It had been another rainy day in Philadelphia but that didn’t spoil the party. Sixty-eight thousand people in ponchos were still able to enjoy an intriguing contest defined by cracking goals, and one where both teams left the field happy. For Croatia, there was second place in Group L and a reminder that they remain a serious team. For Ghana, there was progress to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010 and even some full-throttle attacking, for a few minutes at least. There were questions over what incentive either team would have to give their all. A goalless draw appeared to give each a good chance of progression through Fifa’s intricate qualification matrix. Croatia would have finished third, but with a potentially preferable route, Ghana would have finished in second place behind England. It would have been a nice and cosy settlement; but Croatia weren’t up for it. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/lQiN76j via IFTTT
When it comes to the back end of May and West Ham reflect on the season that was, there is every chance that this soggy Saturday will go down as a missed opportunity that proved decisive in their survival plight.
Victory here would have raised the possibility of Nuno Espírito Santo’s side ending the weekend out of the relegation zone for the first time since early December. In keeping with those over recent weeks, much of the performance was befitting of another three points. But, thanks to a couple of smart Djordje Petrovic saves and some profligacy in front of goal, the hosts had to make do with a draw – an expected goals (xG) total of 2.87 from 20 shots yielding a blank in the only column that matters.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/A9tWsRS
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment