Argentina faced the mighty All-Blacks in the World Cup semi-final.
Despite coming out strong and having a go, two quick tries from the New Zealanders meant that game was effectively over after 12 minutes.
In rugby assymetrical games are just not worth watching, as the underdog has no available tactic to win the match. 16 hours later Everton travelled to Anfield in another similarly assymetrical game, the difference being that deep defending and counter-attacking is an option for underdogs in footy. And despite going down to 10 men with two-thirds of the game remaining, Everton were still in the game until Liverpool scored their second in added time.
I have to mention the England rugby team as they put up a spirited fight against South Africa. In the end they were beaten by a single point when the pundits predicted a 10 or more points gap. South Africa go into the final against the All-Blacks as a very tired looking squad. So far they have faced Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England in the last 4-odd weeks. My mate played for Scotland in the '99 World Cup and he was telling me on Sunday how tired the players will be, and how multiple matches in a short period produce mental and physical fatigue. New Zealand have had a much easier run culminating in an easy semi against Argentina in which they were able to rest players. Get your money on New Zealand for the final!
Talking of my rugby mad mate, he just paid €1000 for two tickets to the final next weekend. The tickets have a face value of €200 (€100 each). The owner sold them to a tout company for €700 and the tout company has added €300 for their own profit . . . ahem . . . admin fee. Big sporting finals are no longer for the real fan and haven't been for years. 80% of tickets should go to season ticket holders of the teams or countries involved.
This month has seen the sad end for two of English footballs legendary figures, Francis Lee and Sir Bobby Charlton. So many of the big stars of the 60s and 70s are passing away these months, the players everyone was talking about when I was getting into the sport as a boy. Sad times.
It was great to get the EPL back after the unwelcome international break. City limped to 3 points against a very good Brighton, while Chelsea threw away 2 points when they let Arsenal back into the game.
The Chelsea bench for the game was: Disasi, Badiashile, Madueke, Jackson, Ugochukwu, James, Petrovic, Maatsende and Souza Eugênio. How the actual fuck is this your bench after spending £1 billion in the last few years? Unbelievably, more money needs to be spent before Chelsea are back in the mix. Liverpool got the usual 3 points against the Toffees and Villa and Newcastle have continued their impressive charge up the table. With only 5 points separating the top 7, the league is shaping up to be a cracker.
 |
| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Soccer is just so much easier on the spectator's eye than rugby. I have never been able to understand when scrums have to kick in. But I will watch the Final. Here's hoping for a free flowing competitive one.
ReplyDeleteTotally true that fitba lends itself to asymetrical contests more effectively than rugby.
ReplyDeleteOr any other sport.
Compared with other sports, the inferior team has a much better chance in fitba, and often wins.
If you want a sport where the better team always wins, fitba isny for you.
Because the mad yanks decided on a different model and implemented it overnight. Jettisoned the big wage earners, get the transfer fees in , sign promising youngsters on 8 year contracts and hope they develop. I was in despair but I'm starting to see signs of improvement under Poch. Yes we fucked it up and should have won against the Arse but there's a bit more belief in the young legs now. Next weeks game against the yids will be a cracker.
ReplyDeleteFootnote; I hope we sign Sancho in Jan.
Barry
ReplyDeleteSince they changed the rules in the 90s scrums have become stupid and time consuming. Also, knock-ons are infuriating esp when the ball is wet. It is a far from perfect sport, but the big heavy weight test matches are still great to watch.
Ramon
Very true. I remember Liverpool getting spanked by Wimbledon in the '88 Cup final and City getting it off Wigan a few years ago. That just doesn't happen in rugby.
Steve
How many years until you challenge for the EPL or UCL again? I like Poch, I hope he does well but I don't see the yank model working long term.
Peter,
DeleteAt least 2 years before CL qualification. The Mad Yanks have huge capital to splash around so I'm actually hoping they DON'T spend anymore on players. Let them bed in and we'll come good. Poch is a good manager despite the spurs stench on his cv. Read recently the yanks bought another couple of acres next to the Bridge. We did a tour of the stadium in July and we were told they cannot build any higher due to some antient law forbidding any structure being taller than a nearby church spire. Looks like the only way they can build a 70-80k seater stadium is if they dig down. Could be epic though, but in the meantime we'll have to play our home games elsewhere. Expecting an announcement at the end of this season.
Toffees played with a defence so deep they were in Tranmere ! Jammy Utd got away with it last night . Sevilla to drop into the Europa & win it again ? City , Reds , Arsenal , Spurs to get # Top 4
ReplyDeletePatrick Bamford must be banned from ever taking penalties again for Leeds United. His latest miss last night at Stoke did not just cost us three points but even at this early stage automatic promotion as there is now a chasm between us in third and the top two Championship places.
ReplyDelete