Rattin's gonna Rattin

England U20 3 v Argentina U20 0

FIFA U20 World Cup, Group A

Played at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, South Korea

Saturday 20 May 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

6 Korean Beer Ticks

Dom’s Done That.

It's a FIFA Tournament. I'm at it. A reminder. I'm supporting two teams. England. And whoever is knocking the Hosts out. Nothing against my Korean brothers. Complain to FIFA. They made you hosts. I want you out.

The Backcloth

When I did a few of my look aheads in 2016, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a United player. Louis Reed was in the England 20s. Aaron Ramsdale was a United player. He was in the England 19s. Harrison Chapman was with us on loan. He's in the England 20s. If things had turned out “differently”, Dom might have stayed. Chapman might have signed. Louis might have pushed on. And, even Ramsdale might have been third keeper. Four Sheffield United players in a FIFA U20 World Cup. Not to be. Dom’s gone. Chapman's gone (back). But, both are out here in Korea. Ramsdale has gone - and I'd expect he'll go with the U19s to their EUROs in Georgia. Reed languishes.

And to Cap it all, it's pukka SUFC Starlet David Brooks who'll be with the England U20s. In the South Of France. While I'm on patrol here in Korea.

The Drinkeypoos

Reliable info on pubs, breweries & beers is a little hard to come by in Korea. I'm already into the beers which have no description in English. That is, nothing using the A to Z alphabet.

Is this Brewery independent?
Is this Pub in a chain?
Google it.
Crack on.

The Bronx Craft Beer Pub. Pretty sure that's a burgeoning chain. Neat set up. If you want serving, you ring a buzzer on your table. Gotta love that. Beers on the list from three breweries

Trevier Brewing Co. From Google, that is essentially brewed at a BrewPub in Ulsan.
Ka-Brew. From Google, a MicroBrewery in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Oktoberfest. From Google, a MicroBrewery in Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Trevier, Pale Ale on keg at 5%
Kabrew, Wit on keg at 5%
Oktoberfest, Helles on keg at 5%
Oktoberfest, WeissBock on keg at 7.5%

That Trevier Pale was an absolute belter. Orange upfront. Full of flavour. Bitter in the finish.

Beer in the ground KLAXON

But, before that, Local Colour. No pies. No burgers. But, don't mither. You could fall back on a) whole dried squid or b) dried flatfish. Nothing fancy. No box. No pastry. Just literally a whole dried squid. What? Too chewy for you mate? Whack it in the microwave for 60 secs to soften the fucker up.

There were large cans of Budweiser. Or slightly smaller cans of Cass Fresh at 4.5%. You could sit at a table and watch SquidGate. Or, be civilised, and take it to your seat. I had it, I'm ticking it.

(I'd had hite Extra Cold from a tin at 4.3% on the plane)

Video Assistant Referee

Hands up who remembers Rattin. Alf Ramsey. Animals. I've lived through DRS in cricket. I always come back to the same place. It's mental if the only person in the stadium/TV land who doesn't know it's the wrong decision is the Ref/Ump. Somewhere. Somehow. Sometime. Video Assistance to the Ref is coming. A full trial at this tournament. It's a game changer. Why argue fella? We've seen it on the Box.

Here's how I saw it. Tomori goes down in a heap on our right. Play continues. In fact, the ball goes out for an Argentinian corner. While Tomori is being checked for concussion, the officials confer on the Walkie Talkie. Upshot is the Ref goes to the tunnel. Has a look. Red card. Bring the ball back from the corner. Free kick to the Young Lions. Rattin’s mob Rattin a bit. But. Where are you going with this mate? He's seen it on the box.

If I was Chief Shouter in the England dressing room. Here's the Mantra.

“Don't raise your arms, or swing an elbow at anybody. It's different now. It will be seen. We will go down to ten. You will have fucked it”

“Do not dive. The ref will have a look on the Gogglebox. You will not get away with it. He'll be pissed off. And book you, at least”

Gotta be a set of good things.

Dom. Dom. Dom. Argentina were all over us first off. It looked like we were desperate to keep our shape. Just we hadn't looked at the pattern on the lid. We didn't know what the shape was supposed to be. Adams, the 9, was isolated & Argentina could just pass out from the back through, round, behind him. Solanke had some sort of roving role. DCL was deep on the left. Providing defensive cover at times. But, him & his full back were getting mullered.

It looked worse than it was. England were keeping the Argies to poor long range shots. Not much possession. But. Slowly. Slowly. Until Boom. Dom has put a bullet header away to make it a) one nil & b) ALL WORTH IT. Later on, he's tracking back & shepherding it out for a goalkick.

Loved it.

480/1005