00:00:00
Speaker 1: I've failed as a footballer, and so do ninety nine point nine percent of people. The difference is I got a podcast out of it. My opinions must all madden. This is the Failed Footballer Podcast, your shortcut to everything and anything you need to know about the World Cup two thousand and twenty six. I just want to say a massive thank you to you guys for following us throughout the World Cup. We almost have reached the thousands up now. We would appreciate it if you just like subscribe and maybe even comment because it goes a very, very long way and we appreciate you guys listening now. Coming up on today's show, the round of thirty two has be gone. Canada left it late, but there through Algeria draw with Austria over the weekend. There's some sort of conspiracies going on there. Will unpack that one. When you see your ninety third minute scream again in only for your teammates to tell you it means of playing Spain next in your face. Changes will unpack that one and the surprise package of this World Cup, Cabo Verde will have the game of their lives as they meet Messi and Argentina. This week plus will the soccer US manage to get it done against Egypt? We were talking all things soccer US and we always like to have a voice on this podcast with actual credentials, and Ned Hall has them all. He's an ABC football commentator and he joins us today to talk through all of that that's coming up on today's show. All right, so Ned, let's start off with Australia. We've got a lot of other talking points to get to, but you know, Australia officially reached around the thirty two wanted they wanted Iran. We I say, will you and me? We wanted to Ran but end up getting Egypt. What do you think the chances are of Australia maybe beating Egypt and what they got to be worried about.
00:01:52
Speaker 2: I would have wanted Iran originally, but I watched that match and I thought they were really unlucky not to beat Egypt. Egypt but really shaky the back. Iran missed a penalty in the first half that that goal ruled out for offside, which was it could not have been finer, like literally just the outside of the guy's toe was over the line. When they look back at the other video and then after that they managed to hit the bar and get one cleared off the line, like Egypt are shaky at the back. So I honestly don't think it's a bad outcome getting Egypt rather than Iran.
00:02:20
Speaker 1: And there is some history between Australia and Iran, and if I'm correct, I think ninety seven right where Iran knocked out Australia, so there's some I think they also wanted to get the get back on that match.
00:02:34
Speaker 3: Is that? Am I correct?
00:02:35
Speaker 2: Definitely? Yeah, that was sort of the great el tel Terry Venables was in charge of Australia then and again you know that was the long period when I studied a nineteen to seventy four World Cup, they're nothing until two thousand and six. That one, they were on the verge of going through there, they were in front at half time and then Iran pulled it back to draw two wall and I think a lot of people weren't crushed by that. People thought that was their chance to get to the World Cup in nineteen ninety a halfter not being there for so long. Wow, that's crazy.
00:03:01
Speaker 1: Now Egypt, you know, Salah is always going to be a danger coming towards the tail end of his career, so he's not as potent, but you know he's still he's still got the quality.
00:03:10
Speaker 2: Right Look the goalie scored against New Zealand in the group stage outstanding, just just classic most salad. Just cuts in off the right wing, cuts into the box, bit of space, slams it in the corner like he still can do it when it matters. The issue he's got here is, obviously he's come off a patchy season at Liverpool, but the year before outstanding. Last season it was I'm not say in and out, but like, yeah, Arnie Slot was taking off at matches he never would have done in the past. So he's not played nearly as much football. There's going to be a lot of debate, a lot of talk all the way into this match about if he's fit. So he went off just before the hour mark against Iran. First they were saying it was a knee, then there was talk it was a hamstring. They're now saying it's a muscle strained, posterior muscle strain and that he's touch and go to play the Sockers and if he's not in not just the fact of what he doesn't what he brings on the field that he won't have that there. He's a big lift. Like the Egyptian players, the fans. If he walks out on the field, they're a different team.
00:04:03
Speaker 3: Yeah, so he's.
00:04:04
Speaker 1: Kind of he is their message, you know what I mean, as long as like when he plays, they play for him.
00:04:09
Speaker 3: So it'll be interesting to see.
00:04:10
Speaker 1: I'm sure they will start him, but again, yeah, leading into that fitness and'll see how he goes fitness wise. Now, do you have any predictions for the game? Popovich? How do you think he sets up? Does he still go with the same team.
00:04:22
Speaker 2: He'll make changes. It was funny, I know if you saw Popper after the game against Paraguay, first question was like, you made six changes, can you talk us through them? And he cut the journalist off before he got to the end to say, like, I'm not doing that literally, I'm not talking about my selections and want's debating it. But look, the fact that people are debating soccer selections is brilliant in Australia, like the fact that people want to know who's in the team. They've got opinions. That's fantastic. He'll make changes. I definitely think he will. The really big one is, again, if most Sallah starts, who do you have on him on that side of the field as he's playing in that left wing back role. Jordi Boss is probably the more athletic, but he was great on the right hand side that slotting in there as a natural left.
00:05:00
Speaker 1: Yeah, I think I want I want to see Jordie Boss. I said it on the last one. I want to see him in a more attacking role and kind of that player where yes, he can help track back, but you want him utilized going forward as much as possible. You don't really want to stick him on most salo one v one and say, hey, do a defense, do a defensive job on this, when then you lose him on the attacking side.
00:05:20
Speaker 2: That's what I was thinking, Yeah, and I totally agreed. I think I think he's got to be used going forward a lot more. But he never played with Christian Volpato before. It's the first time they had played together, and they work together really well down that right and side, So I wouldn't change that too much where I'd change And I'm a bit unsure about what's happening with him Motore. We haven't seen him for three halves of football. He went off at halftime against the US. There was talk about him having an injury going into the first game against Tkia, but then he's not played since, and he's the natural center forward. I love her and Kundor, but I think he's much better coming from deep when he can run at people and he's got a bit more freedom to move around. He did a good job, but center forward and is Paraguay, but she's not his natural go So I'd like to see Motori and there. We haven't seen him at the tournament yet so far, and they're big, natural, big body center forward who I prefer to see it there.
00:06:07
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, I agree.
00:06:08
Speaker 1: I definitely think if if tore, maybe there is something going on behind the scenes in terms of injury or him not being fully fit, because he doesn't didn't feature him last game and he's been bringing them off, so maybe there is some sort of I know he is coming back from injury, but he's played a few games for Norwich before the World Cup, so you know, I thought, well, he should be all right. But yeah, as you said, I would love to see a proper striker in there for the next game. Now we're going to move on to a few of the other games. Let's talk Algeria now, Max match fixing questions asked for FIFA. I think it does look like if if you've seen the stuff, it looks like before the game, nobody wants. Nobody wants to play Spain, and if they had both got through something to do with points in goals scored. If they have both got through, someone wouldn't have played Spain. I don't know the ins and outs of it, but it seems like there's been a massive blow up between the both teams. On the sideline. You know, there's this thing going on with Maras where he said after the game like he didn't he kind of didn't want to score, but he has to respect football, so he ends up, so he scores and the Algerian players go towards him and whisper asa Hey, just so you know, now we're playing Spain. And then a couple of minutes later the goal goes in what facts have you got for us on this situation? Because I'm a bit it seems a bit.
00:07:31
Speaker 2: Oh, it's a funny one because before before the weekend, everyone was looking at it. So now that's a game where like they'll want to draw because both of them go through with a point each, so they both get through to the knockout phase with a draw.
00:07:42
Speaker 3: Yeah, it was a cracking.
00:07:43
Speaker 2: Match for seventy five minutes to all, and it looked like it was. It was like definitely on the level, it was a fair match. Then it fizzled out last fifteen minutes, not much was happening and then marriage out of nowhere. At that point, Austria was just sitting back and the Algerian defenders just passing the ball along the halfway line.
00:07:59
Speaker 3: Yeah, there's this bit.
00:08:00
Speaker 1: Is this clip where they're passing it for like I think one I think it's two or three minutes where there's no press, there's no there's even another player that's stretching like that. You can tell there's no lack of like we're gonna press in this situation.
00:08:13
Speaker 2: But when he scores the goal, at that point, Austria are going out. So they're actually going out of the tournament at that point as things stand, so like in terms of Austria then fighting back and wanting to get the result, Look, did Algeria let them in and score that goal, because the result of it was Austria then suddenly keep alive in the tournament through that ninety sixth minute goal that they equalize with. But they do play Spain, whereas Algeria with the draw stay in the tournament. They play Switzerland. So I know, I know where I'd prefer.
00:08:40
Speaker 3: To be going.
00:08:42
Speaker 1: It's like, would you rather play Spain or Switzerland? No shade on Switzerland, but you're looking at as Spain starting eleven, you go, I'd rather take Switzerland if we can get a draw here?
00:08:50
Speaker 3: You know, does that teeter.
00:08:52
Speaker 1: Along the lines of match fixing though, that's what that's the question I want to ask, Like I think Career already put in a a playing towards Fever, they saying, listen, this looks dodgy, you know, them even putting that across to them say something, But it does there's tina along the lines of match fixing or is it just both teams playing to say, you know, this is the best result for us?
00:09:13
Speaker 2: Do you know what? I think it's a lot more of that rather than the match fixing, Like you look at the Soccaru's result and like again for me, that was always going to be a draw, like because Paraguay didn't need to bust a gut and lose. That's their natural way of playing, which what I mean was to go forward and like to sit back and defend is what they want to do. They don't want to throw everyone forward and take a risk, So a draw was going to be the lightly result there. I think it's pretty much the same with the Austria Algeria match. But to get to the three all there was a lot of twists and turns before they got there. It wasn't like they just knocked the ball around and didn't do a thing for ninety minutes.
00:09:45
Speaker 3: You know.
00:09:45
Speaker 2: The history of this as well with Austria and Algeria goes back to nineteen eighty two and the reason they played simultaneous group stage matches at the same time was because they didn't used to do that and Algeria got knocked out of the Top nament in nineteen eighty two because West Germany. This is how long ago it was West Jerley were playing Algeria, so we're playing in Austria. They needed a one nil win for both to go through. They went one nil up and then they did literally passed the ball around for the rest of the match, did nothing and Algeria went out and both those two teams went through. So now to stop that, they play simultaneous group stage matches. So that's the first time they've met at a World Cup since then. It's just funny that now people are saying they might have fixed the result.
00:10:27
Speaker 3: Ah, so there's this history behind this as well.
00:10:30
Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, man, this is this is the magic of the World Cup. I mean, it means so much to both teams and to every single every single match that is playing played means something. You know, it's huge. Now, how do you think Pamovich is going to manage the team that it has to win? It seems like, you know, playing for a draw, but you know what about the wins? That's what I was That's what I was saying last match. I was like, there's not much creativity going forward. There's one or two players can who can do stuff. But it does feel like it played for the drawer a lot, or plays for the one nil. Which is that to do with the quality of the team or is that just to do with how Popovich is set up not to lose.
00:11:07
Speaker 2: You know, is a central defender like his defense first all the time, that's his mentality. And it's like, sure up at the back, make sure we don't concede a goal. But he wants to play on the counter. And it's the same against Paraguay, which is why it was a bit of a slow match because you've got two counter attacking teams. He'll want to do the same against Egypt. You'll want to bring Egypt onto them and try and hit them on the counter attack. That's what he'll want to do. But whether Egypt play the same game as that or not, and it's going to be again a pretty cagy affair. This is what I love about the knockout stage at the World Cup. You'll get a match like that, but it'll explode into life at some stage because you know you're going home. If yeah, you don't want to go to penalties. You don't want to get it done before extra time. You want to get the game. You want to get something over the line before the final whistle blows. So you're not standing there at penalty kicks thinking that if we've done a bit more here, we could have quickly gone through the one game we've seen so far, the one knockout Canada. It did step up towards the closing stage of the match and Canada got a late like winning gold. We're seeing quite a lot of late goals through the course of this tournament. But I think that's Australia will be I want to say the defense first, caution first from Popovich, but you're not going to see him throw loads of players forward in the early stage of the match.
00:12:13
Speaker 1: So you kind of think it's going to go to like that one nil sort of you know, to one maybe sort of thing, because he's going to set up very defensively from the jump and try not to concede.
00:12:23
Speaker 2: That's the way I think is going to go. And it's whether Egypt play that game or not. But you know, Egypt have got a lot of talent aside from Sally, you know the o Mama Moose there at man City. Again, he's not played a lot of football this year, but they've got a lot of talented players for their side. In Manner Sure, who scored the goal in the opening match against Belgium. They've got a lot of attacking weapons in there. It just depends what Hassam Hassan wants to Does he want to go and push them forward, does he want to take on Australia knowing that he's playing into Popovic's hands because he'll know Australia want to count to them. So yeah, that's why I think it's going to be really interesting. It's almost more what Egypt want to do. Did they want to sit back and defend and play that similar style game or do they want to try and take it to Australia and risk getting hit on the break.
00:13:03
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's going to be It's going to be an interesting game. And it's a three four am?
00:13:07
Speaker 3: Is it? Four am? Kickoff? Over here?
00:13:08
Speaker 2: Four am kickoff?
00:13:09
Speaker 3: Four am kickoff?
00:13:10
Speaker 1: And they didn't do us any favors, But I mean, you might as well pull a nornight. It's a Saturday night guard, get some benies and drinks and just keep kicking on until the till the game starts. Now, speaking of teams that park the bass defensive as well, Cape Verde have done it and they've made it out of the group and they didn't lose a game.
00:13:31
Speaker 3: What do you think of.
00:13:32
Speaker 2: Them just just getting through to the knockout state or just get into the World Cup. Cape Verde is incredible that they're even there and then to actually find themselves getting through for the group stage. You could see it coming because yeah, if Spain beat Uruguay, all they need to do is get a point. And again they should have won against Saddi Arabia. It's not like they sat back and defended. They did attack them. And the game against Uruguay, what are the best matches of the tournament, it was back and forth. They really took it to them. So they've really earned their place. You just look at him, think it's three draws. They've got the gold straw against Spain. They played. Yeah, they deserve to go through. So great scenes from them. Lovely bit at the end of the match as well, because again match being played simultaneously. They were they were all gathered on the pitch around.
00:14:15
Speaker 1: They were all watching the phone, right, they're all around watching the phone to see the results of the other game. The final whistle, Yeah, it was great. It was great to see, you know, shout out to cap Verde. You know, that is a huge achievement to even get that far. Now they've got Messy next, right, They've got Argentina next. That's not the easiest game to get out of the group stage. And Messi's i mean he's six goals in three games or four games, I believe, so you know he probably how do you reckon?
00:14:42
Speaker 3: He goes the reckon, he breaks down that defense mate.
00:14:44
Speaker 2: Honestly, Joe I thought mess would be a bit part player in this World Cup and yet he's been just the key man for Argentina. They rested him yesterday, brought him off the bench. They're only leading Jordan by two goals to one. So he just steps up and slaps a free kick in the net and gets another goal. He can do absolutely anything. Now thirty nine years of age, had a birthdate at this tournament. Like for Cape Verdig players to be able to play against him, like what an experience that is for them? One just a bit of World Cup. They're in a knockout stage match and they get to play against lynn On Messi. But it's only going to go one way, I'm afraid.
00:15:16
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they haven't gotten much hope, but you never know. This is this is the World Cup, you know, But you know we have to we have to talk about the keeping as well. Some of these goals that have been going in that Messi has been scoring, don't take away from Messig absolutely amazing talent. I'm not saying that the goals aren't good. But I'm like, sometimes I look at the keeper that that free kick that he scored, I was thinking, oh, hold on a second, on a second, that is a little bit suspect somebodys goalkeepers.
00:15:44
Speaker 3: Man.
00:15:45
Speaker 2: I'm trying to bring back whether the ball's more difficult for the goalkeepers, but there's been some shoddy keeping in this.
00:15:50
Speaker 3: World A weird goalkeeper going on.
00:15:53
Speaker 2: And the mazlair of the Uruguayan goalkeeper, I feel like actually came out of retirement to come into this tournament. He let that in against against not did the liberty, but he should have stopped it. Wasn't a great effort and bounced over his hand and he gets the hook at halftime as well, forty year old goalkeeper, but he should have saved it. And there's been a few where you look at it and you think keepers should have done a lot better. There a lot of times in this World Cup of keepers have been a bit subper Cain.
00:16:17
Speaker 1: You know, he's going a bit quite like in terms of people hyping players up right and talking about them among the goats or whatever and ballandor He's not like people weren't really talking about him in baaland'or conversations, But I would be happy to put Harry Kine in ballandor conversations. At the moment. It's called seventy goals, seven assists in all competitions. That's messy numbers. Messi is one of his best seasons. Is he's up there? So you know, what would you think about Harry Kane for baallendor if you know England make the semi finals and finals and he finishing up on top.
00:16:50
Speaker 2: I'll ask you this, who would you have in your team? Would you go for Harry Kine or killing them Babe or Linel Messi? If you're picking one of the three, who would you go for to lead your line?
00:17:00
Speaker 3: Ah?
00:17:00
Speaker 1: It depends on that. It depends on the circumstance. It depends where what game is, It depends where we are. It depends if you're talking about let's say final of the World Cup, right, and you're probably I'm probably going to take I'm probably going to take mess is a tough one. Yeah, I've got I'm going to take Messi surely.
00:17:23
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:17:24
Speaker 2: But that's the thing, right, You're looking at guys there who can single handedly change the game and they'll do something the moment of magic. Like Messi has just got different level of skills and Buffy's got the skills, but he's got the pace and the physicality and the explosiveness. I love Harry Kane. I think he's probably the best out and out number nine in the world, but he's not changing games on his own. He's got to have He needs do beelling and giving him chances. He needs players. They're creating for him and he'll take the chances. So that's he's so important. And he's in the conversation for the ballon door that he's not the player who wins you matches off his own back necessarily took his chances. He's header against Panama was great, just peels off a defender, finds the space. But you look at the magic of the touch of Bellingham for the first goal, just whipping his foot around in front of some monitor to Nicko ball and he's more key Bellingham is for England's chances at this World Cup than Harry Kane in my mind, because he's the one who's creating. Where's Harry Kane's there to finish things off.
00:18:21
Speaker 1: A massive thanks to Ned Hull for joining US and to you for watching until then. Keep the World Cup takes coming, keep the group chat alive, and we'll see you next time. Oh yeah, and don't forget du they admin for me like follow wherever you get your podcast. Just don't miss an episode. We'll see you guys. Next one's out on Friday. We'll preview the big Soccer US game that's coming up. See you guys on Friday
Speaker 1: I've failed as a footballer, and so do ninety nine point nine percent of people. The difference is I got a podcast out of it. My opinions must all madden. This is the Failed Footballer Podcast, your shortcut to everything and anything you need to know about the World Cup two thousand and twenty six. I just want to say a massive thank you to you guys for following us throughout the World Cup. We almost have reached the thousands up now. We would appreciate it if you just like subscribe and maybe even comment because it goes a very, very long way and we appreciate you guys listening now. Coming up on today's show, the round of thirty two has be gone. Canada left it late, but there through Algeria draw with Austria over the weekend. There's some sort of conspiracies going on there. Will unpack that one. When you see your ninety third minute scream again in only for your teammates to tell you it means of playing Spain next in your face. Changes will unpack that one and the surprise package of this World Cup, Cabo Verde will have the game of their lives as they meet Messi and Argentina. This week plus will the soccer US manage to get it done against Egypt? We were talking all things soccer US and we always like to have a voice on this podcast with actual credentials, and Ned Hall has them all. He's an ABC football commentator and he joins us today to talk through all of that that's coming up on today's show. All right, so Ned, let's start off with Australia. We've got a lot of other talking points to get to, but you know, Australia officially reached around the thirty two wanted they wanted Iran. We I say, will you and me? We wanted to Ran but end up getting Egypt. What do you think the chances are of Australia maybe beating Egypt and what they got to be worried about.
00:01:52
Speaker 2: I would have wanted Iran originally, but I watched that match and I thought they were really unlucky not to beat Egypt. Egypt but really shaky the back. Iran missed a penalty in the first half that that goal ruled out for offside, which was it could not have been finer, like literally just the outside of the guy's toe was over the line. When they look back at the other video and then after that they managed to hit the bar and get one cleared off the line, like Egypt are shaky at the back. So I honestly don't think it's a bad outcome getting Egypt rather than Iran.
00:02:20
Speaker 1: And there is some history between Australia and Iran, and if I'm correct, I think ninety seven right where Iran knocked out Australia, so there's some I think they also wanted to get the get back on that match.
00:02:34
Speaker 3: Is that? Am I correct?
00:02:35
Speaker 2: Definitely? Yeah, that was sort of the great el tel Terry Venables was in charge of Australia then and again you know that was the long period when I studied a nineteen to seventy four World Cup, they're nothing until two thousand and six. That one, they were on the verge of going through there, they were in front at half time and then Iran pulled it back to draw two wall and I think a lot of people weren't crushed by that. People thought that was their chance to get to the World Cup in nineteen ninety a halfter not being there for so long. Wow, that's crazy.
00:03:01
Speaker 1: Now Egypt, you know, Salah is always going to be a danger coming towards the tail end of his career, so he's not as potent, but you know he's still he's still got the quality.
00:03:10
Speaker 2: Right Look the goalie scored against New Zealand in the group stage outstanding, just just classic most salad. Just cuts in off the right wing, cuts into the box, bit of space, slams it in the corner like he still can do it when it matters. The issue he's got here is, obviously he's come off a patchy season at Liverpool, but the year before outstanding. Last season it was I'm not say in and out, but like, yeah, Arnie Slot was taking off at matches he never would have done in the past. So he's not played nearly as much football. There's going to be a lot of debate, a lot of talk all the way into this match about if he's fit. So he went off just before the hour mark against Iran. First they were saying it was a knee, then there was talk it was a hamstring. They're now saying it's a muscle strained, posterior muscle strain and that he's touch and go to play the Sockers and if he's not in not just the fact of what he doesn't what he brings on the field that he won't have that there. He's a big lift. Like the Egyptian players, the fans. If he walks out on the field, they're a different team.
00:04:03
Speaker 3: Yeah, so he's.
00:04:04
Speaker 1: Kind of he is their message, you know what I mean, as long as like when he plays, they play for him.
00:04:09
Speaker 3: So it'll be interesting to see.
00:04:10
Speaker 1: I'm sure they will start him, but again, yeah, leading into that fitness and'll see how he goes fitness wise. Now, do you have any predictions for the game? Popovich? How do you think he sets up? Does he still go with the same team.
00:04:22
Speaker 2: He'll make changes. It was funny, I know if you saw Popper after the game against Paraguay, first question was like, you made six changes, can you talk us through them? And he cut the journalist off before he got to the end to say, like, I'm not doing that literally, I'm not talking about my selections and want's debating it. But look, the fact that people are debating soccer selections is brilliant in Australia, like the fact that people want to know who's in the team. They've got opinions. That's fantastic. He'll make changes. I definitely think he will. The really big one is, again, if most Sallah starts, who do you have on him on that side of the field as he's playing in that left wing back role. Jordi Boss is probably the more athletic, but he was great on the right hand side that slotting in there as a natural left.
00:05:00
Speaker 1: Yeah, I think I want I want to see Jordie Boss. I said it on the last one. I want to see him in a more attacking role and kind of that player where yes, he can help track back, but you want him utilized going forward as much as possible. You don't really want to stick him on most salo one v one and say, hey, do a defense, do a defensive job on this, when then you lose him on the attacking side.
00:05:20
Speaker 2: That's what I was thinking, Yeah, and I totally agreed. I think I think he's got to be used going forward a lot more. But he never played with Christian Volpato before. It's the first time they had played together, and they work together really well down that right and side, So I wouldn't change that too much where I'd change And I'm a bit unsure about what's happening with him Motore. We haven't seen him for three halves of football. He went off at halftime against the US. There was talk about him having an injury going into the first game against Tkia, but then he's not played since, and he's the natural center forward. I love her and Kundor, but I think he's much better coming from deep when he can run at people and he's got a bit more freedom to move around. He did a good job, but center forward and is Paraguay, but she's not his natural go So I'd like to see Motori and there. We haven't seen him at the tournament yet so far, and they're big, natural, big body center forward who I prefer to see it there.
00:06:07
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, I agree.
00:06:08
Speaker 1: I definitely think if if tore, maybe there is something going on behind the scenes in terms of injury or him not being fully fit, because he doesn't didn't feature him last game and he's been bringing them off, so maybe there is some sort of I know he is coming back from injury, but he's played a few games for Norwich before the World Cup, so you know, I thought, well, he should be all right. But yeah, as you said, I would love to see a proper striker in there for the next game. Now we're going to move on to a few of the other games. Let's talk Algeria now, Max match fixing questions asked for FIFA. I think it does look like if if you've seen the stuff, it looks like before the game, nobody wants. Nobody wants to play Spain, and if they had both got through something to do with points in goals scored. If they have both got through, someone wouldn't have played Spain. I don't know the ins and outs of it, but it seems like there's been a massive blow up between the both teams. On the sideline. You know, there's this thing going on with Maras where he said after the game like he didn't he kind of didn't want to score, but he has to respect football, so he ends up, so he scores and the Algerian players go towards him and whisper asa Hey, just so you know, now we're playing Spain. And then a couple of minutes later the goal goes in what facts have you got for us on this situation? Because I'm a bit it seems a bit.
00:07:31
Speaker 2: Oh, it's a funny one because before before the weekend, everyone was looking at it. So now that's a game where like they'll want to draw because both of them go through with a point each, so they both get through to the knockout phase with a draw.
00:07:42
Speaker 3: Yeah, it was a cracking.
00:07:43
Speaker 2: Match for seventy five minutes to all, and it looked like it was. It was like definitely on the level, it was a fair match. Then it fizzled out last fifteen minutes, not much was happening and then marriage out of nowhere. At that point, Austria was just sitting back and the Algerian defenders just passing the ball along the halfway line.
00:07:59
Speaker 3: Yeah, there's this bit.
00:08:00
Speaker 1: Is this clip where they're passing it for like I think one I think it's two or three minutes where there's no press, there's no there's even another player that's stretching like that. You can tell there's no lack of like we're gonna press in this situation.
00:08:13
Speaker 2: But when he scores the goal, at that point, Austria are going out. So they're actually going out of the tournament at that point as things stand, so like in terms of Austria then fighting back and wanting to get the result, Look, did Algeria let them in and score that goal, because the result of it was Austria then suddenly keep alive in the tournament through that ninety sixth minute goal that they equalize with. But they do play Spain, whereas Algeria with the draw stay in the tournament. They play Switzerland. So I know, I know where I'd prefer.
00:08:40
Speaker 3: To be going.
00:08:42
Speaker 1: It's like, would you rather play Spain or Switzerland? No shade on Switzerland, but you're looking at as Spain starting eleven, you go, I'd rather take Switzerland if we can get a draw here?
00:08:50
Speaker 3: You know, does that teeter.
00:08:52
Speaker 1: Along the lines of match fixing though, that's what that's the question I want to ask, Like I think Career already put in a a playing towards Fever, they saying, listen, this looks dodgy, you know, them even putting that across to them say something, But it does there's tina along the lines of match fixing or is it just both teams playing to say, you know, this is the best result for us?
00:09:13
Speaker 2: Do you know what? I think it's a lot more of that rather than the match fixing, Like you look at the Soccaru's result and like again for me, that was always going to be a draw, like because Paraguay didn't need to bust a gut and lose. That's their natural way of playing, which what I mean was to go forward and like to sit back and defend is what they want to do. They don't want to throw everyone forward and take a risk, So a draw was going to be the lightly result there. I think it's pretty much the same with the Austria Algeria match. But to get to the three all there was a lot of twists and turns before they got there. It wasn't like they just knocked the ball around and didn't do a thing for ninety minutes.
00:09:45
Speaker 3: You know.
00:09:45
Speaker 2: The history of this as well with Austria and Algeria goes back to nineteen eighty two and the reason they played simultaneous group stage matches at the same time was because they didn't used to do that and Algeria got knocked out of the Top nament in nineteen eighty two because West Germany. This is how long ago it was West Jerley were playing Algeria, so we're playing in Austria. They needed a one nil win for both to go through. They went one nil up and then they did literally passed the ball around for the rest of the match, did nothing and Algeria went out and both those two teams went through. So now to stop that, they play simultaneous group stage matches. So that's the first time they've met at a World Cup since then. It's just funny that now people are saying they might have fixed the result.
00:10:27
Speaker 3: Ah, so there's this history behind this as well.
00:10:30
Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, man, this is this is the magic of the World Cup. I mean, it means so much to both teams and to every single every single match that is playing played means something. You know, it's huge. Now, how do you think Pamovich is going to manage the team that it has to win? It seems like, you know, playing for a draw, but you know what about the wins? That's what I was That's what I was saying last match. I was like, there's not much creativity going forward. There's one or two players can who can do stuff. But it does feel like it played for the drawer a lot, or plays for the one nil. Which is that to do with the quality of the team or is that just to do with how Popovich is set up not to lose.
00:11:07
Speaker 2: You know, is a central defender like his defense first all the time, that's his mentality. And it's like, sure up at the back, make sure we don't concede a goal. But he wants to play on the counter. And it's the same against Paraguay, which is why it was a bit of a slow match because you've got two counter attacking teams. He'll want to do the same against Egypt. You'll want to bring Egypt onto them and try and hit them on the counter attack. That's what he'll want to do. But whether Egypt play the same game as that or not, and it's going to be again a pretty cagy affair. This is what I love about the knockout stage at the World Cup. You'll get a match like that, but it'll explode into life at some stage because you know you're going home. If yeah, you don't want to go to penalties. You don't want to get it done before extra time. You want to get the game. You want to get something over the line before the final whistle blows. So you're not standing there at penalty kicks thinking that if we've done a bit more here, we could have quickly gone through the one game we've seen so far, the one knockout Canada. It did step up towards the closing stage of the match and Canada got a late like winning gold. We're seeing quite a lot of late goals through the course of this tournament. But I think that's Australia will be I want to say the defense first, caution first from Popovich, but you're not going to see him throw loads of players forward in the early stage of the match.
00:12:13
Speaker 1: So you kind of think it's going to go to like that one nil sort of you know, to one maybe sort of thing, because he's going to set up very defensively from the jump and try not to concede.
00:12:23
Speaker 2: That's the way I think is going to go. And it's whether Egypt play that game or not. But you know, Egypt have got a lot of talent aside from Sally, you know the o Mama Moose there at man City. Again, he's not played a lot of football this year, but they've got a lot of talented players for their side. In Manner Sure, who scored the goal in the opening match against Belgium. They've got a lot of attacking weapons in there. It just depends what Hassam Hassan wants to Does he want to go and push them forward, does he want to take on Australia knowing that he's playing into Popovic's hands because he'll know Australia want to count to them. So yeah, that's why I think it's going to be really interesting. It's almost more what Egypt want to do. Did they want to sit back and defend and play that similar style game or do they want to try and take it to Australia and risk getting hit on the break.
00:13:03
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's going to be It's going to be an interesting game. And it's a three four am?
00:13:07
Speaker 3: Is it? Four am? Kickoff? Over here?
00:13:08
Speaker 2: Four am kickoff?
00:13:09
Speaker 3: Four am kickoff?
00:13:10
Speaker 1: And they didn't do us any favors, But I mean, you might as well pull a nornight. It's a Saturday night guard, get some benies and drinks and just keep kicking on until the till the game starts. Now, speaking of teams that park the bass defensive as well, Cape Verde have done it and they've made it out of the group and they didn't lose a game.
00:13:31
Speaker 3: What do you think of.
00:13:32
Speaker 2: Them just just getting through to the knockout state or just get into the World Cup. Cape Verde is incredible that they're even there and then to actually find themselves getting through for the group stage. You could see it coming because yeah, if Spain beat Uruguay, all they need to do is get a point. And again they should have won against Saddi Arabia. It's not like they sat back and defended. They did attack them. And the game against Uruguay, what are the best matches of the tournament, it was back and forth. They really took it to them. So they've really earned their place. You just look at him, think it's three draws. They've got the gold straw against Spain. They played. Yeah, they deserve to go through. So great scenes from them. Lovely bit at the end of the match as well, because again match being played simultaneously. They were they were all gathered on the pitch around.
00:14:15
Speaker 1: They were all watching the phone, right, they're all around watching the phone to see the results of the other game. The final whistle, Yeah, it was great. It was great to see, you know, shout out to cap Verde. You know, that is a huge achievement to even get that far. Now they've got Messy next, right, They've got Argentina next. That's not the easiest game to get out of the group stage. And Messi's i mean he's six goals in three games or four games, I believe, so you know he probably how do you reckon?
00:14:42
Speaker 3: He goes the reckon, he breaks down that defense mate.
00:14:44
Speaker 2: Honestly, Joe I thought mess would be a bit part player in this World Cup and yet he's been just the key man for Argentina. They rested him yesterday, brought him off the bench. They're only leading Jordan by two goals to one. So he just steps up and slaps a free kick in the net and gets another goal. He can do absolutely anything. Now thirty nine years of age, had a birthdate at this tournament. Like for Cape Verdig players to be able to play against him, like what an experience that is for them? One just a bit of World Cup. They're in a knockout stage match and they get to play against lynn On Messi. But it's only going to go one way, I'm afraid.
00:15:16
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they haven't gotten much hope, but you never know. This is this is the World Cup, you know, But you know we have to we have to talk about the keeping as well. Some of these goals that have been going in that Messi has been scoring, don't take away from Messig absolutely amazing talent. I'm not saying that the goals aren't good. But I'm like, sometimes I look at the keeper that that free kick that he scored, I was thinking, oh, hold on a second, on a second, that is a little bit suspect somebodys goalkeepers.
00:15:44
Speaker 3: Man.
00:15:45
Speaker 2: I'm trying to bring back whether the ball's more difficult for the goalkeepers, but there's been some shoddy keeping in this.
00:15:50
Speaker 3: World A weird goalkeeper going on.
00:15:53
Speaker 2: And the mazlair of the Uruguayan goalkeeper, I feel like actually came out of retirement to come into this tournament. He let that in against against not did the liberty, but he should have stopped it. Wasn't a great effort and bounced over his hand and he gets the hook at halftime as well, forty year old goalkeeper, but he should have saved it. And there's been a few where you look at it and you think keepers should have done a lot better. There a lot of times in this World Cup of keepers have been a bit subper Cain.
00:16:17
Speaker 1: You know, he's going a bit quite like in terms of people hyping players up right and talking about them among the goats or whatever and ballandor He's not like people weren't really talking about him in baaland'or conversations, But I would be happy to put Harry Kine in ballandor conversations. At the moment. It's called seventy goals, seven assists in all competitions. That's messy numbers. Messi is one of his best seasons. Is he's up there? So you know, what would you think about Harry Kane for baallendor if you know England make the semi finals and finals and he finishing up on top.
00:16:50
Speaker 2: I'll ask you this, who would you have in your team? Would you go for Harry Kine or killing them Babe or Linel Messi? If you're picking one of the three, who would you go for to lead your line?
00:17:00
Speaker 3: Ah?
00:17:00
Speaker 1: It depends on that. It depends on the circumstance. It depends where what game is, It depends where we are. It depends if you're talking about let's say final of the World Cup, right, and you're probably I'm probably going to take I'm probably going to take mess is a tough one. Yeah, I've got I'm going to take Messi surely.
00:17:23
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:17:24
Speaker 2: But that's the thing, right, You're looking at guys there who can single handedly change the game and they'll do something the moment of magic. Like Messi has just got different level of skills and Buffy's got the skills, but he's got the pace and the physicality and the explosiveness. I love Harry Kane. I think he's probably the best out and out number nine in the world, but he's not changing games on his own. He's got to have He needs do beelling and giving him chances. He needs players. They're creating for him and he'll take the chances. So that's he's so important. And he's in the conversation for the ballon door that he's not the player who wins you matches off his own back necessarily took his chances. He's header against Panama was great, just peels off a defender, finds the space. But you look at the magic of the touch of Bellingham for the first goal, just whipping his foot around in front of some monitor to Nicko ball and he's more key Bellingham is for England's chances at this World Cup than Harry Kane in my mind, because he's the one who's creating. Where's Harry Kane's there to finish things off.
00:18:21
Speaker 1: A massive thanks to Ned Hull for joining US and to you for watching until then. Keep the World Cup takes coming, keep the group chat alive, and we'll see you next time. Oh yeah, and don't forget du they admin for me like follow wherever you get your podcast. Just don't miss an episode. We'll see you guys. Next one's out on Friday. We'll preview the big Soccer US game that's coming up. See you guys on Friday
