The World Cup 2018
Some observations after two games
As the group stages of this year’s World Cup draw to a close
here are some initial thoughts –
1.
England are doing better than many predicted.
Before the tournament began, I said that I thought
we would at least get to the Quarter Finals. We have crossed the first hurdle
by surviving the groups. I did not predict eight goals and some exciting free flowing
football. This has sent all our expectations through the roof. And why not? After
the doom and gloom of the last World Cup and the 2016 horror show against
Iceland we all need something to lift the spirits. One commentator pointed out
that after the first two games in 2014 England were packing their bags after
losing both. We did of course lose to two previous winners – Italy and Uruguay.
A certain Snr. Suarez had scored 31 league goals and picked almost every domestic
award in sight. Tunisia and Panama were more manageable opposition.
But let’s not be picky! We are in a strong position. By Thursday
night, we will know how well England can mix it with the best. I do have a quiet tenner
on Belgium to win the cup. Sir Harry Kane is rightly getting the glory. But I do
have to point out some solid goalkeeping from Jordan Pickford against Panama
when the game was on a knife edge at 6 – 0…
2.
International players are muscular but
surprisingly delicate.
I I remember the days when it was
not unknown for players to have a quick ciggie at half time. Back in the
sixties, the modern players would be showing off their rippling muscles in a
circus. But for all that, that they are remarkably delicate. So on the one hand we
have Mr Atlas Ronaldo and Mr Universe Shaquiri.
On the other we have Portugal’s
Pepe who appears to be extremely fragile and to have a remarkably low pain
threshold –
One wonders how he would have coped
on a muddy November quagmire against Norman Hunter or Johnny Morrissey.
3.
Despite their delicate constitution many players
are also skilled at all-in wrestling.
There was much talk about the treatment
endured by Lord Harry Kane a the hands of Tunisia. Surviving a corner was like
enduring an episode of Jeux Sans Frontiers when contestants were assaulted by an
array of weird and wonderful monsters. But it isn’t only His Harryship who has had
rough treatment. The Swiss showed similar skills against Serbia without even so
mush as a tut tut from the VAR. This all seems like a bit if a contradiction.
On the one hand players collapse if someone blows a kiss in their direction but
if someone actually is a victim of a gang assault it barely merits and harsh
word in the ear.
4.
Germany have not lost their age old skill of
grabbing last minute goals. When they played Sweden on Saturday, I checked my
phone and it was 1 – 1 at 90 mins. I sighed and said there was plenty of time
for them to grab a winner. It brought barely a raised eyebrow when they did the
inevitable. What is the bet that they now go on to win it. Ah but to do that
they might have to get past Ingerland and King Harry who will grant himself
royal permission to take all five penalties.
