England Versus Italy

I am sure by now you all know the team I support when it comes to National team football. If you didn’t know let me spell it out again, “I proudly support the Three Lions of England” and yes we were beaten by Italy in our first group game at the ongoing World Cup holding in Brazil. We were beaten but not disgraced like Spain was. The Netherlands no try at all, how can you annihilate defending champions of the World Cup in that manner?
Back to the crux of this post, I was so proud of England’s display yesterday and I agree with my cohort Big Yomz that this has been our best performance in a tournament since Euro 2004 (remember when Wayne Rooney burst into the limelight?). I must say Roy Hodgson got it wrong by starting Welbeck, I think Adam Lallana would have been a better option. Leighton Baines? Clearly not in the mold of Ashley Cole and I hope Louis Van Gaal doesn’t have plans to sign him. Tuaile Ashley Cole, you are surely missed.
I hate to admit this but Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling both of whom I wouldn’t have put in my starting XI if I was England coach were WORLD CLASS. For players I was expecting to be star struck (playing against Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchiso no be beans) and have a bit of stage fright Henderson and Sterling for me made us tick. The moment Henderson was taken of I sensed trouble, in fact all hope was lost. Bringing on Wilshere when you have a Rickie Lambert on the bench was so so wrong but hey they say the coaches know best, so who am I? Steven Gerard’s performance on the night was appalling, no disrespect to the Liverpool man. In all England played beautiful football last night.
I sincerely hope Welbeck doesn’t start the next game against Uruguay on Thursday and Lallana should be put in the mix. England didn’t deserve scratch that we didn’t deserve to lose to Italy. Andrea Pirlo in one word? No word(s), in Yoruba parlance Pirlo is an ebora, a special being. At 35 he’s still world class, little wonder why Juventus have offered him a 3 year deal. Like I read some where, Pirlo is the moderator of the Italian national team orchestra. He truly is.
My nephew predicted England would lose to the Italians and he even went as far as saying it would end 1-2. Abosbos if I catch you, I will smack your ass….. lol, Uncle Dipo loves you son.
I am not one to support other African teams (Nigeria and Nigeria alone for me) when it comes to the World Cup. Nigeria has to win it first before I can support any other African nation but Ivory Coast impressed me, I shockingly stayed awake (it was played at 2am) to watch the game and I have no regrets whatsoever. I still made it to church if you care to know.  Didier Drogba for me was the reason Ivory Coast beat Japan. The Japs were leading leading 1-0 and the game tilted to the Ivorians favour after Didier ‘Pump Action’ Drogba came on. He didn’t score but he was a massive influence for his team.
My next focus is the Nigeria versus Iran match. I hope the Super Eagles win tomorrow, being a long while Nigeria won a World Cup game. Correct me if I am wrong, the last time the Eagles won a game at the World Cup was in 1998 against Bulgaria. The Bora Milutinovic led side won the game 1-0 just after unbelievably beating Spain 3-2. That was 16 years ago.
Thanks for your time as always guys. Have a BLESSED week, much love.
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