Want five, got four

England U21 4 v Qatar U19 0
Tournoi Maurice Revello, Group A

Played at Stade Parsemain, Fos-Sur-Mer

Friday 1 June 2018

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You'd think.
Four nil.
You'd think that would be a pleasing result wouldn't you?
But, the way this unbalanced three groups into four semi-finalists tournament works. England actually needed to score five to qualify.
You'd think.

All the group days are double headers. So group leaders Mexico kicked off in the afternoon at Stade Parsemain. Their 3-1 win over China left England needing 5-0 to win the group. I'm deliberately Blogging this “in the middle of the night”. Before Saturday's group games. Because England still look to have a great chance of qualifying as the best second placed. First up, Scotland have to better that 4-0 result (v S Korea) to pip us. (Even if they do, we've still got other results that can help us).

Aside - what a marvellously mad Tournament this is. I ain't got the facts to hand. But, not all countries have sent an Under 21 side to what is an Under 21 Tournament. So that's basically been England Under 21 against Qatar Under 19.

Aside - that was a lovely stadium. Aubagne & Salon have been one sider affairs. One seated stand running some, but not all, of the touchline. Luxury - Stade Parsemain has been three sides. A large open seated end - and stands on both sides. All on a massive multi sports complex “with ample car parking”. There was even a rifle range behind the stand the Carrier Bag Firm cleared.

Much pissing around with personnel again. Maybe recognising the situation. I'll say that's five forwards they've started with. Armstrong, Abraham, Nketiah, Nmecha & Pearce. One per goal required. For the most part, the two A’s & Nketiah have simply gone three up top. Ex Sheffield United keeper, now Bournemouth, erstwhile Chesterfield, Aaron Ramsdale has been given the - can't be a hero, only a zero - role betwixt sticks.

Not a great deal to do in the circumstances. Keep it alive & organised. Get the distribution right. Deal with the odd bit of shit coming your way. Great to see the young fella again without a tracksuit on.

The other bloke. Ellethy. In goal for Qatar. He's had it all on. The lot has come at the poor get. He's done himself proud. Save after save. Tipping it over. Collecting crosses. Strong wrist parries. Earned his money tonight.

England started out with a main strategy of - attacking threat from set pieces. Clarke-Salter lumping long throws in. Tom Pearce on the corners. Armstrong on the line. The Big Lads swarming on the pen spot. Once we hadn't scored inside ten, it began to look all a bit samey & uninspiring.

England did have a few chances from crosses. But they didn't look clinical enough in front of goal. If you need five, you've got to be relentless. Wave after wave. Drag 'em this way. And that. After 30 minutes, my notes say “fuck me, long throws, corners, it ain't working, change it up”.

Sighs. On 37. It worked. Pearce corner. Nmecha header. Armstrong interfering. The Qatari bloke has deflected it into OG. And so, England came out a bit more fired up for the second half. Went from - no way will they get five. To - just a matter of time this. It's a Momentum Game. The fourth went in with still Thirteen minutes left. Yeah. Thirteen more minutes of Qatari Keeper Heroics.

Nervously. I toasted that victory, and crossed my fingers for a South Korea rearguard action v The Fleckless Jocks, with;

Brasserie La Bouquine, Sun Is Shining from a bottle at 4.5%. That had “English Bitter” qualities I felt. A little bit of tropical fruit, then straight into a tangy bitterness. It's not rich, nor powerful. But, it's got a lingering kick to it.

I've checked the fridge. That's the last of the Bouquine’s. I bought them direct from the Brewery a lifetime ago, earlier in the trip. Hit & miss, but enjoyable, bunch. The Cerise was a shocker. Some of the others were pleasant enough, but unbalanced. The Black 'Uns were near Belters. Standout was that Back In Black.

669/1382