And they still say money can't buy happiness - OTT 53 [R]

De Ligt - Nederlands' best CB??
Leaving aside VVD, even Sopurs fans would have a larf about that

 

Casemiro - Brazil's best DM....

jeez, I laughed so hard I hurt myself .....
maybe 10 years ago.... and that was always a BIG maybe with Fernandino about as well...

 

They can field all 12 against a Liverpool eleven and we would still beat them......

 

Well, on the plus - at least he won't have to put up with the racism - on the minus side he won't be able to look at his wife's face in public....

 

Put this here, move if you wish.

The recent preseason games in the US where there were penalties regardless of the final score, struck a chord with me. Sounded familiar but I couldn’t remember or know why. Where faceless administrators get their hands on the rules and change them, sometimes laughably, often stupidly. Then it hit me last night, the itch was scratched, I remembered. The greatest achievement by any administrators ever, who screwed up a game in a completely unbelievable way.

There used to be the Carribean Cup (still is?). Basically, the Gold Cup minus the US, Canada and Mexico. In 1994 there were qualifying group rounds to get into the finals. Barbados and Grenada were meeting in the final game of one of these qualifying groups. The way goal difference, points, etc. had played out, meant that Barbados had to win by 2 goals to qualify. The administrators, in their wisdom, tweaked the rules. The golden goal was in operation. But that wasn’t enough for the pencil pushers. They further decided that any golden goal scored in extra time was worth 2 goals. Why? Why? Why?

Anyway, Barbados Grenada. 10 minutes or so to go. Barbados handily up 2-0, on their way to the finals. Then disaster! Grenada get a goal. 2-1. Barbados out, Grenada in. 10 minutes left. A few attacks and Barbados are getting nowhere.

So malicious compliance. Barbados intentionally score an own goal, 2-2 game goes to extra time right? On the basis that it’ll be easier to score 1 goal that’s worth 2 goals in extra time than score 2 goals and not concede in the 10 minutes that are left. Still with me?

Grenada now twig what’s happening and they’re pissed. Unfair, spirit of the game, etc., etc. But 2 can play that game. They figure that a 3-2 score to either side puts them into the finals. 3-2 Grenada, they win, 3-2 Barbados, they qualify because Barbados haven’t won by 2 clear goals. So Grenada then decide to score an own goal. Except Barbados were ready. And they were defending the Grenada goal from own goals like lions. Until Grenada went upfield to try and score a winner for themselves. So Barbados haired up the other end of the field to defend their own area to defend against a Grenadian winner. Until, Keystone Cops like, everyone charges down the other end to stop a Grenadian own goal. Ahhhh…administrators, don’t ya just love them?

Anyway this heroic defending of both goals by Barbados continues for 7-8 minutes. Up one end, down the other. And you know what? For 7-8 full minutes, Grenada couldn’t kick snow off a rope and somehow managed to score neither a winner nor an own goal. Extra time. And you guessed it, Barbados scored the golden goal in extra time to win 3-2, but as I said the goal was worth 2 goals, so 4-2 and they qualified for the finals. Football as it’s meant to be!

 

Marco Reus has joined LA Galaxy on a free transfer. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract through to the end of the 2026 MLS season

 

The MLS is great for great players when they get too old to hack it anymore. They can still hack away for a couple of $Million-fed years over here....
must be bloody nice....

 

I got dizzy just reading that........

 

I noticed Paramount+ is showing games and highlights from the English Championship, League One, and League Two this season.

Thank you, Wrexham.

 

So there another diving Utd player to root against

 

Bassey’s going to get caught out. He’s so uncomfortable on the ball

 

Trying to be nicer

 

You know who’s not good? Iwobi

Makes the wrong decision every time

(now watch him score)

 

Fulham bring on 2 attackers

ManU then brings on 2 CBs - at home