Japan v England

Originally Posted by Mr_Ed

Better doing it now than in the finals itself... we had a stinker in the 90 build up didn't we?

that good old Italy 90 myth.

Knocked out Belgium in Extra time and Cameroon with a couple of penalties.

Other than that only defeated Egypt in the group stage.

Originally Posted by El Chalten

most football fans are complete £#%&!wits.

nft.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Exactly.



I remember well everyone talking about how shit Brazil were going into the 2002 World Cup. They'd had an awful qualifying campaign under Scolari, but hit form at the right time. Meanwhile, Argentina had been outstanding in the same qualification section and went out at the World Cup in the group stage..

But even when Brazil aren't great they can keep the ball. Which is one thing England can't do. In 20 years Paul Scholes is the only Emglishman who can do what is needed at the highest level.

And he played left wing. Lovely stuff.

In 2002 against the 10 men of Brazil England stiill didn't get a kick.

Originally Posted by Stickman

Other than that only defeated Egypt in the group stage.

1-0 wasn't it. I remember all the talk of drawing lots because the group was so tight.

Originally Posted by Gruber

1-0 wasn't it. I remember all the talk of drawing lots because the group was so tight.

yeah Mark Wright outjumped their keeper from a free kick.

Just goes to show how far you can get beating relatively, erm, nobody of note.

Originally Posted by Stickman

that good old Italy 90 myth.

Knocked out Belgium in Extra time and Cameroon with a couple of penalties.

Other than that only defeated Egypt in the group stage.

True, but we somehow got within a whisker of the final, it's cup football after all.

Originally Posted by Stickman

yeah Mark Wright outjumped their keeper from a free kick.

Just goes to show how far you can get beating relatively, erm, nobody of note.

A last minute goals against the Belgians in ET and then 2-0 down to Cameroon with 20 minutres to go

Having said that, we'd have beaten the Argies in the final, no doubt.

Originally Posted by Switching Off

A last minute goals against the Belgians in ET and then 2-0 down to Cameroon with 20 minutres to go

Having said that, we'd have beaten the Argies in the final, no doubt.

I'm sure we were 0-1 and 1-2 down, but not 0-2?

It isn't exaggerating much to say that the Argies ruined any chance of that WC being any good - knocking out vastly superior Yugoslav and Italian sides after playing for penalties from the first minute (they did the same in the final, of course) having previously eliminated Brazil with probably their *one* moment of skill in the entire competition - aided by their opponents wastefulness of course

In contrast, they were easily the best team four years ago, but went out to a clearly worse German side......

Karma's a bitch, and they were still reaping it 16 years on

Originally Posted by Terry Silver

But even when Brazil aren't great they can keep the ball. Which is one thing England can't do. In 20 years Paul Scholes is the only Emglishman who can do what is needed at the highest level.

And he played left wing. Lovely stuff.

In 2002 against the 10 men of Brazil England stiill didn't get a kick.

No doubt. I just think, whatever your chances, this isn't the time to be playing well. The best team often doesn't win major international tournaments; it's often about who peaks at the right moment. Obviously you need to have the quality to win it, which in England's case is open to debate, but if they do have a good performance or two in them, now isn't the time to show it anyway.

Just got back from Graz.

What a god awful game, and Rooney looked utterly miserable for the whole game

Think he wanted to @#%&! Walcott/Lennon/Huddlestone a few times

Originally Posted by red in cumbria

I'm sure we were 0-1 and 1-2 down, but not 0-2?

It isn't exaggerating much to say that the Argies ruined any chance of that WC being any good - knocking out vastly superior Yugoslav and Italian sides after playing for penalties from the first minute (they did the same in the final, of course) having previously eliminated Brazil with probably their *one* moment of skill in the entire competition - aided by their opponents wastefulness of course

In contrast, they were easily the best team four years ago, but went out to a clearly worse German side......

Karma's a bitch, and they were still reaping it 16 years on

May have been 2-1, it was a long time ago

Originally Posted by Terry Silver

But even when Brazil aren't great they can keep the ball. Which is one thing England can't do. In 20 years Paul Scholes is the only Emglishman who can do what is needed at the highest level.

And he played left wing. Lovely stuff.

In 2002 against the 10 men of Brazil England stiill didn't get a kick.

Totally agree.

Even the 'poorer' Brazil sides have better technical skills than the more expected of England teams.