"The time for revenge is finally upon us."
At least that’s what England is thinking as it takes the field in Zagreb to take on Croatia in today’s crucial World Cup qualifying match. You all will remember that it was Croatia that knocked England out of Euro qualifying, forcing many an England fan to stay home rather than enjoy the festivities in Austria and Switzerland.
Now there is an even bigger stake on the line, a place in the 2010 World Cup. It is just the second qualifier for both teams, but this match means so much more with regard to the winner taking control of the group.
This is your place to discuss the action. If you are watching the match, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
WHerei is croatia? i cant find ita on thhe map.
I checked out the UK media/papers and they are all hailing Theo Walcott as England’s new superstar that will lead them to the World Cup. Starting to get very familiar to Michael Owen’s early days (where is he now?) and Wayne Rooney’s early England career (anyone remember Roonaldo?). I’m not saying this will happen to Walcott and I hope it doesn’t but what has he proved in an England shirt before these past two games? He’s had a good week and England fans are suddenly reserving World Cup tickets and kicking Beckham to the curb.
This team needs a guy like Beckham. If you dont believe me then look back at what happened when he was dumped from the squad. It’s a shame they didnt come crawling back to him earlier because maybe then they could’ve made the Euros. Nevertheless, you can’t tell me Beckham isn’t one of England’s best midfielders. Does he deserve to start over Walcott right now? No. But he’s a the top guy I would want coming off the bench to take his place. Also, you can play him in the middle when the all too familiar lackluster play of Lampard and/or Gerrard starts to rear its head.
The commentators over here in England this morning are saying that England is now the best team in the world!!!!
I obviously meant, “Is there anyone else in the world you’d want standing over an injury-time free kick that would decide a match?) Excuse my tiredness.
I’m a little late here, having worked all day. But first of all, wow, an imperialism debate. If that’s the kind of debate an England match thread sparks, maybe CNN should talk soccer, because it’s more highbrow than anything on television these days. Second, Mike’s right. If Walcott can turn into a consistently effective player, good for him, but if Beckham wants to play, he has the kind of tools that don’t deteriorate as much with age as those of, say, Theo Walcott (or Michael Owen), and is there anyone in the world you’d want standing over an injury-time free kick that would decide a match?
I dont see how Beckham cant still be an effective national team player. I’ve heard about all the replacements who were supposed to take Beckham’s spot over the years (Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Bentley, etc) and they can never do it. I’m not saying Theo can’t or won’t because I think he will. But if England is tied or down a goal I would love to know I have Beckham on my bench to bring on late in the game because I know he’ll whip those balls in, is always a threat from set pieces and will work hard for the time he’s in there.
Anybody else feel a torch being passed?
I understand Beckham’s desire to keep playing for the national team. In a way, it’s admirable. But he ought to realize that there’s a suitable replacement now, and so he can ride off into the sunset (of L.A.).
that game was bull crap…. firstly that was not a red card…. secondly srna is a superstar…
Wow… I wonder if Wenger can justify keeping Walcott out of the first XI now.
He’s show what he can do. Now he needs to bring it every week for club and country.
I was joking Nico but it looks like someone needs to get their diaper changed soon.
This night England revenge the missing qualification to Euro
Nice, subtle dig, Eric. I like it! Unfortunately Bradley’s not watching. He’s on the phone trying to recruit Peter Vermes and Eric Wynalda.
Eric, that’s classic. Ives should have a top ten post board. And that would make the list.
Ives- thanks for the response. i understand your reasoning now. don’t necessarily agree that it is most interesting, but i agree that most believe so. Glad to hear Mexico will get its own post. Appreciate the response.
Christian- I am chill thanks for checking on me. Didn’t realize questioning the almighty Ives was uncalled for.
ESPN commentator: “Out with the new, in with the old. Beckham in for Walcott. On the night he’s probably lost his place for good. And rightly so.”
Brilliant !!
Theo !! Theo !!
There’s only one Theo Walcott!!
One, Theo Walcott!!
Holy crap. did not see this coming. is it still the first half?
(3-0 England behind a Rooney goal since the rest of the thread went quiet)
Revenge is a dish best served with an emphatic beat-down.
Wow, playing young attacking talent and bringing some goals to a lifeless squad!
Nothing to learn here folks, move along…
There’s only one Theo Walcott !!
One Theo Walcott!!
Nice play by Rooney. Way to defend my picking him for my list of 10 best strikers in the world.
GOAL ENGLAND!!! And it’s Walcott AGAIN on a feed from Rooney. England 2, Croatia 0.
Brace for the young one…
Croatia red card for Kovac means the Croats are down a man and a goal. Not looking good. England is playing well today.
Kovac gets a red card for Croatia. He caught Joe Cole with an elbow to the head while they were both going up for a 50/50 ball, and Kovac drew blood.
It reminded me a lot of the Cichero/Dichio collision from the last Red Bull/Toronto game.
saying america is not imperialistic is to say you dont understand all forms of imperialism.
anyways…go england!
chg. Exactly. All they would have to do is give up their longer live spans, better medical coverage and higher literacy. Now back to soccer…
Come on Croatia!! Where’s Prajnic? He’ll find a goal today. You watch.
@ chg,
I think KingSnake did not mean to use the term imperialism literally, but instead it was used in replace of a word like hegemony that would more accurately describe the US.
KingSnake used imperialism so that he could make a piggyback joke on my comment, I think that was evident.
No hard feelings.
Talk of “US Imperialiasm” always makes me chuckle, as it highlights the speaker’s ignorance of American history, the meaning of imperialism, or both. The Cuban people would be much better off if the US had taken an imperialist stance towards the island instead of giving them their independence after winning the Spanish American War. Havanna would have spent the last quarter century competing with Atlanta, Austin, and the other booming Sunbelt cities as the capital of the 51st state.
England look pretty good. Theo is the spark they needed.
@KingSnake,
A lot. Haha, good reply!!
Nico chill out, Ives knows what he’s doing.
If England failing to qualify for WC2010 would be ‘reprisal for their imperial past’, how much would the USA need to lose to Cuba by to account for its imperialist present?
Nico, it gets its own post because its the game with the most interest among the most international soccer fans here in the United States. And no, it’s not just fans of England, but also fans who want to see England fall.
And for the record, I have already stated in another post that Mexico-Canada will get its own post because that match has significant interest among SBI readers.
26th minute- Theo Walcott puts England Ahead 1-0! A defender tried to clear the ball but had it unfortunately bang off another defender. Walcott ended up with the ball on the right side of the penalty area, and slotted home a cool finish.
@Nico,
I think some people are hoping to watch England fail. England’s loss could serve as some sort of reprisal for their imperial past.
THEO!!!
GOAL ENGLAND. And it’s Theo Walcott. England 1, Croatia 0
Why does this game get it’s own post? Is the U.S. that obsessed with a mediocre European football team? (I’m referring to England not Croatia). If anything other CONCACAF games should get their own post/forum. Strange. I doubt Latin Americans are closely following Spain. Or Brazilians closely following Portugal.
Does anyone have a feed?