Earlier in the week I wrote about how to win against more resourceful rivals, using the success Croatia and Morocco had against the likes of Brazil, Spain and Portugal as examples. In short: never break your organisational discipline, make opponents work very hard for their chances and don’t ever get caught on the counterattack.
Last night was the classic rope-a-dope by Argentina. They conceded the majority of possession, luring Croatia forward. This created space for counterattacks which led to the opening two goals. The third goal was one of the World Cup all time greats, but by then Croatia were on the deck.
Having eliminated Brazil, perhaps Croatia believed they could take the game to Argentina. Had they stuck to the gameplan which served them so well, they may be in Sunday’s final. Unfortunately, the World Cup comes only every four years and key players in the Croatia side will not be as effective next time around (or even there, in the case of Modric). Their chance, this time and forever, is gone.
As I watched the game and listened to Ally McCoist last night, I thought back almost 30 years to him being interviewed after Rangers failed to beat CSKA Moscow. Rangers and Marseille were level on points going into the final Champions League group stage game, Rangers were at home, Marseille were away to Brugge. The tournament format was very different, winners of the two group qualified for the final. Kids, you have no idea what living in Scotland was like for a few months back then.
With home advantage, they were actual favourites to reach the final, but they failed to score while Marseille won. McCoist was distraught and I remember my Dad saying “He knows, this was his only chance”. You can wait a lifetime for a single opportunity to over-achieve in the game.
Football is harsh. It produces many more losers than winners. To become the latter, there can be no compromise. When we have an elite coach, and outstanding scouting system and several elite players, a window might briefly open. Play like we are serious about winning. Marseille won that final, not that we cared by then.
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wait till the daily mail finds out that the striking rail workers are using their down days to ferry migrants across the channel and not only killed christmas but started the immigration crisis
Morocco playing some very nice football.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 14TH DECEMBER 2022 6:26 PM
I know it’s petty but does anyone else find Beale’s accent very aggravating?
I find it kind of Danny Dyer level aggresive wide boy on the fruit and veg barrow up the old kent road guvnor type shite,
He turned up for that announcment unshavem in an ill fitting suit, spouting guff about standards, he looked a jnick.
I will repeat , he drops points in any game before 2nd January the knives will be out,
this optimism they have, the brains behind gerrard, the mastermind of their first title, the tactical nounce to outsmart Ange.
it is a lot of media hype shite.
Spectacular overhead effort, off the post for Morocco.
Alan Shearer still harping on about his country’s exit.How they could have went on and won the trophy blah! Blah! Blah! Jesus if France had lost, it would have been unbearable.
Mbappe needs to ditch the Neymar act,and get the finger out
Amrabat is 1.83 metres
2-0
French sub scores after being on the park for less than a minute.
2-0 great goal
HH
Better team won.
BBC studio like a wake – ragin’ that France are through LOL
Did a post from FOURSTONECOPPI go missing just now…..
ERNIE LYNCH
Hi Ernie, I know we only spoke on occasions, I hope all is well with you and your family. 😀😀😀 HH
Congratulations France.
I do not tend to post political stuff, no apologies.
https://youtu.be/Gljtvwhcdhc
nite all.
Brian
WEEFRATHETIM on 14TH DECEMBER 2022 9:00 PM
All well thanks.
Well done France
Nae luck Morocco,risky start injury wise with selection.
I suppose a future ponder is if the 3 had been fit.alas that’s football:-)
Roll on Saturday and our game .
=====
Tontine,
Thanks for your post earlier Magic.
Reading Ian McCallums early history’s again
It covers the early players,characters and Glasgow Irish from our founding through to those lost in WW1.
I would hint at them for Santa,:-)
https://twitter.com/ianmccallum55?t=vNHuWYDizulm_dV569Rt5Q&s=09
HH
Tough on Morocco tonight but they’ve been brilliant throughout.
Better team won.
Danny Murphy’s bitterness towards France was palpable.
An T
The Mccallum books I have read have been excellent….. still to read the ‘end of innocence’ and hoping to get the ‘blood sacrifice’ for Xmas.
Ernie
Re your earlier comment about ‘deferential’
Would you care to explain what you meant ?
Apologies if you already have done
Hello again all you young rebels
From a hopefully warming up Melbourne peninsula this weekend.
Just in time for our Celtic Christmas fest down in rebel town..
Can’t wait to sing our songs, and see the bhoys in action as well
when this World Cup is over.
BIG JIMMY
Sorry about the late reply from previous blog.
All good here, PADDYMACOZ as usual working hard to make our
Celtic Sundays even bigger and better, don’t know how he does it
after all his recent health scares, but that’s an old bare knuckle
boxer for you.
Other younger members stepping forward now, joining the
committee and helping out with all the tasks that come with
running a CSC.
Obviously the Oz Celtic diaspora have had a massive boost with
the bhoys visit to these shores down under.
Also it’s great to see WEE FRA a poster from way back on CQN
I realise your very down fhella after the loss of your good lady,
you’re amongst family , so keep it lit.
H H. Mick
Is there an `official` release from Sevco re Brown brogues etc?
Or, was it just from Barry Fergusson`s column in the a `paper ?
HS- sounds like Mick Bassett ddesperately trying to get the hun hordes onside….
HOT SMOKED
HI mhate
When you say “ a paper “
Do you mean arsepaper, arsehole paper or another ?
H H. Mick
G’day Mick hope you have a great Rhebel weekend, I was thinking earlier about our trip to Oz when we met up and realised I haven’t seen another old CQN’R from down under posting for a while , Willie Fernie was his blog name , E and I met up with him in Rosie O ‘ Grady’s in Perth , I wonder if he’s still to the fore ?
!!BADA BING!! on 14TH DECEMBER 2022 10:41 PM
Indeed but I wondered if it is true.
MELBOURNE MICK on 14TH DECEMBER 2022 10:44 PM
Take your pick.Those are perfect descriptions of the media in Scotland !
Anyway, it`s a cheerio from me so
Goodnight all.
PARK ROAD 67
I remember that poster, and others from Perth, haven’t been
over that way for a while.
I believe the CSC there have moved to another pub, so hopefully,
and all being well, I’ll manage another visit, and who knows ? I
might meet up with them.
It was quite funny in Sydney, walking along Circular Quay, and
people I hadn’t seen for years, shouting out…Mick.. Mick.
Of course half the crowd turned round 🤣
H H. Mick
WEEFRATHETIM
Good to see you posting 👍💚
Burnley 78
Worthy reading indeed B78.
I met Neil at Celtic Park he was telling me one of the series of books,- The Blood Savrifice is now out of print,and was hoping to reprint.2nd edition.of it. I see since our meeting he now has them on sale at the shop.As you say fascinating stuff set in the context of the times.
Looking forward to Saturday first and our victory,that’s our final before I can relax watching a Messi victory.
HH
MELBOURNEMICK
Thank you so much for that Mick. I most certainly will do my best to keep it lit. It’s brilliant to know the Celtic family are there. I sincerely hope you all connected to you, are all in wonderful condition. HH my friend. YNWA
PARK ROAD 67
Thank you my friend. It’s brilliant being among my most favourite people. HH
Copyright on keep it lit.
-))/
I demand a users fee
Nite nite all. HH
SAINT STIVS
IOU copious amounts of Guinness.
Usersfeesareus. 😜
H H. Mick
Cannot sleep got up thinking sit downstairs for a while so as not to disturb mrsDavid66.
Feckin freezin.
Insomniacsc
D :(
PARK ROAD 67 on 14TH DECEMBER 2022 10:47 PM
That mention of Willie Fernie made me recall his son Andy, who I went to primary school with.
Nice lad, often smiling, tidy wee player but most memorably always turned out like a true little gentleman; in particular with a glossily Brylcreemed side shed.
Even when most of us were aspiring to longer locks, Andy’s bonce was almost militarily clipped and shining.
Think he went on the Busby/Sham supporters bus..? Good memories.
Mick: Get this weegie-like weather to faark!!!
ME v The Bookies…
World Cup Semi Final with France winning 2 -0 against Morrocco.
My Bet was for a Correct Score of 3 – 0 for France.
NO Matter.
LOL
HH
HITTING the CROSSBAR….AGAIN !
I had FOUR Horse selections yesterday.
One Horse finished a VERY close 3rd @ 9/4 FAV.
However, the other THREE ALL Won at Odds of 14/1, 5/2, and 11/8.
Along with the 14/1 Winner, I also had the FORECAST come up, as my Favourite FLAT Trainer saddled the 1st and also the 2nd. the winner was the ” Outsider” of the Two.
The Winner won at odds of 15/2…but I had taken the EARLY PRICE of 14/1.
I didnt know the horse results until I got home from the Pub, as I deliberately avoided all the Horse Results when I was in the Pub.
So, I had a very nice surprise when I checked the results once I was home.
I have ALSO backed the 14/1 Winner from yesterday along with TWO other Horses Today….IF the Race meetings ” GO AHEAD” ? The Two other Horses that I am waiting for Today are ALSO from the SAME TRAINER/STABLE as the 14/1 winner yesterday.
I hope the Horses do run, but there INSPECTIONS of the courses at 7.30am due to the Cold Weather.
HH