World Cup Agent Match Report: Wales see red

The Wales versus England match has been lined up as a crunch game this week after disappoint results in the second round of group games.

Wales lost to Iran while England limped to a 0-0 draw with the USA at the Qatar World Cup.

Estate Agent Today’s Welsh expert Michael Edwards filed his World Cup match report below, while Miles and Barr's Rob Sabin also provides his view on the bore draw between England and the USA.

'Tough to take'

Michael Edwards, director, Peter Alan

The second half of the USA game left me and many Welsh fans hopeful that the national side could make a credible account of themselves against Iran and put Wales in a strong position to qualify for the knock out stages. However, my blood pressure started to increase roughly around the fifth minute of the game.

If that was just me, then the rest of the ‘Red Wall’ fans, whether sat in a bar, in work or at the game itself, would have certainly seen their smart watches go through the roof in the 15th minute. 

This was time when the tone of Wales’ play was set by Connor Roberts carelessly passing the ball back into a dangerous area, which the Iranians picked up eagerly. A pass or two later and the ball was in the back of our net.

To my amazement, the Iranians had somehow got themselves into an offside position with the final pass and the goal didn’t count (blood pressure rescinds).

A warning to Wales, you would think, to be more careful in possession, to be better with their passing. A warning that went unheeded. Wales could not string together enough passes to make any significant inroads of attacking play. 

On the rare occasion they could deliver a final ball, it was hit long or short and just not finding a target. Keiffer Moore’s chance was the only real exception of the first half.

Maybe we could emulate the first games effort of the second half again? Then again, maybe not.

Wales continued to be second best to the loose ball, which I would put down to the ability of the Iranians to move quicker, and the ageing of key Welsh players (I know that feeling well).

The Iranians were on top now and a strike of each of Wales’ posts early in the second half proved that.

Rob Page knew he had to do something and made a double substitution with James & Johnson coming on, but it made little difference in all honesty. Ben Davies did come close and, with a bit more composure, it might have put us ahead.

Then, as Wales pressed, another loose pass enabled Iran to send over a long ball. Hennessey made a wild effort to clear, but took out Taremi and after VAR intervene, he saw a red card. No arguments, it was reckless.

As 0-0 looked inevitable well into injury time, we saw yet another Welsh error as Allen’s poor clearance fell only to Cheshmi, who took his chance eloquently in the corner, 1-0 (blood pressure off the chart!).

As Wales looked for an unlikely, undeserved equaliser, it was Iran again in the 102nd minute that sealed the win with a delicate finish. 2-0 (checks pulse).

The Iranians were never as bad as England made them look, but Wales did not help themselves. Congratulations to Iran however, it was a well-deserved win.

It’s all or nothing now against the next door neighbours. World Cup football eh? Hand me the Beta Blockers!!

'A shadow of the team from week one'

Rob Sabin, sales director, Miles & Barr

England's search for a win against the USA in a World Cup match continues. A largely underwhelming performance from Gareth Southgate’s side saw them share the spoils with the US in a 0-0 stalemate.

Unsurprisingly, Southgate named an unchanged starting XI from the emphatic 6-2 win against Iran in their first group game. However, despite the lack of changes, it didn’t take long for predictions of a draw to surface. 

England were a shadow of the team witnessed in the opening group game against Iran. They were slow, passive, lethargic, and struggled to create any chances of real worth in the final third. 

All the while the game remained at 0-0, the US gained confidence which saw them start to ask questions of the England defence. 

Chelsea star, Christian Pulisic came closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. His Premier League experience helped him create enough room inside the box to let loose and rattle the crossbar, warning England of his abilities.

Southgate’s attempt to change the direction of the game came from some late substitutes, including the likes of Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, and Marcus Rashford, though they did little to impact the way of play. A player many fans felt could have swayed the outcome of the match was Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who Southgate decided to leave on the bench.

Southgate later defended his decision by stating that “it was a game for experience."

Though the Three Lions had the chance to secure their spot in the knockout stages with a win, the draw meant they remained top of the Group B table with their final game against Wales now the primary focus. 

The game involving both home nations is certainly one that will be both electric and full of passion. A win is not just wanted but needed by both sides. 

Who will come out on top to claim bragging rights against their neighbour? Fingers crossed it is England!