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"All" that needs to happen is -Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Italy to beat Costa Rica (likely)
Italy to beat Uruguay (quite possible)
England to beat Costa Rica (hmm)
And then rely on goal difference.
There's no penalty shoot-out in there, so yeah, it's possible
I think they are bizarrely almost favourites.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Italy should beat Costa Rica pretty easily.
Given Italy will still need a result I think the most likely result in Ita-Uru is an Italy win
This would almost certainly mean England would qualify with a win against Costa Rica. Theyd have taken that at the beginning.
However can there ever have been a more embarassing qualification than going through with 2 wins and a win against Costa Rica!
9/1 England to qualify which is not a bad bet
If Italy beat Costa Rica tomorrow they would be through so I would expect Uruguay with Suarez in the team to get at least a draw against them. I think England are not nailed on to beat Costa Rica either
That'd mean Italy and Uruguay can (not necessarily will!) play out a draw, and both qualify. Not a nice position for England to be in, when their qualification comes down to two other teams not agreeing a draw.Quote:
Originally Posted by cavan_fan
They wont be through, theyll have 6 points and Uruguay and Costa Rica will have 3 so they could all finish on 6 and then goal difference.
I know im getting geeky here but that would work for Italy not Uruguay who would go out with a draw and a win (or possibly draw) for Costa Rica.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Thanks to Austria/Germany they wont know what they need
Could be right actually; I keep forgetting Costa Rica are on three points.
I still wouldn't go quite as far as to say England are favourites to go through though!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Not bad at 9/1 though.
Thinking about it the worst thing England could do would be to go 3-0 up by half time because then Italy and Uruguay could repeat the Mick McCarthy/Ruud Gullit moment from 1990
Anyone else enjoying the UEFA article feeds on here btw? On this day in the European Championships. They're trying really hard to pretend that the World Cup isn't happening.
Anyways, Japan v Greece, eh? This has to be a good game. Surely?
Both really need to win, so I hope so.
Am I hearing the commentary right here? One of the Greek players booked a flight home because he was upset at the quality of the crosses in training?
And he's still starting?
Bloody hell.
Am watching on BBC, fair to say its a tough sell to their target audience. 11pm on a Thursday night, Japan against the dullest team in World football and everyone in England has gone off football.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Tradition tells us that Italy are likely to draw with Costa Rica. That would leave Uruguay desperate, playing against a composed Italy who will not let Uruguay have a sniff.Quote:
Originally Posted by cavan_fan
Regardless of what CR do against Italy, they would likely only have to get a draw against England to put them in pole position.
I think CR and Italy have to be the favourites to get through.
What tradition is that?Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
A few decent bits of Japanese play is livening this up, but otherwise a little dull. Greece content to stick to a counterattack plan, Japan trying to break them down.
I was in a pub and could hear no commentary. Was it Gerrard who got the flick on for Suarez' winner? My night has just got better.
Is that 2 WCs in a row that England gave conceded directly from a goal kick? Klose got the opener straight from a goal kick in 2010 I think. That's pretty pathetic. I'm not sure I've ever seen it happen in any other game, ever. And I'm watching footy for 38 years.
I've no issue with Gibson's perspective btw. His teammates are English.
Well, my missus and extended family are English. My kids are probably English. Come on Uruguay!
I still think England might sneak through. A draw tomorrow and they're out, but Italy won't play for that. More realistic is an Italy win and then Italy and Uruguay will concoct something. Uruguay will see what's happening in England v Costa. If England is winning then that game will be a draw.
Greece down to ten men.
Might make this some way interesting.
I say as Greece almost go ahead despite the red.
The battle is being lost.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Nah, they know what's good for them really.