exile

I think we go into this game with more realistic expectations than 1998. My memory is hazy but I have a feeling we may have thought Morocco would be the easiest game, but we came off worst. Now, we're almost expecting it to be worst or worst equal game. I think maybe last time, when we went 1-0 down it was as if things were all going horribly wrong, and fighting for a draw was not going to be enough. This time, if we go behind at least we know the draw is worth fighting for.

Here are 7 scenarios that look reasonably plausible. South Africa nick a point against Czechia. Both lose (or draw) their other game (against South Korea and Mexico) Turkey and Paraguay draw, while losing (or drawing) their other game (against USA and Australia). New Zealand and Iran both lose or draw their other matches (versus Belgium and Egypt) Congo and Uzbekistan draw, while losing (or drawing one of) their other games (against Portugal and Colombia) Panama and Ghana draw, while losing (or drawing one of) their other games (England and Croatia) Qatar and Bosnia draw, they lose their other game (against Canada and Switzerland) Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia draw, while losing their other game (versus Uruguay and Spain) In reality there are likely to be some upsets and probably not as many draws. Then again, we would only need four out of those seven to happen, and the first five of these involve more than one permutation (so can assume more likely). Even then, we could afford some of the draws to be wins (for one of the minnows against the other) as long as they ship several goals in their other games. For example Paraguay could beat Turkey narrowly, and lose equally narrowly to Australia, and they'd be on -3. A shock narrow win for Curacao or Tunisia would also help as long as they lost their other game. For Groups K and L that haven't happened yet, we might get away with a narrow Congo win over Uzbekistan (or vice versa) if they were to ship a few goals to Portugal and/or Colombia, hopefully scoring for fun. Similarly we may be hoping for England to put a few past Panama and/or Ghana. But imagine hanging on for that to the last games of the group stage 😬

I think most people on here would be very happy to get a point out of either game. I don't think it's unrealistic to target winning the game (whether with an eye for set pieces or on the counter), even if we fall short of that and 'only' manage a draw. Better that than target a 0-0 and end up losing anyway...

👍

👍

👍

OK, I didn't see the image, so I can see a bit why someone might say that (even, a Muslim might say it) Even so, it is hardly forcing beliefs on you? Choosing to cover her head isn't exactly bringing in Sharia Law? Why not live and let live?

Heard a few people from outside Scotland being disparaging about Scotland. But at least we won. Unlike Czechia, Netherlands, Uruguay, Spain, Belgium....

If we get seen off by Morocco and Brazil we'd only have 3 points?

That reminds me of people serving you in some situation saying "no problem" - as if it would be? Like, say, you are ordering a coffee or something and you say " a latte" or whatever, and they say "no problem" as if there might be a problem, although you specified something on the menu they are by definition offering for sale. I don't even mean like some special request like can I have oat milk, or can you leave the gherkin out of the cheeseburger. Or can I just have tap water (i.e. for free) - in which case "no problem" would be OK. But not if it's asking for something on the menu.

We won our last two "must win" matches, after all. This is not quite "must win"; but "win and we're through" must be a massive motivator - like "must win" but without the fear of slipping up for a draw.

Was it a "jobby" performance?

😅

I haven't been following all the news stories here (and can't see if there is a pic) so sorry if I am missing something but what is wrong with saying "Everyone should be able to live in safety and peace and no one should fear being targeted because of who they are." Maybe its a bit glib, like what politicians find themselves saying, or it's stating the bleeding obvious, but why is it humiliating or to be considered something to be mocked?

Motherwell's Elijah Just gets 2 goals for New Zealand ⚽⚽ I see Nygren and Maeda were both in action the other day - did anyone see them, were they any good?