...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 1)

[Seddo]

UEFA ranked them higher in there coefficent system

and that is so f*cking stupid. As a player, I'd be irate if my team goes toe-to-toe with another team only to be beaten by their ranking. Just four years ago a group game would go to penalties if need be.

It'd take a pretty unusual turn of events for qualification to come down to a team's ranking. If the games had finished Italy 1-0 Ireland and Spain 0-0 Croatia, the team's rankings would not have come into it. Italy would have qualified as group winners because they'd scored the most goals in the games between the three teams and Spain would have gone through in second based on their superior goal difference in all group games.

It could be worse, in some tournaments if it goes down far enough you can be knocked out on fair play rules, imagine getting knocked out on a yellow card, now that's harsh. Just as bad as losing on the flip of a coin.

 

Ukraine should be a decent test but we should be able to beat them.

[AnotherDave]

 

It could be worse, in some tournaments if it goes down far enough you can be knocked out on fair play rules, imagine getting knocked out on a yellow card, now that's harsh. Just as bad as losing on the flip of a coin.

If there was a situation that meant the ranking coefficient had to be used and that too was equal, then it'd go to fair play. And if that was equal, lots would be drawn. And just to keep things as clear as mud, FIFA has a slightly different set of rules for that kind of scenario than UEFA does.

 

Also, I didn't realise until just now that it's stated in the rules that the number 1 shirt must be assigned to a goalkeeper. Kind of pointless information, but I'll probably never forget it.

 

 

Ukraine should be a decent test but we should be able to beat them.

My thoughts exactly. I don't think Ukraine really have enough to beat us, unless we defend like we did against Sweden of course. I'm expecting a very Hodgson performance tonight. I fancy England to score a couple, ideally with Rooney getting a goal.

 

[cactus.]

It could be worse, in some tournaments if it goes down far enough you can be knocked out on fair play rules, imagine getting knocked out on a yellow card, now that's harsh. Just as bad as losing on the flip of a coin.

 

I see that as being more just than worse. The outcome therefore would be determined by the actions/performance on the field - even as minute as a foul here or there - instead of what the football federation had accomplished ten years ago, for example. In any case, I don't think we'll be dealing with it this tourny.

 

I think one of the big teams will be sent packing today. Hope it's not France

[Vercetti27]

the media lapping up the return of potato head. wouldn't it be a poetic symbol of english football if, with our best player back and just one game left with qualification that we now end up being dissapointing and going out? Ukraine have home advantage but with wellbeck now supported with Rooney instead of Young we have a top starting eleven . No reason to fear anyone .

[T.Rez]

So Croatia were only fined 64 grand for racially abusing Balotelli yet Bendtner was fined 80 grand for wearing sponsored boxer shorts. It seems like footballing organisations are becoming increasingly backwards.

[cactus.]

Rooney to get a red card in the....53rd minute.

[SIKKS66]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring.

[Punk-in-Drublic]

Terrible first half, we better get our act together!

[AnotherDave]

Agreed on the first half. Rooney really should have put us one up, not that it would have been deserved. Their keeper is incredibly dodgy, we need to be getting shots at him in the second half.

[Northeern]

Ahaha, Rooooney ! <3

[Redketman]

Way to go Zlatan!

 

Sweden is already out but they rarely have 0 points when a tournament is over. 0 points would be a complete fiasco.

[Marco.]

well there you go, they got a beautiful goal there

[Redketman]

Sweden has had some nice chances now. Hopefully they can play better defensively this time and not lose in the end.

[AndyGanteks]

Christ, that was a regular goal disallowed for Ukraine, this was clearly in goal.

[OchyGTA]

Thank god for Blatter being a knob. Goal line technology might have cost us the tourney.

[AnotherDave]

Skin of the teeth stuff there for England. As much as I want us to win, it's farcical that there isn't goal line tech already. Maybe now that England have benefited from a dubious decision Blatter and Platini will push for a change

 

It maybe slightly unfair to blame Pyatov of Rooney's goal, but he's a weak keeper. More balls into the box are a must.

[Northeern]

I wouldn't be in the referee's shoes at this moment. I feel slightly bad for him.

[cactus.]

I wouldn't be in the referee's shoes at this moment. I feel slightly bad for him.

These split second decisions are lot more difficult than people realize. But people are just more willing to point their finger than sympathize.

[ToniForelli]

To think France lost to this weak team . Atleast hooray for England.

[JOSEPH X]

I don't think you can give it when it's that close. That's why we need technology.

[AndyGanteks]

Ain't there that ref standing on the goal-line or so, he at least should've seen it?

 

 

Same thing happened to England vs Germany on the last world cup if i recall, so yeah, everything comes around i guess. But there definitely needs to be hawk-eye for soccer.

[Northeern]

Ain't there that ref standing on the goal-line or so, he at least should've seen it?

 

 

Same thing happened to England vs Germany on the last world cup if i recall, so yeah, everything comes around i guess. But there definitely needs to be hawk-eye for soccer.

Yes there is;

 

 

... but I heard something that it would've been an offside. Either way, something like that should never happen.

[Crokey]

So Croatia were only fined 64 grand for racially abusing Balotelli yet Bendtner was fined 80 grand for wearing sponsored boxer shorts. It seems like footballing organisations are becoming increasingly backwards.

This proves that UEFA and FIFA need their heads seriously knocked together, or either that those sensible countries in the world should break away from them idiots a la Premier League.

 

Well it was a clinical job by England nothing fancy, but did the job.

[Vercetti27]

it was offside anyway , I hope this doesn't dominate the headlines tomorrow , we got the job done

[Hodgey.]

Got the win and finished top of the group but we will have to perform alot better if we want any chance of beating Italy.

Also it was over the line (Ukraines goal / no goal) but he was offside in the build up so should of never been an attempt in the first place as should of been flagged. Just hope we dont start Milner next game as hes been pretty sh*te and hopefully Rooney plays better next time aswell.

[Miro]

Been watching the England - Ukraine game. Too bad there weren't many goals, only Rooney's one which was pretty much due of a mistake of the keeper. Great goal by Ibrahimović, about time he shows what a great player he is.

[Domeux]

I hope this doesn't dominate the headlines tomorrow

Oh but it will...the media love a bit of controversy, even if was offside.

[Seddo]

 

it was offside anyway , I hope this doesn't dominate the headlines tomorrow , we got the job done

Watch this down the pub but it was prety fducking boring

 

I thought we got lucky but thought f*ck it because of Lampard's disallowed goal in the last tourney but they showed the original move being offside after the game so all is ok .

 

I though Ukraine playeed better than us but 3 more 1-0's will win is the Euro's.

 

Amazed to see Sweden beaing France 2-0 making us top the group, would rather play Italy than Spain.

[A J]

Milner was sh*te, and so was Ashley Young, the subs didn't make much difference, and I thought Scott Parker was the best England player on the pitch, but credit to the defense too, which goes to show the type of game they played against the Ukraine.

 

Shocked by the Sweden result, anyone watch it? What happened to France?

[AnotherDave]

So, as the goal was offside, if we had goal line technology Ukraine probably would've been awarded a goal that should have been ruled out. It's a head scratcher.

 

And yeah, Scott f*cking Parker! Blocks all over the place, took a ball to the side of the face and nearly tackled a player with his head. Just a shame he was a bit shoddy in the opposition's half.