Group C Opening Games
So all the waiting was over for Group C who kicked off their World Cup campaigns today; the players had sat through the opening goal fest and the wonderful Iberian derby, also known as the donkey derby. This would have pushed the nerves up to the max and this showed in the the opening half of France V Australia. France out-gun the Socceroos on paper with a front line from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain against a defence supplied by Western Sydney, Grasshopper Club Zurich, Bursaspor and Al-Ahli, but a combination of a nervous France and an organised and resolute Australia resulted in a goalless first half. The French had a few shots from distance that Matt Ryan was more than equal too and they also had a go at the other end too with a goal bound interception from an Aaron Mooy cross which was dealt with by Lloris.
My support of VAR and enjoyment in seeing the Aussies lose, was tested to the limit with the opening penalty, it seemed very harsh to me and I’ve watched it a number of times. The referee indicated there was no foul and was obviously contacted by the ref in the sky, probably after he heard Mark Lawrenson declare twice that it was a great tackle, knowing if the old dinosaur is applauding it, then there must be something to investigate. It made me feel sorry for them when Antoine Griezmann didn’t make a Messi of the penalty.
Before the French could put the game to bed they were up to their old tricks again, but this time Super VAR was around the save the day and Umtiti’s (who shares a name with the pretty Red Indian from the Beano) hand ball in the box was rightly penalised. The spot kick was slotted away by Championship Mile Jedinak.
The deciding goal for the French came in the last ten minutes and it also required confirmation from the tech bods, a clash of feet between Pogba and Behich sent the ball spiralling over Matt Ryan’s head and bouncing back out, but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line, the tech bods will now decided whther it was Pogba’s goal or an own goal.
It was job done for both teams; France got their win and the Aussies did enough to give them hope in the other group games.
Later in the day Peru and Australia took to the field in Saransk. After 36 years of hurt the World Cup was graced with the sash once again. In the last few minutes of the half VAR was once again called upon, but it shouldn’t have been needed as the foul on Cueva was obvious for all to see. Cueva stepped up to answer the prayers of the thousands of Peruvian fans in the ground and back home, but after a strange run up that involved three different styles of running he skied it over the bar.
Early in the second half a defensive error allowed Denmark's Poulsen space in an advanced area, he calmly strode forward with the ball and slotted it home at the near post. The sashettes were determined to give their 40,000 travelling fans something to cheer and pushed forward and they brought out a wonderful save from Schmeichel. They had 17 shots with six on target and Schmeichel was the Danish man of the match, so they might not have got their goal but even the most miserable Peruvian fan would have been happy with that performance. The Danes will be happy if this proves to be the first step in quietly building some momentum.
They will all convene again on Thursday for the middle group game. The shape that this group is in after one game may well reflect the final table but if the Aussies or the Peruvians can nick a draw then it will all be set up for a cracking final game.
My support of VAR and enjoyment in seeing the Aussies lose, was tested to the limit with the opening penalty, it seemed very harsh to me and I’ve watched it a number of times. The referee indicated there was no foul and was obviously contacted by the ref in the sky, probably after he heard Mark Lawrenson declare twice that it was a great tackle, knowing if the old dinosaur is applauding it, then there must be something to investigate. It made me feel sorry for them when Antoine Griezmann didn’t make a Messi of the penalty.
Before the French could put the game to bed they were up to their old tricks again, but this time Super VAR was around the save the day and Umtiti’s (who shares a name with the pretty Red Indian from the Beano) hand ball in the box was rightly penalised. The spot kick was slotted away by Championship Mile Jedinak.
The deciding goal for the French came in the last ten minutes and it also required confirmation from the tech bods, a clash of feet between Pogba and Behich sent the ball spiralling over Matt Ryan’s head and bouncing back out, but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line, the tech bods will now decided whther it was Pogba’s goal or an own goal.
It was job done for both teams; France got their win and the Aussies did enough to give them hope in the other group games.
Later in the day Peru and Australia took to the field in Saransk. After 36 years of hurt the World Cup was graced with the sash once again. In the last few minutes of the half VAR was once again called upon, but it shouldn’t have been needed as the foul on Cueva was obvious for all to see. Cueva stepped up to answer the prayers of the thousands of Peruvian fans in the ground and back home, but after a strange run up that involved three different styles of running he skied it over the bar.
Early in the second half a defensive error allowed Denmark's Poulsen space in an advanced area, he calmly strode forward with the ball and slotted it home at the near post. The sashettes were determined to give their 40,000 travelling fans something to cheer and pushed forward and they brought out a wonderful save from Schmeichel. They had 17 shots with six on target and Schmeichel was the Danish man of the match, so they might not have got their goal but even the most miserable Peruvian fan would have been happy with that performance. The Danes will be happy if this proves to be the first step in quietly building some momentum.
They will all convene again on Thursday for the middle group game. The shape that this group is in after one game may well reflect the final table but if the Aussies or the Peruvians can nick a draw then it will all be set up for a cracking final game.
