Russia v Saudi Arabia - Match Thread

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Lovely composure to flick it up over the defenders there. 

[ScouseFox]

haha these are rubbish 

[Kitchandro]

Russia aren’t much good but they’re chasing around a lot, winning the ball in good positions.

 

Saudi Arabia have tried to play through them but they just don’t have the quality at all.

[Fox in the North]

Are Saudi Arabia even trying? 

[StanSP]

Just now, Fox in the North said:

Are Saudi Arabia even trying? 

they are, they just don't have much quality anywhere on the pitch to pull off whatever they're trying.

[Brooksy]

Proper Leicester defending that

[CosbehFox]

So so so so so so naive are Saudi Arabia. Trying to be open and possession based when they can’t do it. 

[Fox in the North]

1 minute ago, StanSP said:

they are, they just don't have much quality anywhere on the pitch to pull off whatever they're trying.

I understand the lack of quality in attack, but the lack of energy and vast open spaces when they try to defend just seems so easy for a team of Russia’s ‘quality’.

[MC Prussian]

Can we replace Saudia Arabia with Syria for the last two matches in this group?

At least Syria would put up a fight.*

 

 

 

* No pun intended.

[Dan]

Saudi Arabia do try and get the ball down and play but they're just not really capable of it. They'll get absolutely eaten alive by Uruguay if they play like this.

 

Easy one for Russia. Can't see them chucking this.

[CosbehFox]

31 minutes ago, TheUltimateWinner said:

And that is the problem with linos being told to keep their flags down for tight calls...

 

Shit like that will still get missed 

It’s not just that. There was a genuine chance of an injury as the defending came last ditch. 

[whoareyaaa]

shocking team Saudi are

[NewEnglandFox]

Russia really taking advantage of Ramadan here playing the Saudis on the last night in the city with the shortest night to try to eek out the win.

[StanSP]

8 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

It’s not just that. There was a genuine chance of an injury as the defending came last ditch. 

sorry but there's genuine chances of injury at any point during the match whether VAR is involved or not. 

[KingsX]

This group will come down to goal diff against the Saudis.  For those sticking around to watch them for another 45 minutes, I offer this episode of “Separated at Birth”.  (I'm off to the US Open)

 

     +     

 

    +    

 

[MC Prussian]

4 minutes ago, NewEnglandFox said:

Russia really taking advantage of Ramadan here playing the Saudis on the last night in the city with the shortest night to try to eek out the win.

Professional athletes can be excused from following the ritual, either fully or in parts.

 

No excuses for that disjointed performance in the first half.

[Mrfox452]

9 minutes ago, NewEnglandFox said:

Russia really taking advantage of Ramadan here playing the Saudis on the last night in the city with the shortest night to try to eek out the win.

Has it been confirmed they are fasting?

[the fox]

Saudi Arabia's players are passing without even looking at who they are passing to 

[the fox]

Much better now!

[the fox]

Watch number 19. He lives up to his name (which means the cheetah)

He's just 24-years old IIRC

Edited 14 June 2018 by the fox

[Trav Le Bleu]

What's that horrendous font ITV are using for the substitutions? Is that supposed to look Russian or just illegible?

[the fox]

Usually, you can see who the more organized team by the way they dominant ball recoveries. Every stray ball seems to go to Russia.

 

Edit: just ball-watching there

Edited 14 June 2018 by the fox

[MC Prussian]

Saudi Arabia with 0 goals in three group stage matches?

 

Russia aren't even playing well enough, still manage to score three past one of the worst defensive lines I've ever seen at a World Cup.

[CosbehFox]

38 minutes ago, StanSP said:

sorry but there's genuine chances of injury at any point during the match whether VAR is involved or not. 

But if the offside flag went up, it stops the cross and stops the players all diving in for a last ditch challenges 

[whoareyaaa]

game feels like its been on for hours