Exciting matches and goals galore as World Cup 2022 takes off

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by Rooster | ASEAN NOW

 

 

Media were calling it "Manic Monday" as goals galore and exciting matches finally got the 2022 World Cup going after many 0-0 draws.

 

The first match was probably the best so far in which Cameroon led 1-0 only for Serbia to hit back and lead 3-1.

 

However, Cameroon then found their form and recovered with two goals themsleves to force a 3-3 draw. 

 

In one of the goals the attacker clearly thought he was offside before nonchalantly lifting the ball over the Serbian keeper.

 

 

He seemed as surprised as anyone when VAR confirmed he was in fact onside!

 

The second game was no less exciting with Ghana beating South Korea 3-2.

 

Korea were utterly dominant in the early stages but Serbia led 2-0 before being pegged back to 2-2.

 

The Serbians then found the winner with a low strike through players in the box. 

 

 

The tension was incredible as Koreans in the passionate crowd prayed for an equalizer that ultimately never came despite ten minutes of added time.

 

One feature of the World Cup has been the amount of added time. I hope this innovation will continue into the English Premiership when it resumes.

 

We are often shot-changed by time wasting and other stoppages and it is high time that 90 minutes play meant precisely that.

 

In the third game imperious Brazil won 1-0 against Switzerland. In both their games so far their excellent defence has not allowed a single shot on target.

 

Vinicius Jr thought he had scored late on but his goal was ruled out for an offside, seemingly against Richarlison who was then substituted.

 

With the game looking like a 0-0 draw Man Utd defender Casemiro scored a beautiful goal that deflected in off the bottom of a Swiss defender sending the Brazil fans wild and guaranteeing that their team will be in the last 16 no matter what happens in the final match vs Cameroon. 

 

In the late game that kicked off at 2 am Thai time Portugal beat Uruguay in a more dire encounter 2-0 thanks to a brace from Utd's Fernandes. 

 

They too made the last 16.

 

Today's action is from Groups A and B. These are the final games meaning that kick-offs are synchronized and times in Thailand now change to 10 pm and 2 am.

 

At 10pm in Group A Ecuador meet Senegal and the Netherlands come up against hosts Qatar who have already been eliminated. 

 

Qualification amongst the other three teams is up for grabs with the winners taking on the runners-up in Group B and the second taking on the Group B winners. 

 

Group B matches are at 2 am  with Iran meeting the USA and Wales against England.

 

England would need to lose 0-4 to not make the second round after they beat Iran 6-2 and drew 0-0 with the USA.

 

Wales need to beat England and hope USA and Iran draw to progress to the last 16. 

 

Media reports suggest that Welsh supporters have already accepted their fate but they'd still love to take England down at the World Cup. Despite meeting more than 100 times over the years the neighbours have never faced each other at the world showpiece. 

 

There is likely to be far more tension at the Iran - USA match where it is anyone's guess as to who might progress, if either do.

 

Rooster is expecting England to meet Senegal in the last 16 and the Netherlands to face Iran. 

 

That would mean England playing at 2am in the early hours of next Monday morning (Thai time).

 

Should the Netherlands win their group they will play at 10pm next Saturday, Thai time. 

 

So with 32 games completed and 16 more group games to come before the knockout stages who looks likely winners?

 

I predicted the Netherlands before the tournament began and will stick with them though hope is fading for the men in orange.

 

Brazil look awesome especially in defence. If their strike force clicks they will merit the 5-2 price they are currently trading at on the Betfair exchange.

 

France are just under 6-1, Spain 7-1, Argentina 9-1, England at 10.5 - 1, Portugal at 13-1 and Germany at 14-1. 

 

The tournament is still wide open and with many shocks already many will be prdicting further surprises in the days to come before the final on Sunday 18th December (10pm Thai time). 

 

 

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