The Football.....

[Chislenko]

@Chislenko, just been watching TNS versus Colwyn Bay in the cup semi-final. Was it played at the phoenix club's ground? Excellent pitch! Can't believe it's 100% grass at that level. If so, the groundsman of the year award is heading to Belle Vue!

Yes was played at Belle Vue, always been a good pitch. I think there is a shift to artificial now at some grounds as obviously we get a lot of rain in Wales!!

Belle Vue has been used quite extensively for European games for surrounding teams all to do with licenses, number of seats etc.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Is Wrexham's Racecourse a ground non grata for the cup? More equidistant between Colwyn Bay and Oswestry I would have thought. Bigger capacity and Welsh internationals get played there.

 

[Chislenko]

Is Wrexham's Racecourse a ground non grata for the cup? More equidistant between Colwyn Bay and Oswestry I would have thought. Bigger capacity and Welsh internationals get played there.

No, we had a Welsh Cup Final there once against Bangor City. Bangor and Rhyl in their prime were both well supported and opening up The Racecourse was justified by the level of support at that game.

Rhyl would be plenty big enough for a game between The Bay and There's No Supporters.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Aye, aye, aye! What has happened to Bangor?

 

[Chislenko]

Aye, aye, aye! What has happened to Bangor?

For Bangor City, see Chester City, same family took them both over with similar disastrous consequences.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Vaughan_Sr.

 

[Chislenko]

In other football news the winners of Wales v Austria against the winners of Scotland v Ukraine have now been relegated from Pot 3 in the World Cup draw to Pot 4 due to them not being able to complete the fixtures.

I struggle to see if the Scotland v Ukraine game will ever go ahead.

Apparently six of Ukraine's international players have joined the army.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Yes was played at Belle Vue, always been a good pitch. I think there is a shift to artificial now at some grounds as obviously we get a lot of rain in Wales!!

Ha, ha, ha. TNS complained that they had to play on grass!!! My lack of sympathy overfloweth.

 

[T4tomo]

In other football news the winners of Wales v Austria against the winners of Scotland v Ukraine have now been relegated from Pot 3 in the World Cup draw to Pot 4 due to them not being able to complete the fixtures.

I struggle to see if the Scotland v Ukraine game will ever go ahead.

Apparently six of Ukraine's international players have joined the army.

What is logic behind that? either the qualifier will be decided in time or another decision will be made to decide it (presumably Ukriane defaulting the tie) but they will still be UEFA playoff qualifier so why relegate to pot 4?

 

[AndyRM]

They're going off rankings rather than geography this time. Bit weird, but that's the understatement of the decade when it comes to FIFA.

 

[Chislenko]

What is logic behind that? either the qualifier will be decided in time or another decision will be made to decide it (presumably Ukriane defaulting the tie) but they will still be UEFA playoff qualifier so why relegate to pot 4?

FIFA and logic in the same paragraph Tomo!

I feel sure that if the play off involving Italy and Portugal had been delayed this decision would not have been made.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

So, Manchester United are interest in ex-Utrecht trainer Erik ten Hag. Pity they weren't interested in the one who got fired yesterday. Or the one who replaced him. 🤥

 

[Slick]

In other football news the winners of Wales v Austria against the winners of Scotland v Ukraine have now been relegated from Pot 3 in the World Cup draw to Pot 4 due to them not being able to complete the fixtures.

I struggle to see if the Scotland v Ukraine game will ever go ahead.

Apparently six of Ukraine's international players have joined the army.

To be fair, 6 of Scotland's international players would be as well in the army.
All kidding aside, let's hope they are in a position to fulfil this fixture soon.

 

[T4tomo]

FIFA and logic in the same paragraph Tomo!

I feel sure that if the play off involving Italy and Portugal had been delayed this decision would not have been made.

Isnt it just a case that nothing has changed, seeding pots are based on FIFA rankings as they have previously been, and Wales v Austria /Scotland v Ukraine all have a lower ranking than 17 other teams (plus Qatar hosts) that will be qualified by then to make up pots 1-3?

 

[Chislenko]

Isnt it just a case that nothing has changed, seeding pots are based on FIFA rankings as they have previously been, and Wales v Austria /Scotland v Ukraine all have a lower ranking than 17 other teams (plus Qatar hosts) that will be qualified by then to make up pots 1-3?

Not really Tomo, if you look at the 15 already qualified teams, 4 are already below is in the world rankings (we are currently 20) so as all the other teams qualifying are coming through play offs there is a fair chance that a lot of those will be lower ranked than Wales.

Anyway, may all be academic if we don't get part one of the job done tonight!

 

[T4tomo]

Qatar seeded as hosts, USA & Mexico plus 3 south american teams are likely to be higher that Wales, , then probably one of Italy / Portual, likely senegal....I dont think Pot 3 is achievable.

you essentially need 3 teams above Wales to not qualify. Only one of Italy & Portugal is gteed that, Senegal may not, it would take some maths for Uruguay miss out as even 5th place usually beat Asia team, equally Columbia may qualify via the 5th place route as have 2 easy games.

has it actually been said that the unresolved tie will be in pot 4 regardless? i imagine no decision made until this round of games everywhere gets completed and a picture is more accurate.