SWEDEN v ENGLAND – SAMARA – WORLD CUP 2018

So I’m still World Cup blogging on here also, that means England are still in the tournament. This Saturday (7th July) its Sweden in Samara. I make no bones about it, their victory (twice really after Colombia’s stoppage time equaliser) was another huge result, the fact it was on penalties makes it even more of a bonus. Minimum objective (on paper) has now been achieved and lets be honest England have never had a better opportunity to reach a major tournament final than this, probably in their whole history. But buyer beware – they have won NOTHING yet and to be fair the manager Gareth ‘GS’ Southgate and squad are fully aware of this and will not in the slightest be underestimating any potential opponents, due diligence will be taken.

INTIMIDATION

Colombia’s initial tactics were pretty basic. Intimidate, foul, niggle, unfortunately the officiating was weak and it was like they knew what to expect from American referee, Mark Geiger. England stood up to this (apart from the one lapse) and deservedly took the lead with a penalty, to be fair a good spot from the ref. Suddenly the South Americans decided to start playing a bit of football and got a foothold. Cuadrado had a glorious opportunity to equalise but blazed over, it looked like their chance had gone, but as we know, they equalised at the death before extra time and then penalties. Jose Pekerman’s men were in control of the shootout but missing their last two kicks proved their undoing and the Three Lions held their nerve to finish the job. Probably the right result over the whole game, but its a bit of a lottery at that stage and it was England’s turn to win in such dramatic circumstances – phew!

OPTIONS

Southgate reverted to the team that started against Tunisia in England’s first game and they played well, but were given a rough ride by a team intent on being very physical and treading a fine line with the laws, regularly going over them as well. They played long into the night on Tuesday (the end of penalties would have been close to midnight) and with only three full days until the quarter final this Saturday, there will be some tired (and battered and bruised) bodies. I can see maybe a couple of changes just to freshen the team up. Kyle Walker did go off late in extra time limping, but it was for a penalty taker in Marcus Rashford and possibly Dele Alli may have had a reoccurrence of his thigh injury from the first match. Ashley Young was also subbed and Danny Rose made a good impression in his time on the pitch as did Eric Dier to stiffen up the midfield, something that may be needed against a side that can be aggressive in the that area if need be. One thing is for sure the options are there for ‘GS’

SWEDEN

Here’s a list of teams Sweden have bested since the qualification campaign began way back in 2016 to get this far, Holland, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland and they also beat France in their qualifying group as well, not too shabby. They will be a tough nut to crack, the now vanquished Germans needed a 95th minute last kick winner to beat them and they only got that close because of individual errors made by the Swede’s. We know what to expect solid, strong, team ethic to the max, which for me means do not underestimate and have zero arrogance because they love to get one over teams that think they will get an easy ride. They are beatable, but they can also beat whoever is put in front of them. Be ready for a tough physical test from a honest side and in my opinion  the team as we stand that have provided the most value added in this tournament.

PREDICTION

This can go one of two ways, England buoyed by their victory could go in with the utmost confidence and perform on adrenalin to beat their European counterparts. It could also go the way that everything was taken out of them last Tuesday against Colombia, especially with the relief of winning a first tournament penalty shootout for 22 years. Sweden as mentioned will not be easy, they will prey on the latter thoughts and make sure England are tested physically and mentally.  I don’t think anybody would argue that England have more quality in their side and I think a shuffling of the pack from the English will help the team and a victory will be the result. I can actually see a strong start, a goal then having to deal with intense pressure from their opponents before a sucker punch break away to extend the lead, so for me, 0-2 to England and a first World Cup semi-final since 1990. Well hopefully.

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