Wales v Iran

[RVclaret]

Are you assuming England beat the USA? That is brave, history is not on England’s side and the USA will cause England problems.

Very true, surely this World Cup has already given a lesson to some of the ‘more fancied nations’ in how not to approach games against worse teams.

Having said that, if we play how we did against Iran we will have no problems, way too good for them.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Disasterous result for the USA, they need to beat either England or Iran now.

It would be hilarious if Iran were to knock out the USA

[Tribesmen]

So happy to see Iran win today

[AfloatinClaret]

...Page gambled on Ramsey and Bale having a moment of brilliance, and they were completely anonymous...

I do think that Wales might have done better without the 'world class' pair of Bale and Ramsey, the former has looked past his best, the latter well past it.

[tiger76]

Are you assuming England beat the USA? That is brave, history is not on England’s side and the USA will cause England problems.

I take nothing for granted in footy, but if England play anything like we did against Iran we should win reasonably comfortably.

USA played well 1st half against Wales but then run out of gas 2nd half, so it's unlikely they'll be able to maintain their high octane game for the full 90.

[ClaretDiver]

Beat USA tonight and we are through so that means we can weigh up whether to play reserves against Wales. Finishing 2nd behind Iran may be the best route, that will be made clearer by the Wales match. Hard to see Iran getting past us on GD though.

I never understand this….finish second, better route…we still have to beat all the other teams to win….whether it’s next round or the next!

[Stayingup]

Iran v USA. Yes on the football pitch thank goodness. Get John Kerry refereeing and who knows!!!

[Lancasterclaret]

Iran v USA. Yes on the football pitch thank goodness. Get John Kerry refereeing and who knows!!!

Just a shame it clashes with the England match!

[martin_p]

Beat USA tonight and we are through so that means we can weigh up whether to play reserves against Wales. Finishing 2nd behind Iran may be the best route, that will be made clearer by the Wales match. Hard to see Iran getting past us on GD though.

Beat the USA tonight and it’d take a seven goal swing for Iran to finish top on goal difference, which seems unlikely. Safe to say if we do win tonight we’ve won the group.

[Devils_Advocate]

Personally I hope the backward religious zealots get a hammering, so come on Iran!!

[Tall Paul]

I never understand this….finish second, better route…we still have to beat all the other teams to win….whether it’s next round or the next!

Not sure how finishing second gives a better route anyway.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Just a shame it clashes with the England match!

England win tonight and I might just watch USA v Iran instead.

[Buxtonclaret]

Southgate's has excellent history of getting England their best route in tournaments.

It's just the rest of it that hasn't matched up.

[bobinho]

Well at least it will put paid to the tired old “well they’ve never let me down” statements from the manager. To be fair to Page, he’s not the only manager to roll that statement out.

They’ll turn up against England make no mistake. Every single one of em will turn up.

[martin_p]

Well at least it will put paid to the tired old “well they’ve never let me down” statements from the manager. To be fair to Page, he’s not the only manager to roll that statement out.

They’ll turn up against England make no mistake. Every single one of em will turn up.

I think perhaps England’s demolition of Iran had convinced them that turn up was all they needed to do today.

[ClaretDiver]

Not sure how finishing second gives a better route anyway.

That’s what I mean…..it befuddles me that fans believe it does….

[KRBFC]

Not sure how finishing second gives a better route anyway.

Think we'll avoid France in the 1/4 finals, could be wrong and have no idea who the other side we'd likely face is.

[KRBFC]

Well at least it will put paid to the tired old “well they’ve never let me down” statements from the manager. To be fair to Page, he’s not the only manager to roll that statement out.

They’ll turn up against England make no mistake. Every single one of em will turn up.

I thought you weren't watching in protest

[Tall Paul]

Think we'll avoid France in the 1/4 finals, could be wrong and have no idea who the other side we'd likely face is.

Argentina. I know they lost to Saudi Arabia, but they're still a very good side and probably just as difficult opponents.

[Tall Paul]

We'd also probably avoid Brazil and Spain until the final by winning the group.

[Stanbill05]

Well at least it will put paid to the tired old “well they’ve never let me down” statements from the manager. To be fair to Page, he’s not the only manager to roll that statement out.

They’ll turn up against England make no mistake. Every single one of em will turn up.

Not sure Bale and Ramsay have it in the locker to turn up any more. If they play, England will spank them.

[Quicknick]

Delighted with this result. Can't abide the Welsh.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Not sure how finishing second gives a better route anyway.

I wasn’t proposing finishing 2nd in my original post that started this, but saying England can at least give the reserves a go knowing if they do finish 2nd it isn’t the end of the world (cup).

But it may well be that if we do finish 2nd it would be Netherlands then Saudi Arabia or Denmark before a semi, which would be viewed as decent again even if they go out to Brazil or Spain. I’d prefer that to getting France in the quarters.

[Tall Paul]

I wasn’t proposing finishing 2nd in my original post that started this, but saying England can at least give the reserves a go knowing if they do finish 2nd it isn’t the end of the world (cup).

But it may well be that if we do finish 2nd it would be Netherlands then Saudi Arabia or Denmark before a semi, which would be viewed as decent again even if they go out to Brazil or Spain. I’d prefer that to getting France in the quarters.

Argentina are still clear favourites to win their group, despite losing the first game.

[Billy Balfour]

Just watched the brief highlights of this game on the BBC website. Wales were utter rubbish in the second half. Iran were worthy winners.

[boatshed bill]

Well at least it will put paid to the tired old “well they’ve never let me down” statements from the manager. To be fair to Page, he’s not the only manager to roll that statement out.

They’ll turn up against England make no mistake. Every single one of em will turn up.

Except Hennessey

[Stayingup]

Personally I hope the backward religious zealots get a hammering, so come on Iran!!

From what I hear these zealots have a big shock coming in any case. Yes play up Iran.

[Dyched]

Awful game management. They never looked like scoring with 11 never mind 10. Make changes, hang on for the point and place yourself second a point ahead of both Iran and (likely) USA going into the final game. Avoiding a drubbing off England just might have got them through.

[Stubsy]

I thought you weren't watching in protest

[AfloatinClaret]

The biggest disappointment about the game was due to the BBC covering the match.

If that game had been on ITV it would've been a classic of entertainment, or at least the soundtrack to it would; just imagine John Hartson as co-conmentator, he would have had a complete melt down