In group A, the last two games are between, the hosts Qatar and the Orangemen from the lowlands of the Netherlands and a clash Between South America and Africa as Ecuador face off against Senegal. We will deal with the Qatar game first.
Qatar, have already been eliminated, making them the first host nation to manage this rather unwanted achievement in world cup history. Not only were they hapless but also hopelessly out of their depth at this level. At least they managed to score one goal to cheer the home fans.
As suggested in the preview of this group, the Orangemen have not shown any true flair, but that can actually be said about so many of the so called big European sides. However, as they already have four points and are facing the Qataris, their progression is almost certainly guaranteed.
The Orangemen will need to improve in all departments once they reach the knockout stages. They will need to look for inspiration from the little boy who kept his finger in the dike all night to stop a big flood. Ironically enough the Orange defence is marshalled by one Virgil van Dijk, so they will hope he can do the job of stopping up the gaps.
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| No holes in Van Dijk |
The clash between Senegal and Ecuador is going to be a very cagey affair. Ecuador only needs a draw to progress, while Senegal has to win. This is where I feel the absence of Sadio Mane, the Senegalese best player will be most felt. I am going to go with Ecuador for this reason which, without looking, is what i think I predicted in the first place.
In Group B, we have a similar situation, where one game does not mean very much and the other is mahoosive to use the vernacular.
The wounded dragons of Cymru are facing up against the knights of St George and as usual the dragon is going to come off second best. The other game is the clash between the good ol' boys of the great Satan, against the representatives of the Islamic republic of Iran, who would probably be preferred to be called just the republic of Iran, with all the civil unrest that is going on back home at the moment.
In the thanksgiving clash between EnGerLand and the good ol' US of A, EnGerLand were appalling, they probably deserved to lose, but they did not, and they will move into the knockout stages, where they will have to improve somewhat to advance further. The tabloids in the UK are slating the management and the team, but that is what sells newspapers and I do not think, the squad will pay much attention to that.
One could almost feel sorry for the Welsh, I like the Welsh, they are a proud but tragic people with a long history of disappointments in many fields. The countryside is beautiful, but there is not much to distract you up in the mountains or down in the valleys apart from the company of a sheep or getting together to sing, Male voice Welsh choirs are renowned throughout the world.
If you are ever visiting that part of the world during the first week in August and are a bit of a culture vulture, make sure you head on down to the national Eisteddfod to experience the essence of Welsh heritage.
Back to the football, and Wales do have one dubious honour, they are the only team to have had a player sent off so far, that well known intellect Wayne Hennessey. Mr. Hennessey is better known for claiming as a defence in court, that he did not know who Adolf Hitler was. This was after he was pictured giving the Nazi salute after a game, maybe he knew him by his birth name of Schiklgruber.
Anyway, to advance, the choirboys need to beat EnGerLand by four goals and despite all the shocks we have seen so far, that is just not going to happen.
To be honest, I am going to need a split screen tonight as I am duty bound to watch EnGerLand but have far more interest in the game between, the red, white and blue, and the red, white and green. It is a simple equation, the forces of good have to win to advance and send the forces of evil packing.
In the game between the dragons and the ayatollahs, the standard was dire until that sending off, shown above, which occurred in the eighty eighth minute. In the ten added minutes and with a player advantage, the revolutionary guard were able to use the human wave tactics they employed in the war against Iraq to overwhelm, the men from the coal face and destroy the Welsh dreams.
Uncle Sam's men have not lost yet, but they look rather toothless in front of goal, as I wrote above, they probably should have beaten EnGerLand but their final ball and finishing was woeful. I think they have to start Brenden Aaronson, their young starlet from Leeds United, He has been performing very well in the English Premier League and he would provide the spark that the Yanks have been missing. He likes to get on the ball and drive forward and his impish energy would really irritate the Iranians.
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| Aaronson in action for Leeds |
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