World Cup in Qatar - is anyone interested in it?

[DearneValleyRover]

The refereeing’s a farce, stopping games for none head injuries now

[DaveDRFC]

Not sure I've ever heard more sickeningly biased commentary than in this USA vs Wales match.

[DaveDRFC]

What is going on in this World Cup with all the added time??

[DearneValleyRover]

What is going on in this World Cup with all the added time??

Adding on the time wasting apparently

[Filo]

Nothing there for England to fear

[drfchound]

Wales were massively improved in the second half.
Moore was the difference.
Good to see no one slagging off England for a change.
It should be remembered that Iran are ranked 20th in the world and had only lost twice in twenty odd matches coming into the tournament.

[Thorney]

Not sure I've ever heard more sickeningly biased commentary than in this USA vs Wales match.

Cmon. Its no difference to when England play. It would be no different if it was the Scots or the Irish. I'd hate to have seen it on a American channel.

Did you watch the pundits discussing after England's win, that was cringy. Richards talking like England just laid Argentina to the sword. Usual crap during tournaments, 1 win and World beaters again.

[normal rules]

Iran team refuse to sing national anthem.
I’m sure the ethics gestapo will be waiting for them upon their return to the Motherland.
Off with their heads !

[VivaRovers]

Not sure I've ever heard more sickeningly biased commentary than in this USA vs Wales match.

You mean you've never watched England on television?

Unless you were watching this game on S4C in which case fair enough.

[NickDRFC]

Wales were massively improved in the second half.
Moore was the difference.
Good to see no one slagging off England for a change.
It should be remembered that Iran are ranked 20th in the world and had only lost twice in twenty odd matches coming into the tournament.

England played really well, great to see anome confident attacking and you can only beat what’s in front of you but Iran looked a really poor team, some of the defending at times was shambolic.

I don’t think the rankings can have much credibility if Iran are considered a better side than Serbia, Sweden, Japan, Norway, Egypt etc. Hungary are 36th and the gulf between them and Iran based on the Nations League games is enormous.

[Padge_DRFC]

I know they scored, but against decent sides Foden and Grealish will be more effective than Saka and Sterling.

[ncRover]

I know they scored, but against decent sides Foden and Grealish will be more effective than Saka and Sterling.

Yesterdays front 3 has a good balance to it.

Sterling had the raw pace and good movement that Kane plays so well with.

Foden and Grealish don’t really have anything that Saka doesn’t in my opinion. For me Saka is the best player out of the 3.

[Chris Black come back]

Foden is superb. Grealish does tend to enjoy running into dead ends.

[NickDRFC]

I think the right 2 started yesterday. Saka has been outstanding for Arsenal this season, and although Sterling has had a difficult time at Chelsea he links up really well with Kane and was arguably our best player at the Euros.

Foden has been superb for City but never really turned it on for England and until he shows that can’t be considered an automatic starter, whilst Grealish is probably better suited to coming on as a sub given his ability to run at defences and buy free kicks (priceless given the set piece strengths in this team).

All will have a role to play at some stage though and it’s great to have those options (not to mention Rashford and Maddison!)

[ncRover]

For me, as brilliant as Foden is I think that Saka has the better end product.

[Glyn_Wigley]

Iran team refuse to sing national anthem.
I’m sure the ethics gestapo will be waiting for them upon their return to the Motherland.
Off with their heads !

Most of the England team were singing God Save The Queen. Off with their heads!

[i_ateallthepies]

This Wales team is awful

They were, Filo, it was like watching Rovers up against a bottom of the table side.  Having just seen the England game the difference in quality was stark. I turned it off at half time.

[steve@dcfd]

This Wales team is awful

They were, Filo, it was like watching Rovers up against a bottom of the table side.  Having just seen the England game the difference in quality was stark. I turned it off at half time.

Whoops we got beat 3. 0 where the bottom of the table side were better. We can only judge Iran after they’ve played Wales. There 20th position could be false has they do not play European sides
so loosing 2 out of 24 could be misleading

[phil old leake]

I’ve mentioned it on a different thread. Does anyone else think it’s a bit of a concern that we conceded 2 goals to a team like Iran.

[VivaRovers]

This Wales team is awful

For context, it isn't, but yes that first half last night was the worst i've seen us play in years. Far too cautious against a US team that was no great shakes.

Think Wales only hope of going through now is that England score so many goals against the USA they get disillusioned with football and don't bother turning up against Wales.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I’ve mentioned it on a different thread. Does anyone else think it’s a bit of a concern that we conceded 2 goals to a team like Iran.

No. The nature of the goals weren't anything to worry about. Their first was an extremely well taken first time strike from a pin point pass. The second, a penalty was quite harsh and no more than a consolation originated from the VAR officials.

Far more in the game to be happy about.

[karldew]

Taken off Twitter.

“In the 3 World Cup 2022 matches before USA-Wales, the official attendances have been 67,372 (in a stadium with capacity of 60,000); 45,334 (in a stadium holding 40,000) and 41,721 (in a stadium holding 40,000).

Amazing, not least given all the empty seats.”

[BillyStubbsTears]

I watched 20 first half mins of Wales Vs USA. It was everything that is awful about so much modern football.

One side with absolutely zero attacking intention. One side dominating possession with absolutely zero ability to hurt the opposing side.

Utterly sterile "managed" football. Players well drilled and professional, of course, but dreadful as a spectacle. No spontenaity. No moment of individual genius. Just players carrying out orders.

Watching chess would have been more exhilarating.

[normal rules]

Taken off Twitter.

“In the 3 World Cup 2022 matches before USA-Wales, the official attendances have been 67,372 (in a stadium with capacity of 60,000); 45,334 (in a stadium holding 40,000) and 41,721 (in a stadium holding 40,000).

Amazing, not least given all the empty seats.”

Human rights controversies aside, the obvious amount of empty seats for this event will be a big talking point as this event drags on. 23000 empty seats for the England game alone .

[BillyStubbsTears]

If there are thousands of empty seats but FIFA says the stadium is overbooked, are there any empty seats?

[ncRover]

Wales were much better when Kieffer Moore came on.

[DRFC_AjA]

I can only stomach watching the 90 mins of football itself and none of the punditry, which is something I've never done before at a tournament. It's just pure cringe and political

Like yesterday itv trying to make headlines out of someone getting banned from taking a rainbow hat into the ground, you knew that would happen before so just dont do it 

What an atmosphere in the stadium at this Arg Vs Saudi game

[Spud]

I can only stomach watching the 90 mins of football itself and none of the punditry, which is something I've never done before at a tournament. It's just pure cringe and political

Like yesterday itv trying to make headlines out of someone getting banned from taking a rainbow hat into the ground, you knew that would happen before so just dont do it 

What an atmosphere in the stadium at this Arg Vs Saudi game

How about before this morning's game, they started telling a story of a Saudi fan who'd walked a thousand miles across the desert to watch his team? They went to their reporter on the story who instead talked about the politics between the two & other surrounding countries.

[ncRover]

Is the coverage of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi F1 like this? My guess is no as football is always subject to more criticism.

[SydneyRover]

good point nc