Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Sunday 20th November
Qatar 16:00 Ecuador

Monday 21st November
England 13:00 Iran
Senegal 16:00 Netherlands
United States of America 19:00 Wales

Tuesday 22nd November
Argentina 10:00 Saudi Arabia
Denmark 13:00 Tunisia
Mexico 16:00 Poland
France 19:00 Australia

Wednesday 23rd November
Morocco 10:00 Croatia
Germany 13:00 Japan
Spain 16:00 Costa Rica
Belgium 19:00 Canada

Thursday 24th November
Switzerland 10:00 Cameroon
Uruguay 13:00 Korea Republic
Portugal 16:00 Ghana
Brazil 19:00 Serbia

Friday 25th November
Wales 10:00 Iran
Qatar 13:00 Senegal
Netherlands 16:00 Ecuador
England 19:00 United States of America

Saturday 26th November
Tunisia 10:00 Australia
Poland 13:00 Saudi Arabia
France 16:00 Denmark
Argentina 19:00 Mexico

Sunday 27th November
Japan 10:00 Costa Rica
Belgium 13:00 Morocco
Croatia 16:00 Canada
Spain 19:00 Germany

Monday 28th November
Cameroon 10:00 Serbia
Korea Republic 13:00 Ghana
Brazil 16:00 Switzerland
Portugal 19:00 Uruguay

Tuesday 29th November
Ecuador 15:00 Senegal
Netherlands 15:00 Qatar
Iran 19:00 United States of America
Wales 19:00 England

Wednesday 30th November
Australia 15:00 Denmark
Tunisia 15:00 France
Poland 19:00 Argentina
Saudi Arabia 19:00 Mexico

Thursday 1st December
Canada 15:00 Morocco
Croatia 15:00 Belgium
Costa Rica 19:00 Germany
Japan 19:00 Spain

Friday 2nd December
Ghana 15:00 Uruguay
Korea Republic 15:00 Portugal
Cameroon 19:00 Brazil
Serbia 19:00 Switzerland

Saturday 3rd December
Group A Winner 15:00 Group B Second Place
Group C Winner 19:00 Group D Second Place

Sunday 4th December
Group D Winner 15:00 Group C Second Place
Group B Winner 19:00 Group A Second Place

Monday 5th December
Group E Winner 15:00 Group F Second Place
Group G Winner 19:00 Group H Second Place

Tuesday 6th December
Group F Winner 15:00 Group E Second Place
Group H Winner 19:00 Group G Second Place

Friday 9th December
Round of sixteen 5 Winner 15:00 Round of sixteen 6 Winner
Round of sixteen 1 Winner 19:00 Round of sixteen 2 Winner

Saturday 10th December
Round of sixteen 7 Winner 15:00 Round of sixteen 8 Winner
Round of sixteen 3 Winner 19:00 Round of sixteen 4 Winner

Tuesday 13th December
Quarter-Final 1 Winner 19:00 Quarter-Final 2 Winner

Wednesday 14th December
Quarter-Final 3 Winner 19:00 Quarter-Final 4 Winner

Saturday 17th December
Semi-Final 1 Loser 15:00 Semi-Final 2 Loser

Sunday 18th December
Semi-Final 1 Winner 15:00 Semi-Final 2 Winner

Southgate names his 26 man squad

full of old faces, out of form and unfit players. If you've played more than a few hours of football this season, then unless you're Harry Kane you probably aren't in the squad

Maddison, Wilson and Rashford do make the squad though. Wilson as cover should Kane get injured, Maddison to come on in the 80th minute as a desperate last ditch attempt to avoid an embarrassing round of 16 defeat to a footballing minnow and Rashford to come on to take a penalty in that last 16 match

Sounds familiar

Potter for England!

I don't have a problem with his squad. Maybe Toney for Gallagher as Toney will offer something different off the bench. It's his first XI which will cause talk.

As for the rest. Brazil's squad is obviously a good one. Have Belgium peaked already, can the Germans rebound from the last Euros and World Cup? Dark horses? the Dutch, Portugal, who knows.

I agree with selecting Toney over Gallagher. Too many midfielders and not enough genuine strikers.

I think Argentina look very good.

Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0.

did anyone watch it?

By all accounts the stands were half empty from half time.

England start the campaign tonight. I'm finding it hard to care, and kinda trying to avoid the cup on principle given the issues about Qatar, but I expect I'll be sucked in at some point if England do go on another decent run.

The cynic in me expects England's usual mediocre start to tournaments piling all the pressure onto the game v Wales. I'm predicting 1-1.

While acknowledging that Qatar has problems, its hard to split what is valid criticism of the country from the right wing press just having a free reign on Islamophobia.

Like the sheer amount of articles bemoaning the fact that supporters wont be able to get boozed up - who flaming cares. Its a strict Muslim country, if people had any misconception they'd be ripping into beers in the Sun free and openly, then they are stupid. I seen an article for instance about a British guy walking 10 km's to find a pint. If you cant lay off the booze for a few days, and have to walk 3 hours in 32 degree heat for one, then maybe you have a problem.

My social media feed is composed entirely of DM and Daily Express articles claiming some form of outrage going on. The other day, it said it was outrageous that people were voluntarily queuing for a fan park for a long time, in the sun, without water. Apparently an outrage without compare. Is it the responsibility of a government to make sure people hydrate when its hot? Queuing for big events doesnt happen elsewhere?

As for the football, the first match was always going to be one of the worst in the tournament, and it didnt disappoint.

Ecuador slaughtered Qatar for 30 minutes, then decided to rest up. Not even one of the most bemusing VAR decisions of all time could save a woeful Qatar side from losing.

Got the feeling Ecuador will live to regret going easy. With Holland and Senegal in the group, it wouldnt be a surprise if goal difference plays a factor at the end. Should have gone out to bag as many as possible, not sit back messing around at 2-0.

I also find this seeming reliance on alcohol utterly incomprehensible. Why it's so important to people, I have no idea


I might not even watch the England game. I have a feeling it's going to be grim

I can already see the 5 at the back with 2 holding midfielders lining up against the mighty Iran

4-3-3 apaprently.

Should create a few chances and hopefully take them.

Gingerfinch wrote:4-3-3 apaprently.

Should create a few chances and hopefully take them.

Sterling over Foden

Maguire to start

Has Gary watched football in 2022?

Walker over Trippier

1 hour Phillips over star of the season Maddison

Durhamfootman wrote:Walker over Trippier

1 hour Phillips over star of the season Maddison

Maddison is injured. But so was Walker