Proponents of VAR argue that it will reduce ill-tempered, or possibly tedious debate regarding refereeing decisions and also stop players questioning the referee. Working well isn’t it?
I do feel slightly sorry for the referee who incurred soooo much wrath from Shearer et al, and what terrifying wrath that must be. If a VAR man, and I believe it is all men, whispers sweet nothings in his ear he cannot help but be seduced and run over to a TV screen. Of course that Iran penalty wasn’t a penalty but on the basis that Portugal were leading slightly in the histrionics stakes that only seems fair. It would though have been greedy to hope that in addition to missing a penalty Ronaldo would have been sent off. The players did nothing to help the ref last night, but as a neutral a bit of the theatrical is all right with me. Mr TLF had other views, him being the owner of Portugal in his work sweepstake. In the end he retreated to the comfort of Channel 5 and Police Interceptors – less crime to witness and less stressful.
Talking of sweets, which I believe I sort of was a moment ago, if Sir Gary of Lineker really needs to vent his saintly, Lesta born spleen at someone then step forward Alan Sugar (we don’t do undeserved titles in this blog that’s how woke we are here at TLF Towers). Last week busy defending every Englishman’s right to tweet lazy racial stereotypes and this week turning his attention to gender without even thinking about it. Yes thanks Mr Sucre, I look forward to being sent your latest gimmick;the £14.99 bag of selected sweets (in letter box sized packaging for easy delivery), by my partner to confirm that as a girlfriend/wife I am still loved even though my man is spending all his time with his nose glued to the World Cup. Should I ever receive such bag I shall be visiting Sugar Mansions to shove them somewhere the VAR never shines.
Sorry to see the back of Morocco and Iran. After the tedium of their opening game they have both played some decent football, Carlos Queiroz is a hoot when he is really angry and the Iranian fans in particular have been brilliant.
Amusing twitter line from last night I must recount.
“I can’t enjoy this Iran-Portugal game on TV. The incessant background whining is really annoying me.”
“What the vuvuzelas?”
“No Mark Lawrenson.”
BOOMBOOM!
Reality and not Suraez may just have bitten for Russia yesterday as the hosts lost 3-0. The round of 16 and a game against a still slightly mis-firing Spain may prove to be a game too far for the hosts I suspect.
What’s that Skippy? (Cue 1970s TV kangaroo sound effects)
The Socceroos still have a chance of qualification?! Bonza mate!
Yes, all they need is to beat Peru 2-0 and hope that Denmark and France don’t play out a naughty and convenient draw and it’ll be amber nectar, cork hats and any other Aussie cliché you care to mention.
See Austria v W. Germany, 1982 World Cup for the best example of ‘co-operation’ between two teams at the group stage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgrace_of_Gij%C3%B3n
In Group D, once again one place is up for grabs and Nigeria, Argentina and the well-drilled Iceland, well their coach is a dentist, (BOOMBOOM!) are all in with a shout. The permutations are complex and if you want to know them all, then any fule kno to look in a proper newspaper, not this little Russian ramble. TLF will of course be adopting the ABA stance, no not a three piece version of that Swedish popular beat combo, rather anyone but Argentina. Yes the hand of God might have been in 1986, but it remains imprinted on my memory; I cried all afternoon and had to get an extension for the economics essay, that I had been ‘working on’ while I watched the game.
Maradona handy andies at the ready!
Tsar Fox
National anthem fact fest: Australia
Advance Australia Fair was composed by Scottish born Peter Dodds McCormick and first performed in 1878. It replaced God Save the Queen as the national anthem in 1983.
“Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;”
Chant of the day – French and a personal favourite
You’re not singing any more!
Tu ne chantes plus!