The Official 2018 Russia World Cup natter

[Ayahuasca]

Qualification is all but decided. Panama has just qualified by a non-goal that knocked out the USA.

So let the false hopes and bitter disappointment begin..

[vladcjelli]

What sort of time, British time, are the matches likely to be played?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

vladcjelli said:

What sort of time, British time, are the matches likely to be played?

Depends. Russia is big with about 73 time zones, and there are games all over. Moscow/St Petersburg are only a few hours ahead. So a 7.30 pm ko will be on about half 11 pm. But Eastern Siberia is about 8 or 9 hours ahead.

[Ascayman]

im looking forward to how good the Russian team suddenly become.

[Russ35]

UK times for games appear to be 1pm, 4pm and 7pm, although there is one day where there are 4 games, so there is a game at 11:30am

The following is a link to the full schedule but shows what I assume is local time.

https://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/...

[Fittster]

No conflicts of interest for Donald Trump.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

vladcjelli said:

What sort of time, British time, are the matches likely to be played?

Depends. Russia is big with about 73 time zones, and there are games all over. Moscow/St Petersburg are only a few hours ahead. So a 7.30 pm ko will be on about half 11 pm. But Eastern Siberia is about 8 or 9 hours ahead.

I got that the wrong way round. As they are ahead, a 8pm ko will be 4pm or earlier over here. Afternoon games in Eastern Russia will ne on quite early. Most will be on during working hours, and nothing on at all at 8/9pm our time.

[Ayahuasca]

USA may appeal their elimination.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/can-the-u-s-...

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Ayahuasca said:

USA may to appeal their elimination.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/can-the-u-s-...

They didn't fail to qualify due to that goal, they failed to qualify because thru the whole process, they weren't quite good enough. I'm sure during the campaign decisions went the way of the USA that shouldn't have done, and decisions went against Panama.

Maybe Panama could say in the 2nd match, they conceded a goal off a throw in given the wrong way, and hence dropped points.

It's like when teams say they got relegated because of a bad decision in the final game. No, you got relegated because you were crap.

[TEKNOPUG]

I particularly enjoyed David Ospina denying fellow Goon team-mate Sanchez a place in the finals, by palming an indirect free-kick into the net, that wouldn't have counted had he simply watched it go in....

[Russ35]

European play-offs draw today gave these matches

Northern Ireland v Switzerland
Denmark v Republic of Ireland
Croatia v Greece
Sweden v Italy

First legs to be played between 9 and 11 November with the second legs between 12 and 14 November.

[Ayahuasca]

My buddy has an apartment in St Petersburg, may consider going if England have any matches up that way. Not sure about any played in Vladivostok though.

[Russ35]

Russ35 said:

European play-offs draw today gave these matches

Northern Ireland v Switzerland
Denmark v Republic of Ireland
Croatia v Greece
Sweden v Italy

First legs to be played between 9 and 11 November with the second legs between 12 and 14 November.

So Switzerland, Croatia and Sweden make it to Russia. All to play for in the ROI v Denmark game, 0-0 from first leg.

First time since 1958 that Italy have failed to make it to the WC.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

How did Italy not get that penalty in the 2nd half. The defender kicked the attacker in the balls. People have been jailed for less!

[PomBstard]

Don’t forget the last two games of qualifying

Australia v Honduras
Peru v New Zealand

Both are 0-0 after the first legs...

[dazwalsh]

Ireland are making a Bollix of it in Dublin, Erikson is having a belting night of football, fair play to him.

Oh well, always the next tournament to try qualify for.

[PomBstard]

Australia through - beat Honduras 3-1 in Sydney this evening.

At least we’ll get good coverage of the tournament now!

[Juanco20]

The World Cup will now be blessed with the presence of Aaron Mooy. What a player

Amazing to think Huddersfield Town will have at least 3 players at the World Cup. Didn't expect to see that happen in my lifetime, what a time to be alive!

[PomBstard]

Juanco20 said:

Amazing to think Huddersfield Town will have at least 3 players at the World Cup. Didn't expect to see that happen in my lifetime, what a time to be alive!

Well, that’s living alright! Who are the other two??

[PomBstard]

And, lastly, Peru have just beaten NZ 2-0 to go through