Comments on: PWC14 Semi-Final: England v Iran https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran Lollards in the high church of low culture Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:23:10 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 By: wichitalineman https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401855 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:23:10 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401855 Well done England. A late comeback sunk the gallant Iranians, who now feel an unlikely empathy with Hull City fans.

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By: Ronald https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401310 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 20:35:04 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401310 You can’t let comments get to you. Thank you for your support!

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By: lartsaegis https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401180 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:52:20 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401180 Just about the right result. See you in the 3rd place game, Iran! England might be going home if they show up like this against Nigeria. Sort it out and sortie.

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By: lonepilgrim https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401163 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:27:08 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401163 it’s coming home…

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By: Alan not logged in https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401080 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 14:45:13 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401080 So farsi, not so goodi

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By: jeff w https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1401074 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 14:28:50 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1401074 …but no, a brace from the midfield dynamo sees England through 2-1. “We may have lost the semifinal, but Iranian pop was a big winner”, a philosophical Rai said afterwards. England now praying for a Russian linesperson for the final.

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By: Ed https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1399610 Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:56:59 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1399610 Semis are the cruellest games: the gap between success and failure is wider here than in any other round, and as Lonepilgrm suggests @9, you can feel the pressure taking its toll on both sides.

We’ll need the manager’s tell-all memoir to explain what’s going on in the England camp here, but for them this is an Italia ’90-scale tactical shift. After storming success with R&B and dance-focused line-ups, England surprise everyone by coming out with a shock use of the indie formation, which has not been terribly successful for other teams in earlier rounds in this contest.

To be fair, it’s not quite such route one guitar rock as some of the pre-match build-up and in-game commentary had me thinking, but even so it’s a huge gamble, I think.

As others have noted, Iran are not quite on their top form here, either. For me, though, their sly early goal is enough to nick it for them.

Exit England, to Yannis Philippakis’s tears.

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By: lonepilgrim https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1398775 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 22:24:28 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1398775 some performance anxiety from both teams – both lucky that their opponents aren’t really pressing the advantage – this will probably go to penalties.

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By: jeff w https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1397357 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:54:02 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1397357 I think I’m watching a different game to many of the other commentators. Some Rai and Some Persian Empire going in exactly the direction I said after the quarters I wanted Iran to go. If we must have subtle electronica, then this is the way to execute those tactics. England are OK but unspectacular.

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By: Chelovek na lune https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1396550 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:27:02 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1396550 Bit annoyed by this game, to be honest, as Iran have, with Croatia and Chile, been among my favourite teams in this tournament. The performance this time, though, just doesn’t cut the mustard. Too damn lazy, all defend, no attack, and, unusually, after some of their earlier games, forgets that the one way to beat them is to go round the back.

As for the other team….well, there is always the belligerent Glaswegian side of my character to take account of….but, still, I have frankly not been wildly impressed with the England team’s performance, in all but one of the games, I think (art imitating life, no doubt). Granted being the manager and making selections for this team can’t be the easiest job….but, still, I think here, after a rather scrappy game, I think they narrowly nudge a hesitant victory, but hardly in such a way as to set the world on fire. I bet, given their record, they are mighty relieved it didn’t go to penalties – but it seems like a close run thing.

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By: katstevens https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1396465 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:02:28 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1396465 Agreed, Garry – I fear leaving some of their Sheffield-based players at home will come back to haunt the gaffer!

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By: Garry https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1396081 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 09:13:52 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1396081 Gee – England really plod here. It’s safe, it’s predictable and could have come from any tournament in the previous decade. A pity my attention kept gliding away from the pitch to the match day program.

Iran seem to have immersed themselves in German techno tactics with an additional training session by Matthew Herbert. This doesn’t make the tactics revolutionary but the team is nimble and glide around the static English defense.

A vote for Iran , not least because with the resources England have on the bench they should have nailed this.

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By: lartsaegis https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1395826 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 02:20:35 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1395826 I dunno about this game, Iran are looking like they’ve officially run out of magic along the 2nd half while England are looking a little standard and shy at the semi finals. I’m throwing my bid in for England but if they want to beat Nigeria, they’re gonna have to bring more heat than this humid reverb I’m hearing.

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By: thefatgit https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1395517 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 19:49:54 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1395517 I must admit I have a soft spot for Foals. I’m a big fan of “Spanish Sahara” which fits the classic semi-final tactic of beginning cautiously, but as the match progresses, they pile on the pressure until it culminates in a shimmering waterfall of Beautiful Game, but instead we have “My Number” which is a perfectly serviceable example of route-one indie, but conservative in front of an unpredictable Iran. Their striker seems preoccupied with making sure the ref hadn’t booked him, early doors.

Persian Empire, on the other hand, go for the kill early. Their manager surely wants this match done and dusted before the half-time whistle, when it becomes apparent that Iran do not have a plan B, as such. Too soon to tell how this one will end.

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By: Matt DC https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1395380 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:06:01 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1395380 A poor selection from England I fear – this is one of Foals’ better efforts, and there are hooks everywhere, but as soon as the singer gets a shot of a high note it’s the musical equivalent of ballooning into row Z. I’m leaning towards Iran’s more subtle play here, but only time will tell.

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/pop-world-cup-2014/2014/06/pwc14-semi-final-england-v-iran/comment-page-1#comment-1395328 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 14:46:39 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=27534#comment-1395328 Who would have imagined, back when I wrote a rather harsh scouting report on Foals’ debut for Pitchside Media, that they’d be representing their nation in a Pop World Cup semi-final? They’ve certainly improved since then but I think my assessment of their strengths and weaknesses was pretty fair – a good technical game but a little weak in front of goal. Plenty of running in this side, shots coming in from odd angles, a positive approach – but is this a game too far for this England squad?

If so they’re not the only side with heavy legs. Iran’s tactics in this tournament have relied on their economy of effort – a sensible strategy in the punishing Brazilian heat – but Persian Empire are taking it particularly far. The manager’s team talk is absolutely right – some gorgeous play at the outset building anticipation for more, but instead we have a second half of languid tiki-taka. When the track started I thought Iran had England at their mercy here, but by its end I really wasn’t so sure.

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