The Football.....

[Alex321]

So important to him that he chose the world cup instead.😏

Except that he didn't. I would guess he chose the World Cup in hopes the baby would arrive early (or late enough), rather than actually just at the start of the tournament.

And he has only missed one match - he will be back in time for their next match.

 

[AndyRM]

Then he should not have gone to the World Cup at all and let someone else fill his place. As it is he's lumbered his squad with being a man short when the tournament has barely started.

Sometimes you have to grow up and make the hard choices.

Who are you putting in for Doku?

 

[Accy cyclist]

The France v Iran match is still suspended as I post, due to the danger of lightening strikes. Play will resume fifteen minutes after the lightening totally stops. Could this be the first such case of this happening at a world cup finals I wonder?🤔 I do remember a match at the 1974 finals in the then West Germany almost being abandoned due to very heavy flash flooding (possibly Holland v Uruguay🤔), but they played on with huge puddles on the pitch, but I suppose they were tougher in those days!😉

 

[Alex321]

Then he should not have gone to the World Cup at all and let someone else fill his place. As it is he's lumbered his squad with being a man short when the tournament has barely started.

But only for one match, where it was expected (wrongly) they would win fairly easily.

Sometimes you have to grow up and make the hard choices.

In this case, he probably made the best choice.

Anybody who think he should not have gone at all and let "sonmebody" (who have they got anywhere near as good?) fill his place because he is missing one group stage game knows nothing about football.

 

[Accy cyclist]

The France v Iran match is still suspended as I post, due to the danger of lightening strikes. Play will resume fifteen minutes after the lightening totally stops. Could this be the first such case of this happening at a world cup finals I wonder?🤔 I do remember a match at the 1974 finals in the then West Germany almost being abandoned due to very heavy flash flooding (possibly Holland v Uruguay🤔), but they played on with huge puddles on the pitch, but I suppose they were tougher in those days!😉

Surely this match has to be abandoned. As I post it's approaching an hour since it was due to finish. I doubt the players of both teams are still sat there in their dressing rooms in soaking wet kits waiting to be called back onto the pitch.

 

[Accy cyclist]

But only for one match, where it was expected (wrongly) they would win fairly easily.



In this case, he probably made the best choice.

Anybody who think he should not have gone at all and let "sonmebody" (who have they got anywhere near as good?) fill his place because he is missing one group stage game knows nothing about football.

Mmm, such a sweeping statement to suggest that 'anybody knows nothing about football' if they disagree with your opinion.🤔

 

[Alex321]

Mmm, such a sweeping statement to suggest that 'anybody knows nothing about football' if they disagree with your opinion.🤔

I'm assuming his post when he said that was made believing he had left the whole World Cup, rather than just missing one match.

If not, then I do doubt him very seriously, because if he had not gone at all, they would have had to find somebody to replace him for the whole tournament, and there really isn't anybody for Belgium who isn't there already who would have been nearly as good.

 

[AndyRM]

Mmm, such a sweeping statement to suggest that 'anybody knows nothing about football' if they disagree with your opinion.🤔

This isn't about a disagreement of opinion, or indeed your footballing knowledge.

However, who are you putting in instead of Doku?

 

[Accy cyclist]

This isn't about a disagreement of opinion, or indeed your footballing knowledge.

However, who are you putting in instead of Doku?

I've always said that no way do I understand football tactics, manager choices of players etc. I watch football hoping to see that ball hit the back of the net, no matter how it's achieved! My only football tactics gripe is I don't like seeing the ball played from the goalkeeper to a defender, then a midfielder, then to another midfielder etc, etc. I hope to see a long ball from the goalkeeper or a defender right up to a centre forward waiting to boot, or head it into the back of the net!😉

 

[AndyRM]

I've always said that no way do I understand football tactics, manager choices of players etc. I watch football hoping to see that ball hit the back of the net, no matter how it's achieved! My only football tactics gripe is I don't like seeing the ball played from the goalkeeper to a defender, then a midfielder, then to another midfielder etc, etc. I hope to see a long ball from the goalkeeper or a defender right up to a centre forward waiting to boot, or head it into the back of the net!😉

Hoofball then.

Doku wouldn't fit into that, necessarily.

 

[Mike_P]

Surely this match has to be abandoned. As I post it's approaching an hour since it was due to finish. I doubt the players of both teams are still sat there in their dressing rooms in soaking wet kits waiting to be called back onto the pitch.

They would have changed kit and then...


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy73y401ppjo
France defender Jules Kounde.

"We did some cycling to stay active. Then we stopped and talked while waiting to go back out and warm up.

 

[PaulSB]

Playing in a World Cup finals to me would be far more of an attraction than seeing a sprog being dropped! I'm thinking he might've had the same thoughts.🧐

What a dreadful remark and description of a truly wonderful moment in the life of a parent.

 

[PaulSB]

I can't believe Doku is being criticised for wanting to be present at the birth of his first child...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c74ywv08ylpo

France Pierron should take a long hard look at herself. I believe she has two sons, I have to wonder how they feel about their birth being described as a "disgusting event"?

Full marks to L'Equippe for her suspension.

 

[matticus]

Back to Messi: I didn't realise he missed a Pen against AUT...

So he was just a missed penalty kick away from back-to-back World Cup hat tricks. Has that ever been done?

 

[matticus]

Surely this match has to be abandoned. As I post it's approaching an hour since it was due to finish. I doubt the players of both teams are still sat there in their dressing rooms in soaking wet kits waiting to be called back onto the pitch.

Luckily they restarted, giving us the comedy moment of the tourney so far: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cly8gpp39d0o