World Cup 2022 General Tournament Discussion Thread

Ferris_Bueller

This has been a very enjoyable game so far. Two good sets of fans, good anthems before the game, Ray and Daragh doing a good job on commentary, and a nice high tempo game to go with it. USA very impressive so far - say the only thing that could do them is if they don't calm down on the tackles and get a ment sent off.

Mr.Nice Guy

Not a fan of this ref. Very card-happy.

Trampas

That goal will give Southgate nightmares with maguire at the back

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903569#Comment_119903569

I wish Darragh and Ray could commentate on all the matches.

Schwiiing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903577#Comment_119903577

Expecting a comedy red

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903601#Comment_119903601

Darragh can do any sport, makes it seem easy.

McDermotX

Wales completely overawed in that first half, but they are still in it. US look more than decent.

Mr.Nice Guy

Expected more from Wales. Feels like watching the end of an era. Reminds me of when Keane and Duff were on their last legs. Is Joe Allen not fit to start, or just past his best? He was a great servant for them over the years. Their midfield has been outplayed. I've been impressed by the US. Musah, in particular.

ben.schlomo

Great half from the US. Hope they can keep it up. Wales have offered nothing. Ramsey and Bale absolute passengers. I'd be shocked if Page doesn't have Moore on at ht.

castletownman

Bale's rather lax attitude towards club football catching up with him here.

USA the most entertaining team so far- love if they stunned England on Black Friday

FatherTed

Last player to score against Wales in the World Cup was..........Pele

TheRiverman

Anyone got three spare chairs for RTE World Cup studio ?

theoneeyedman

USA have been good, but haven't created much given all the possession they had against a poor Wales side. Might regret that, Wales are still alive - never give Q sucker an even break. They look a decent outfit, but maybe aren't creative enough to go deep in the competition.

Esse85

USA have impressed me. Thought Wales would offer more.

Just goes to show, you can't afford to carry passengers. Portugal beware.

McDermotX

Better fist of it from Wales last few mins

Decently poised with only the single goal

castletownman

Pulisic is as bad for complaining and moaning as anyone

Mr.Nice Guy

That was a good chance for Davies.

And that was a better one for Moore. The US do look vulnerable at set-pieces.

Dingaan

Wales look dangerous since half time.

Enjoyable game so far.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903815#Comment_119903815

Best game so far this is more like it. love a clash of styles.

TheCitizen

Two poor sides. Easy group for England to top. Bale is done.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903853#Comment_119903853

You would expect Wales to up it v England though. But it could be too late by then.

Mr.Nice Guy

Bale wins a pen!

FourFourRED

Absolutely no need for that. Wales should equalise now

sligeach

Stupid challenge.

Mr.Nice Guy

Never in doubt. 1-1.

DJIMI TRARORE

Bad management by Wales,Nico was playing well in 2nd half,whereas Bale is anon and unfit,ha ha he wins pen and scores

theoneeyedman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903872#Comment_119903872

They have a small squad,not very deep. What will be in the tank come game 3?

Penalty for Wales, dumb challenge. El Golfo equalises.

As I said at half time, USA didn't do enough in the first half, Wales were sh1te and couldn't be as bad in the second half. Gotta be ruthless.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903924#Comment_119903924

I just got the 'El Golfo' well played...

noodler

Fair play to Wales, great spirit and deserve to be level.

omega man

USA were obviously running on adrenaline in the first half as they haven’t shown up at all 2nd half.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903945#Comment_119903945

It is like a different match all of sudden. If the USA lose this they will be sick.

happyoutscan

Is it just me or has Ramsay been rubbish?

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903959#Comment_119903959

Hardly mentioned.

sligeach

Horse$h1# challenge from Wilson. Should have been a yellow. Instead he feigns an injury straight after.

sligeach

The Welshing Dead.

flazio

Fair crowd of Welsh have travelled. Some sea of red behind the goal.

castletownman

I wonder what is causing all these cramp issues one game into the campaign?

Agent Coulson

Bale can retire happy now after this tournament a great way to finish his fantastic career playing in and scoring a goal in the World Cup.

DJIMI TRARORE

Refs are loving the injury times,7;8;9 mins in the games

noodler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904019#Comment_119904019

In Wales' case probably just loads of players who don't get club game time

yerwanthere123

Fair result I think, in spite of how terrible Wales were in the first half. A better team would have punished Wales a lot more for their first half display though.

Kermit.de.frog

You'd worry for Wales when Bale hangs up his boots but I think they'll get out of the group.

Esse85

Definitely won't be watching either of those sides take on Iran, that would be painful to watch.

theoneeyedman

Bale is some operator though, he's consistently shown up in really big games through his career, both with Madrid and Wales. He might not be too fond of training or for run of the mill league games, but give him any sniff of goal when required and you'd fancy him to convert. Tonight is one example, who doubted he was going to bury that penalty? Never in doubt.

It was noticeably how tired both teams were in the second half. USA were dead in their feet, and Wales weren't as bad but they did no real running in the first half. Is this the conditions? Will this be a factor in this tournament? It might effect teams that like to press, like the Germans for instance? Definitely effected the USA this evening.

ArmaniJeanss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904026#Comment_119904026

I'm liking it to be honest. Too often referees do a standard 0/1 in the first half and 4 in the second half no matter how stop/start it's been.

Having a realistic amount added on that reflects the stoppages is an interesting change. It appears to be a deliberate change anyway going by todays games.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904160#Comment_119904160

Didn't he win a CL for Madrid on his own? And he was the main reason Wales qualified for, and got to the SF of the 2016 Euros?

If anything I think Bale is a big game player. Had a poor game today (not fit), but nailed the pressure pen.

theoneeyedman

Just catching up with the news of the day there.

The bravery of the Iranian team is on sharp contrast to the shallow virtue signalling of the European associations today.

While those guys will likely face real consequences for their actions today, the English in particular matched up the hill bleating about their armbands, before marching down the hill again at the threat of a yellow card for Harry. Pretty spineless all told.......

Damien360

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904510#Comment_119904510

Ah stop. I came in here to avoid the current affairs thread which is doing its best to avoid any discussion about the football. This is the soccer forum, can we at least try keep the virtue signalling and politics out of it.

castletownman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904160#Comment_119904160

I would definitely have him on the best International XI of my lifetime. Different player, but Wales' version of Modric or Maradona.

StringerBell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119904526#Comment_119904526

While I'd agree in general, it is probably right to point out how hollow a gesture it really was when it came time to be tested.

On the football side of things I enjoyed the first half of Holland v Senegal, the entirety of the England game and I switched off the USA v Wales game at half time. I wonder will we see a full stadium at some stage on the group stages?