany and Korea right, right? I didn't see another one but perhaps I was distracted by the twins.
Thomas Edison Cavani and De La Cruz on for the Biter and the United payer who has never played for United
Hmmm...I just saw the two quiz questions. I'm going to have to put my thinking cap on while I change some diapers. Back in a tick.
No problem ,mate. Here it is.
1) What did Canada for the first time in six WC matches yesterday?
2) What happened to Canada vs Croatia for the only time in their WC history?
Hav e fun, mate. Not sure if the diapers or quiz questions will be tougher.
Zigi did well to save a long range volley from Valverde
Otto Addo is Ghana make another double substitution. Inaki Williams and Abdul Samed off for Bristol City's Antoine Amenyo and Danny Kofi-Kyereh. That's not idle gossip
Lee and one of the Kim's off . Another son and Hwang Chung tonight , which they won't unless they find the winner, on for Korea.
Vitin ha and former Hammer, Joao Mario off. Weekend at Bernie's and Willie Carvalho on for Portugal
Charles Darwin Nunez and the double goal scorer off for Maxi Gomez and and Cannobio. Final rolls of the dice for Uruguay
Half a dozen stoppage time minutes in the Portugal vs Korea match
GOAL! WOW KOREA TAKE A REALLY LATE LEAD
What a goal. It came off a Portugal corner that was headed away and Number One Son ran about eighty yards, triple teamed then found Hwang Chung tonight , who scored with just the keeper to beat
As things stand Korea is second, ahead of Uruguay on goals scored.
I'm back from diaper duty and see that Korea are 2-1 up in stoppage time! They're going through. I wondered if that might happen to Uruguay.
The Spuds striker assisted the Wolves striker
EVERYBODY HWANG CHUNG TONIGHT!
Welcome back, mate. A dramatic finale
On the first question, I think that Alphonso Davies' goal was the first one scored by Canada in a World Cup Final tournament, right?
OnIf Uruguay go three up they're through.
Classic 80s karaoke hit!
OH! Zigi with an electric save as he tips over a close range header from Thomas Edison Cavani . Electric from Zigi Stardust
It was the first goal scored , but not the answer I'm looking for as it was not the only time that happened to Canada. They scored one yesterday. Nice try
What I don't like is that there will be five minutes left for Uruguay to score after South Korea vs Portugal finishes. I know it was due to stoppage time, but not exactly simultaneous
It's over and South Korea win 2-1 , but seven minutes of eight is enough stoppage time minutes remaining
Thomas Edison Cavani electrocuted off a horrible attempt to win a spot kick
Uruguay need a goal - Cavani goes down looking. Nothing doing.
As is, Both Uruguay goals were due to goalkeeping errors. Like Belgium Uruguay had too many aging players at this WC
Zigi Stardust does well to turn around a long range shot from Maxi Gomez
Also Uruguay surely could have done better than hiring an MLS coach.Is that the best they have or did nobody want the job?
Seb Coates diverts a pass from Thomas Edison Cavani well wide. More aging playboys.
Why is Otto Addo making such late subs? I'm as annoyed as Dave. Final rolls of the dice off a double change
I would think an extra minute gets added as it was a double change
Maxi Gomez wins a free kick about thirty yards from goal
Free kick from De La Cruz straight to Ziggy Stardust and that's that as Uruguay wins 2-0, but are out as they lost out on goals scored to South Korea.
Suarez is in tears as Uruguay go out.
Players surrounding the ref.
Why are the Uruguay players going out in disgrace? They are violently storming the ref as he heads to the dressing room. Good riddance if that's how they're going to be
First time three Asian teams have made the knockout rounds as the Aussies count as an Asian team.
Back after lunch to check out the late ones.
The team news for the Brazil v. Cameroon match on Fox:
Cameroon: Epassy, Fai, Wooh, Ebosse, Tolo, Zambo Anguissa, Kunde, Mbeumo, Choupo-Moting, Ngamaleu, Aboubakar.
Subs: Ngapandouetnbu, Mbekeli, Ondoua, Nkoudou, Nsame, Bassogog, Toko Ekambi, Gouet, Mbaizo, Ntcham, Marou.
Brazil: Ederson, Dani Alves, Eder Militao, Bremer, Alex Telles, Fabinho, Fred, Antony, Rodrygo, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus.
Subs: Alisson, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Richarlison, Raphinha, Weverton, Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius Junior, Everton Ribeiro, Pedro.
Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA).
On FS1 we've got the all-European clash between Serbia and Switz.
Back from running a couple of errands. Looks like South Korea will face Brazil
Cameroon up against it. Winless in nine since defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in 2002. Also only one win since 1990 , which is one win in the last seventeen. Lean times since the glory years
They're off in both matches
Brazil in their change strip of blue jerseys and white shorts. How does that contrast with green less than yellow? I guess maybe by a tad
Probably Switzerland have the best chance of going through second, as they don't have to face Brazil today. All they need is a draw and Brazil not losing.
Still trying to puzzle out your two questions. I've got a guess for the second question. It's the first time Croatia have qualified for two successive R16 rounds?
Welcome back. What do you think of those Cameroon stats I posted at 2:01? Really poor since 1990 and failed to qualify twice since then
The question was the fCroatia was the first team to do this to Canada. the second one is more difficult. I can answer those if you would like
Cameroon's starting keeper, Andre Onana, who plays for Inter , not playing because he was sent home just before the start of the tournament for getting in a shouting match with manager, Rigobert Song.I guess Andre was out of key according to Rigo?
Actually Croatia is the only team to have done this to Canada at the WC
Long range shot from Zivkovic off the post for the Serbs. The Serb keeper made a nice double save earlier
OH! Epassy does well to tip over a header from Martinelli off a cross from Fred
GOAL ! THE SWISS TAKE THE LEAD
Nice run down the left by Ricardo Rodriguez and Sow what ion it's a poor clearance as he passed to Shaquiri and he beat the keeper at the near post. Against the run of play as the Serbs had been the better team
GOAL ! MITROVIC HEADS IN THE EQUALIZER FOR SERBIA
Nice tackle won at the halfway line then a nice run down the left by Tadic then his excellent cross was headed in by Mitrovic
OH! wide by Shaquiri with just Epassy to beat off a superb long ball from Ricardo Rodriguez
That's a remarkably poor record for a side that I most remember from the 1990 Roger Milla team that England eventually knocked out in the quarters.
collins Fai booked for a foul from behind on Rodrygo about 25 yards from goal
Welcome back. Agreed. The Lions have been more toothless than indomitable since then
Nasty by Vargas on Zivkovic and booked for that
GOAL ! SERBIA HAVE COME FROM BEHIND TO TAKE THE LEAD. VLAHOVIC WITH A WELL PALCED SHOT
As with the first Serb goal, the Swiss lost the ball in midfield and not sure wo put Vlahovic through , but it was nice pass and nice finish for a 2-1 lead. As things stand Serbs are now second and set to face Portugal who they topped in their qualifying group
The Serbs take the lead!
GOAL! DESMOND AS THE SWISS TIE IT UP
Nice team goal. Sow what, but he played wide right to Ricard Widmer and his cross was put away at the far post by Embolo for his second goal of the tournament. Swiss back in second place
A trio of stoppage time minutes in thew Swiss vs Serbs and a Barber Shop Quartet in the Brazil match
Embolo equalizes with a tap in! Switz back in the knock out rounds!
OH! Nice save by Allison to keep it 0-0 off a great header
Disappointing from Brazil. They've controlled the match but haven't set the world alight.
Serb vs Swiss Desmond at the end of an exciting first half
Brazil has been 0-0 at halftime of each of their matches then have adjusted in the second half. Like Spain of 2010?
That's 24 0-0 halftime scores, three from Brazil.
Here's a trivia question for you - only four teams in this tournament are unbeaten at this point. Name them.
England and the U.S. are two of the four
The Dutch makes three. Is Brazil the fourth or do they not count as they haven't completed three matches?
Half-time arrives. Switzerland in that second spot currently. But this one is on a knife's edge, as they have been all week.
I think there's five: England, U.S., Dutch , Morocco, and Croatia.
Nope - Brazil would be the fifth if they avoid defeat. There is one more.
You're spot on - I had neglected Croatia!
News at half-time that Christian Pulisic has been cleared to play against The Netherlands tomorrow.
There have been 24 0-0 draws, but higher scoring than 1990 and 2010 due to the numerous amount of second half goals.
Also half a dozen 0-0 group match results which ties the record for 2010. The record for group matches will be broken if Brazil vs Cameroon finishes 0-0 , which would tie the tournament record with the knockouts yet to be played. However there were fewer matches played in the 24 team tournaments of 1982 and 1990.
That's great news . I was pulling for Puli
The players are back out for the second half.
Dragon Stojkovic letting the players have it. A draw isn't good enough for them
The second halves are underway
It's usually the second half when these games come to life. I wouldn't be surprised if Cameroon created an upset here. Brazil can't be bothered.
Brazilian fullback Alessandro is down for the count now.
GOAL! FREULER , THE FOREST PLAYER, GIVES THE SWISS A 3-1 LEAD
How about that for a team . Nice pass from Shaquiri and a claver back heel from Vargas to allow that finish from Freuler.
Serbs in big trouble as they now have only a point . Cameroon needs a goal too, but that may not be enough
The Swiss firmly in the driver's seat now. Serbs need two goals.
Also, this tournament is higher scoring than 2010 because a record setting number of 1-0 results in 2010. A record setting fourteen in the group and eighteen overall. Half a dozen of those boy winners, Spain. Only eight this time , but nine if Brazil vs cameroon finishes that way.
Epassy does well to tip over a shot from Martinelli
OH! off the corner Epassy frumbles a shot by Militia then recovers to turn it around to avoid an embarrassing OG
Oh - Embolo should have had his brace!
OH! Embolo misses a sitter. Shoots over from, a yard out. Should have been 4-2 to the Swiss
What happened to Dave? I thought with the WC he would have been a regular.
Epassy with half a dozen saves. Only starting for Cameroon because Andre Onana was sent home.
Oh - Tadic should have put that one on target. But of course the game is easy from my easy chair.
I posted some stats at 3:15. What is your interpretation? I thought I remembered 2010 being a better WC than that
Bryan Mbuembo , of the Bees replaced by Ekambi
Gabby Jesus on for Pedro
Bad boy Mitrovic thinks he was pulled back. Nothing doing from the ref.
This one doesn't feel low scoring, definitely not like 1990 and 2010. The last few days have been great.
Serbian bench going on the field because Miotrovic wasn't awarded a penalty. Stojkovic furiously getting them off the field. Rajkovic booked. What weren't the other players booked?
Agreed, bob. I think this tournament has the highest percentage of second half goals of any tournament, but I will need to check that
Shaquiri and Sow what as Edilmilson Fernandes and Zakaria are on for them
Zakaria on Chelsea? I sure haven't seen him play. FOTMOB lists him as playing one CL match for them
Ekambi has a long range shot comfortably saved by Ederson. Didn't realize Alison was being rested
Abu Baker booked for a foul from behind on Martinelli on a Brazil break from a Cameroon corner
Wahay! Bad Boy Mitrovic into the book. One more yellow and I'll get a point, right?
This comment has been removed by the author.
That's correct. You would get a point, but not much time remaining. I have noticed throughout his career that he seems to do just enough not to be sent off, or at least in recent years. There's always a chance
That's it me. I'll post the updates this evening
It's all kicking off with Xhaka Khan in the middle of it.
The Round of Sixteen:
Holland vs U.S.
Argies vs Aussies
France vs Poland
England vs Senegal
Japan vs Croatia
Brazil vs South Korea
Morocco vS Spain
Portugal vs Switzerland
That looks to be a fabulous round of matches and I'm already noticing some potentially superb quarterfinal matches, including:
England v. France
Argentina v. Netherlands
Spain v. France.
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