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World Cup Preview: Day 11

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Sat 23 Jun 2018
Posted in News

World Cup Day 10 didn’tย disappoint now did it! Belgium battered the Tunisians, Germany just managed a win and Chicharito hit the 50 goal milestone. The fun doesn’tย stop there with some tasty games lined up for day 11.

Match 1: Englandย Vs. Panama- 13:00 K.O.

After Belgium’s big win against Tunisia, England need to secure 3 points in this one to challenge for that top spot. Opposition such as Panama shouldn’tย be too much trouble for Southgate’s free-flowing England team. Should it?ย  you can never be too sure with Englandย though and they’llย need to keep calm and level headed against what could be very frustrating opposition.

Dele Alli has returned to training after his knock in the opener but is not expected to start the game. It’ll be interesting to see who starts the game with Loftus-Cheek replacing Alli in the last match, even thoughย Delph got stripped off and ready to come on. Fans will also be curious to see if sterling has retained his starting berth after the ‘leaked team sheet’ in midweek. While there are many calls to drop him for Rashford, it may be wise to keep him in against Panamaย as it could be a vital confidence boost.

Match Facts*:

The game will be covered on BBC 1 from 12:30

  • England have only won their opening two games at a World Cup twice before, in 1982 and 2006.
  • The Three Lions’ 2-1 win over Tunisia was the first time they had scored more than once in a World Cup match since a 2-2 draw with Sweden in 2006.
  • In their 3-0 loss to Belgium, Panama suffered the biggest defeat by a World Cup debutant since Ukraine lost 4-0 to Spain in 2006.
  • They have failed to beat any of the previous 10 European sides they have faced in their history.

Match 2: Japan Vs. Senegal- 16:00 K.O.

Both sidesย come into this one with a win apiece and both had advantages in the first game. The Japanese had an extra man for 87 minutes, while Senegal were gifted a second goal by the Polish.

Senegal requireย a win and for Columbiaย to fail to beat Polandย in order to secure a round 16 place. Japan require a win and Polandย to fail to win against Columbiaย if they wish to secure an early qualification.

This game shapes up to be an interesting one as Senegal looked pretty solid at the back before they conceded the late goal against Poland. Meanwhile, Japan wereย helped by an early penalty and red card.

Match Facts*:

The game is live on BBC 1 with coverage starting around half anoย hour before kick off.

  • Victory would see Japan become the first Asian side to win their opening two games at a World Cup.
  • Japan have won two of their three World Cup games against African opponents, although they lost the more recent encounter, a 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast in 2014.
  • Senegal have the best win rate of any African side to have played at a World Cup, winning three of their six matches (50%).
  • They have conceded five times in their last nine games in all competitions, with just one of those goals coming in the first half.

Match 3: Poland Vs. Columbia- 19:00 K.O.

The third match of the day could send either Senegal or Japan to the last 16 if there is a positive result for either side in their game.

Columbia will be without Carlos Sanchez after his 3rd-minute red card in the opener. Meanwhile, James Rodriguez could be in line for a starting position after coming off the bench against Japan. This could be dangerous for Poland as he is a player of immense quality. His performances in the last World Cup are what earned him his big money move to Real Madrid.

Poland’s star man Lewandowski will be looking to make an impact after failing to do so in the first game. With a player of his calibre, you can never safely bet against him. Cionek is likely to keep his place after replacing Glik who’s just returned to training after a shoulder injury against Senegal.

Match Facts*:

The match will be live on ITV1

  • Poland have lost seven of their past nine World Cup matches (W2), failing to score in six of those losses.
  • Despite failing to score against Senegal in Poland’s opening match, Lewandowski has netted 21 goals in his last 16 appearances for his national team.
  • Only once before have Colombia lost both of their opening two games in a World Cup tournament, doing so against Romania and the USA back in 1994.
  • None of Colombia’s 19 games at the World Cup have ended goalless.

*Via BBC Sport Online

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