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by Rooster | ASEAN NOW

 

Neighbors of English people in Thailand could be set for a noisy month if last night was anything to go by.

 

I personally would like to apologize to all my neighbors and the wider Ratchayothin community as I know sound can travel in air. 

 

But you see it's not every World Cup when England score six in their opening game. In fact in my 61 years on earth it's never happened.

 

Having indoctrinated my young children since they were in the crib as to the qualities of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the importance of following one's national teams (whether English or Thai in a mixed parentage family like Rooster's), we all gathered in England shirts for the kick-off at 8pm last night.

 

My six year old departed for the sanctity of TikTok after a few minutes but Mrs Rooster and the nine year old stuck it out with dad and were in for a treat.

 

 

England scored three brilliant goals before half time against Iran and though they took their foot off the pedal a bit in the second half and allowed some sloppy goals the result was a 6-2 pasting.

 

During the match I'd explained to Mrs R about the lyrics to the anthem "It's coming home". The thirty years of pain. The disappointment. The idea that any success we had is getting further and further into the past. The prospect that finally the agony might, just might be over.

 

She was a bit bemused by this baring of the Blighty soul but despite my Thai she seemed to get the main points. THFC - my daughter - just loved the game and the high-fiving and said she'd be talking about it next day to her teachers.

 

Indoctrination - tick. 

 

Manager Gareth Southgate called it a "marker". (A "marker in the desert sand" would have placed him alongside a poet like Bobby Robson, but never mind).

 

Of course the skeptics will be saying "it's only Iran". But they are ranked 20th in the world by FIFA. 

 

 

England had excellent performances all over the pitch with Bellingham, Saka, Rice, Trippier and Kane all catching the eye. 

 

A horrendous collision that the Iran goalie had with a compatriot meant for a stop-start first half and there were even ten minutes added on at the end but England maintained focus throughout with only a few late slips.

 

Infogol analysis suggests they were lucky to score six; but they created three so-called "Big Chances" that merited 35% likelihood of scoring.

 

 

This analytical tool suggests England would have scored three in normal circumstances and Iran might have got one had the finishing not been so good. 

 

Sterling, Saka and Bellingham all scored goals they might miss against the USA next Friday. 

 

But this was a very encouraging first game for England. It will come as a timely confidence boost after the Three Lions had failed to win since March.

 

 

In the same Group B action at 2 am Thai time Wales scored late with a Gareth Bale penalty as they drew 1-1 with the USA.

 

Don't write off Iran to perform better against Wales in the next match. 

 

In the second match in Group A between Senegal and the Netherlands it was two late goals from the men in orange that sealed the tie that will surely decide the group winners and runners-up. 

 

Rooster has predicted the Netherlands to go all the way though I'll be praying they don't if they meet England!

 

Today in Thailand there is a mouth-watering menu for footy fans on Live TV:

 

Group C

 

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia 5pm

 

Group D

 

Denmark vs Tunisia 8pm

 

Group C

 

Mexico vs Poland 11pm

 

Group D

 

France vs Australia 2 am.

 

Argentina will be looking to get a hatful against the Saudis who are usually hopeless in the World Cup. 

 

It remains to see whether they will be inspired by the expected presence of MBS who the CIA says is a journalist murderer. 

 

Lionel Messi will be the man to watch as he attempts to put the World Cup on his CV and challange the status of Pele as the GOAT.

 

Denmark could be dark horses in Qatar. They are trading at 35-1 on Betfair. England's positive showing has brought them in to third favorites.

 

I'm planning on some shuteye for the third game but the alarm will be set for France against the Aussies in the night.

 

Can the Aussies keep Mbappe under wraps or will they become antipodean cannon fodder?

 

All will be revealed as the Qatar 2022 World Cup continues. 

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-11-22

Even more insufferable?

 

555

Don't worry, bach.  Wales will tear the English apart next  week. 

 

Back to Blighty with their tails between their legs.

 

Happy Christmas (or Nadolig Llawen).

Thanks. Entertaining read. 

 

Imo Messi's quest is to replace Maradona as the greatest Argentinian footballer. This would, de facto, make him the greatest ever footballer. Doubt that he will manage it 

England showed they had a great offense, but also revealed that their defense is not that impressive.

 

Let’s see what happens when they meet teams that can actually play decent football ????

 

How any British fan can get excited about a team that let Iran score 2 goals is a bit worrying!

I am so against this world cup that should never have been allowed in that country however I wish England well and hope they do bring it home as for Wales get rid of that little toad of toad Hall from your government and I will cheer use on.. lol but being Scottish I don't have to boycott because of the little dictator due to their failure!!! Come on England bring it home to Great Britain.... 

5 minutes ago, BritScot said:

as for Wales get rid of that little toad of toad Hall from your government and I will cheer use on.

What has the "government" of Wales got to do with their football team?

Not sure if Maguire, Shaw and Stones are the first choice beside Trippier in defence, but seems to me they are a bit lacking in game time this season for a major tournament against the best attacks in the world. Both United and City have played 14 Premiership games, Maguire has only played 90 minutes in 3 games, Shaw and Stones 7 games. 

 

Conceding 2 against a poor Iran team performance isn't a good start, the quality teams they will face after the group stages should find them out as per usual. Only thing Coming Home will be a disappointed Southgate to an inevitable P45.

8 hours ago, RayC said:

Thanks. Entertaining read. 

 

Imo Messi's quest is to replace Maradona as the greatest Argentinian footballer. This would, de facto, make him the greatest ever footballer. Doubt that he will manage it 

After today’s result I doubt he will. Maradona is one of the all time greats, and I seriously doubt an Argentina team with him playing would have lost to Saudi. 

Off topic post removed

Never mind a leaky defence so long as they put the ball in the back of the net at the other end. 

It's entertaining, skillful football I want to see: dribbling ( no spitting though), good ball control, great passing and deadly finishing.

That's what we got against Iran  Such a contrast to so many dreary games over the last 30 odd years.

Listening to the Iranian captain expressing his support for the protesters back home and seeing some horrific videos of unarmed protesters gunned down by police, in contrast a video today where the riot police joined the protesters, made me wish we hadn't beaten them. In fact I hope Iran win the cup.

Finally, Rooster, do you think you could use your undoubted influence with the website's managers and include an article about the situation in Iran in the Foreign News section? It would be much appreciated.

Forward boys, never look back!

 

If I hear or read..  "its coming home” one more time...  

 

Off topic bickering baiting and replies removed

On 11/22/2022 at 3:07 PM, khunpa said:

England showed they had a great offense, but also revealed that their defense is not that impressive.

 

Let’s see what happens when they meet teams that can actually play decent football ????

 

agree exactly England are already over confident..Iran just turned up for the match that's as much as they did 

Wait till England play a real team going to end in tears ...perhaps they can go down and take the knee and ask for help