World Cup 2022

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
The current topic on deck is the Scotland v Ukraine match. Wales are going to play Austria as scheduled on March 24. Then, we are supposed to wait until whenever for the other semi-final to be scheduled and take place.


At the risk of insult, is it not a tad optimistic to think that the Scotland/Ukraine match will take place any time before the finals. I suppose miracles can happen, but in reality it would take a miracle for Ukraine to field a squad anywhere close to match fit. Certainly, those players turned guerrilla fighters on the home land are not going to be in any condition to participate in a football match any time soon.
 

CroJack

Key Player
The match between Scotland and Ukraine has been postponed and will be played in June.

This is from the Ukrainian football federation site:

"On March 3, the Ukrainian Football Association asked FIFA to postpone the play-off match against Scotland, which was scheduled for March 24, due to the inability to organize a trip and coach the team in the current circumstances.

After consultations with UEFA and the four associations participating in the European Qualifiers' Play-offs, it was unanimously agreed in a spirit of solidarity to comply with this request. The match between Scotland and Ukraine, originally scheduled for March 24, has now been moved to the June window.

The match between the winners of the pair Scotland - Ukraine and Wales - Austria will be transferred to the same window. It was also agreed that the match between Wales and Austria will be played on March 24 to prevent overloading the calendar in June. At the same time, the responsible parties are exploring alternative opportunities for teams that will not be able to play in the March window."
 

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Scotland v Ukraine is taking place this evening.

Totally bizarre that a country being torn apart by war is able to play such a football match.

May the worst team win.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Good game tonight and Ukraine deserved their 3-1 win to face us; in fact they could/should have got 5 or 6. They are a very good team and I wouldn't place a penny on us beating them. They are technically very, very good and we would underestimate them at our peril. However, they do have an Achilles Heel in that their defence can be rattled and, in particular, I don't rate their keeper one jot who had a shaky game and gave Scotland their goal. This is a game where I feel we can win but only with attacking football.

PS: I would pepper their box with high balls and inswinging corners to let Keifer Moore have a go at him. But Kiefer would have to keep his elbows down to avoid conceding fouls.
 

KVetch

Key Player
Did they take the last goal away?? Result is showing 2-1 now. Anyways interesting strategy by Page to blood the youth instead of giving the starting squad a warm up before Sunday. Gutted to give up the win and then the draw. But it was against a very good Polish side. Lewandoski included.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
No. The game finished 3-1 and that's the score on the various news channels. As for Wales, I thought it was a very spirited showing by the back-up players well deserving of a draw against decent quality opposition.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
I think Ward might be the keeper and Page likes Morrell midfield. That said, Levitt was our star man against Poland then there's Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas who should figure. But whoever he plays they'll have to play well because Ukraine looked very useful against Scotland.
 

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
TBH … I’m not that familiar with Williams or any of the others that could fill that right midfield slot. I was going to pencil in Morelli or Wilson, but they don’t impress. I could play Ampadu in that role, but not that excited about who would then play alongside Rodon
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Wilson had a top season with Fulham and could do a good job in midfield plus his long range shooting is useful. Could also prove a surprise package from free kicks instead of Bale. I'd also use Kiefer Moore up front to battle the Ukraine defence who can be quite physical and to unsettle their iffy keeper. This would release Dan James into midfield/wide as an option. If we get in front and need to defend a lead, although I'm not a great fan, Mepham at CB would add height and physicality to deal with an aerial onslaught. Can't wait for the game but we'll have to play well to get through. Ukraine is a very useful and technical team.
 
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