Ha, Pearce takes Lita off in the 86th for Ferdinand, and Rigters scores off a bicycle kick for Holland in the 89th. Now England are stuck with very little attacking presence for extra time...if they make it.
I can't blame him to much for bringing in a defender for a striker with a lead in hand. It didn't work out to well, but it wasn't a bad idea.
Shorey's going off with England again, Hunt, Doyle, and long for Ireland, Convey and Marcus for the US, Gunn and Ivar for Iceland, De La for Iceland, Bikey for Cameroon, and Church with Wales' U21's. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1094375,00.html
Kelvin Bossman representing Ghana in the U-17 tournament in Korea, yeah I know its ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=452861&root=world&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1&cc=5901 He was offered a contract a month ago. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReserveAcademyNews/0,,10306~1061549,00.html
He's a really interesting player to have around. Our young players are really impressive, moreso than I can ever remember at the club. which isn't saying much I guess.
Just as a matter of house cleaning, anyone else think we should start a new International games thread for the new year? This one only has 130+ posts, so it still fairly easy to navigate, but eventually it will get a little cumbersome. The new season seems like as good a time as any to start a new thread. Doesn't really matter, I guess. Just a thought. You can all tell me to jump off a cliff if you want.
I wouldn't mind it if someone starts it. But for now I'll use this one...Shorey is starting for England against Germany. He'll have to keep up with Odonkor. I doubt I'll watch it very closely, as its at the same time as Sweden-US (now), but I'll try and keep an eye on it.
Convey is not starting for the US v. Sweden. I am hoping he gets in the match so he can attempt to regain match fitness and form.
Long has scored twice for Ireland and they have a 4-0 lead over Denmark. Will post details when I read more about it. Anyone know how much Bikey played in Cameroon's 2-0 loss to Japan?
That is outstanding for Long. He has looked a bit lost and a great deal overwhelmed for Reading so far, but maybe this will give him a little confidence boost.
Outstanding for Long. this is when national team play pays benefits. I guess Bikey could be most of the way back to England by now? Whether Bikey played tonight doesn't matter, I'd think. If he keeps playing as he has been, he'll be a solid starter for the next 10 years.
There might be something moderator-ish i could do, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how adding another [r] would help... and after that, I'm out of game.
He really was crap. Hopefully he got all of the crap out of him tonight. At least he got 45 minutes, I guess.
Convey wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong - he wasn't good or anything, but he wasn't horrible. Nothing impressive and he made a couple terrible passes/crosses, but he seemed to do a pretty good job of getting into good spots. He just wasn't following through on any of the opportunities. He'll be fine.
To be fair, the whole US squad looked like crap. At least he was conforming to the tactics and game plan that were apparently given to the team.
Shorey looked fine, made a nice scramble away on a play that led to Robinson's clunker. the second goal for Germany had nothing to do with Shorey, or anyone for that matter. Man was 30 yards out and absolutely nailed one into the top corner, and he did that with, what, half a body of seperation? His crosses were kind of floaty, but he created one very nice opportunity for lil mikey to waste. I'd think ratings would be dead on average, nothing bad, nothing particularly good. But that's not a bad thing for a lb. Certainly looked like a part of the team, like he belonged.
Shorey did OK.... Joe Cole started as LW and was replaced by SWP, Richards started as RB and moved into CB. Round those kind of very skilled players he was only goign to play a supporting role, but he played that role well enough. Also at one point he managed to turn the German RB inside out and deliver a fairly dangerous cross.
I've seen him criticized for the play that led up to the first goal. canät see how the keeper dropping a floating ball onto the foot of an attacker is his fault, he didn't clear out of bounds, but it was on the sideline, 25 yards up. the guy tapped the clearance as it was going out, turns and lofts in a shot that robinson spills for an easy tap goal. seems harsh to blame that on shorey, but maybe I'm a fan of his,more than robinson.
I haven't seen or heard any criticism of Shorey apart from the fact that he didn't do anything spectacular and just looked like he was trying to hold his own. But for a guy in his second cap, that seems perfectly reasonable - better to be as secure as possible and avoid getting caught way out of position.
