WOW, before I could get set up good here at the bar, England gets a net off the own goal. Most probable courtesy of Beckhams free kick into the box. 3 MINUTES IN!!!! Anyway England is looking good so far, 10 minutes in.
Yellow card given to Gerard in the 19th minute. Definately card worthy, boots up.
Some stats for these teams....This is englands 12th appearance with a record of 22-16-12. Englands best performance was their own win in 1966 as the host. They beat Germnay 4-2 to take the cup.
For Paraguay, this is their 6th appearence sporting a 5-7-7 record.
Another card issued to Paraguays Valdez in the 22nd minute.
37 minutes in time of possesion 59% for England, 41 for Paraguay.
WOW, great oppurtunity by Valdez hitting a side volley just wide of the net. Now in extra time.......and that will be the half with the englishmen up 1-0 over Paraguay
Half time stats, shots England 9-6 Paraguay...fouls 6-8 England....corners 4-0 England....offsides 4-1 England.....possesion 53%-47% England....
Anybody watching this half time special about Germany...I can't beleive that Beckenbaur's parents named him after a pair of shoes.
So far the game's been ok. Paraguay is playing bad, almost like thy're intimidated. England is playing calmly being ahead. Ler's see what the second half brings
1st sub of the game for England as Downing comes in for Owen.
Paraguay is starting to take control of this match. England seems to be sitting on their 1 goal lead and playing a lot of defense. That will most likely not win them a game, better begin to put some pressure on to score.
Beautiful skills by Valdez
67th minute. Jaguarsfutbol and ChuckNorris are shot by a sniper so we don't have to listen to their dreadful commentary anymore
Hold on what is this? Jaguarsfutbol gets back up, obviously Man U has no aim and jf laughs at his dreadful shot.
No really, please add insightful and worthwhile information to the discussion, not random and pointless statements such as "Beautiful skills by Valdez." Thanks
No worries I was wearing my protective vest. But anyway, if you can do better woMan U, feel free.
70th minute, score remains 1-0 England
Yes director, will do no prob.
Paraguay are absolutely ridiculous. They are constantly fouling after the ball is gone, and this referee is beginning to let things get out of hand. Also, #13 is a complete joke, diving and rolling around on the ground, getting Peter Crouch booked when he didn't even touch him. #13 should have been sent off for diving by now.
How about discussion on the great way the English defenders make those overlapping runs down the sideline. really gives good numbers, but can hurt you on a quicl counter.
Diving has been really bad, and yes 13 looks like the premadonna type to fake the foul, just after comminting one.
Yeah the English defenders are making good overlaps. Ashley Cole looks very suspect at left back, however, especially when he has people running at him. #13 just really needs to get subbed off or something, he is a black mark on the game and really should have been booked at least by now.
The great shot by Valdez that I mentioned earlier, started when Cole made a very weak clear. Funny thing, just after I posted last about 13 he commited a late foul in the middle of the field with no call made.
Looks like England will try and play possesion to finish this match with only 5 minutes to play.
Referee's are unbelievably biased. Just as you mentioned Paredes' has fouled multiple times without being punished. Also giving multiple calls such as blatant corners as goal kicks and England throws to Paraguay.
The referees were doing a good job in the beginning but have obviously shown some leniency towards Paraguay. Many bad and missed calls. The head referee in this game was a "sub" because the actual referee failed his physical
The center official is from Mexico, not that I think there is any bias, b ut they have missed some fouls.
here we go with two minutes of stoppage time, score remains 1-0 England.
Come on England! Come on England!
Sideline refs are from Costa Rica i believe.
Allright done here. Imagine that though, the English goal coming of a set piece. they better find a way to score in the run of play or they could find trouble. I guess we will have to watch Gamecock baseball until the next match.
Not much of a highlight reel from that one, but a win is a win...
Not that they would show any highlights anyway, but, no not to many.
Paraguay played horrendous, but England played good enough to beat Paraguay. Hopefully theis is not all they have cuz if it is, then they're gonna be disappointed yet again in England
Main problem I saw for England was not being able to get chances inside the box. A lot of this, I believe, stemmed from the fact that Crouch was called for a foul every time he even thought about going up for a header. Extremely unfortunate for him and with a better referee I believe England will get a lot more chances inside the box and won't have to just resort to set pieces and long shots.
Hopefully...had it not been for silly behavior drawing a first yellow, Crouch could have afforded to be more aggressive there at the end.
Ashley Cole is a liability, he should be replaced by Bridge.
Beckham was a non factor in this game. You cannot just have a guy in your team because he can hit a sweet dead ball from set pieces, he has to do more than that.!
Lampard and Gerrard are both attacking midfielders and cancelled each other out. They do not work as a partnership. Gerrard should be on the right, as he does for Liverpool, and have Carrick and Lampard central. Then you have a holding midfielder and an attack minded midfielder. It is called balance.
Crouch was useless I'm sorry. No way he should wear that shirt. He did get called for some stuff he didn't do, but he did commit a lot of fouls and got booked for dissent. At this level that is unforgiveable. Why does a guy who is 6'7" tall need to commit a foul to win the ball in the air?? His positioning and anticipation are terrible as is his timing. He should win everything in the air and he doesn't.
Once again we had the comment that he has good feet "for a tall guy". Why she he get a pass for having a lousy first touch and average ball skills just because he is tall??
On the subject of the officials I have to say that FIFA have not made good choices. You should not have a Hispanic crew working when you have a Hispanic team playing a European team. They have enough refs to have a neutral crew. This is not sour grapes as England won but it is flat wrong to do that.
Also England did sit back, got complacent and tried to defend that slender lead. They managed it but against a better team they can't do that. Again Sven's tactical incompetence. He is way too cautious. I wish he would get sick with something that would cause him to be sent home!!!