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Brazil 2014: USA 2 Ghana 1 viewed from NYC as Jozy exits

June 17, 2014 by Colin Randall

Is it starting to feel like 'our team', Jake? — Is it starting to feel like ‘our team’, Jake?

Typical. Sunderland’s one man at Brazil 2014 – we can no longer count Ki – sees his first game and presumably his World Cup end after 20 minutes. Poor Jozy Altidore. After a rotten season, his goals in the warm-up had given hope. He had one chance before his hamstring injury and, though not clearcut (the ball ran behind him), ought have done better with it.

In the end, the USA, ahead in the first minute but pegged back by a late equaliser created by Asamoah Gyan, whose performance deepened the disbelief that he should have chosen lower-league level football and desert gold over the Premier, snatched a dramatic win. It was fitting that a country chosen by Salut! Sunderland as their honorary second team in Brazil should make a winning start. Our Californian Dreaming columnist Grant Tunkel, a Sunderland supporter out west, was over on the Eastern seaboard to share the delirium of fellow Americans in a NYC bar. Yep, bar …

Brazil 2014. The World Cup – more like the World Con

December 16, 2019June 16, 2014 by Colin Randall

I’m not a fan of the World Cup. I suppose it’s necessary, given that football (not soccer, Mr. Beckham, get it right) needs to sell itself around the world. I can also appreciate that any footballer worth his salt will want to test himself against the best.

Salut! Sunderland salutes its country-in-law. Bravo la France

June 16, 2014June 15, 2014 by Colin Randall

Steed's pre-match ritual? — Steed’s pre-match ritual?

OK, Honduras were hardly the world-beating opposition France had any right to fear.

But tonight’s was a solid opening game for les Bleus, deprived of Ribery by needle warfare -on Bayern medical advice, he wouldn’t take a cortisone injection, launching a new Franco-German conflict – and since I spend half the year in France, and have half a family that is French, I am pleased.

Hail Ravshan Irmatov as Swiss beat Ecuador and a referee restores faith

June 15, 2014 by Colin Randall

From Facebook. Ravshan Irmatov: great decision

We are very quick to condemn crass refereeing howlers, even though we all make mistakes at work.

Brazil 2014. Sixer, marking the England seniors’ exams, says: ‘Must do better’

June 15, 2014June 15, 2014 by Colin Randall

The strike by senior editors of Salut! Sunderland, cynically timed to coincide with the World Cup, severely delayed the appearance of Pete Sixsmith‘s thoughts on last night’s match. Here is an emergency strike-breaking version. His verdict on the England class of ’14: a decent effort but a long way to go to catch up with the Grade A students in Brazil…

Brazil 2014: cruel defeat leaves England proud but bitterly disappointed

June 14, 2014 by Colin Randall

This was a noble defeat in a excellent match from which England ought to have taken at least a point. Maintain this level of performance and Roy Hodgson can realistically hope for wins against Costa Rica and Uruguay. My report may be unnecessary; most will have seen it, too. But I offer it in case there is appetite and in the hope that readers will have their own say, too.

The fantasy was that I’d sit back in France, feet up at what for me is midnight and watch the game in the knowledge one of Salut! Sunderland‘s vast team of editors, writers, analysts and illustrators would do all the work. Well no one volunteered though they may pop up later, of course, so here goes …

Brazil 2014: England vs Italy – let battle commence

June 14, 2014June 14, 2014 by Colin Randall

In common with Pete Sixsmith, writing here the the other day, I genuinely like Roy Hodgson and that makes it easier to care more about England than has often been the case. International football never rivals club football – my club that is – in terms of emotional commitment.

But England play late tonight, the opener against Italy, and they carry my fervent best wishes for a great start.

Dutch rampage cancels another refereeing howler (NB: Shearer and Lawrenson disagreed)

June 13, 2014 by Colin Randall

At the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, Spain were dirty, the Netherlands thuggish and Howard Webb struggled to cope with it all though I thought he did as well as any ref could given two sets of players intent on ending the game with as few on the field as laws permit.

Tonight we had niggles rather than the brutality of 2010, a crushing defeat for the cup holders Spain and display of refereeing incompetence to rival that of Yuichi Nishimura in Brazil vs Croatia – yes, I know Jeremy Robson suggested worse – but ultimately, on this occasion, of no assistance to the beneficiaries.

Brazil 2014: Anita Lovren’s show of love for Southampton-playing Croatian husband

June 13, 2014June 13, 2014 by Colin Randall

Anita Lovran's Instagram verdict — Anita Lovran’s Instagram verdict

Now let us be honest. If Dejan Lovren had gone feet-high into Fred’s throat, leaving stud marks and threatening life itself, we can safely assume a devoted wife might have protested when the referee had the audacity to give a penalty. And a yellow card.

But it wasn’t quite like that, as we know. Fred, untouched by Lovren except when falling dramatically into him, simply cheated to gain his penalty. Since I am not prepared to suggest anything criminal, let me just repeat that this was a wretched decision, as bad as any to be imagined for the opening game of the world’s grandest sporting tournament.

Still wearing Brazil’s shirt with pride after night of fortune (or shame)

June 13, 2014June 13, 2014 by Colin Randall

Peerless? It's certainly Keirless, but he's the owner — Peerless? It’s certainly Keirless, but he’s the owner

Not any Brazil shirt for 13-year-old Keir Bradwell, but a harkback to 1970 – though see Mick Goulding’s comment below – that he got for offering to “roadtest” one from the Campo Retro range.

You’ve seen what Paul “Sobs” Dobson, or rather his son, made of his Belgium top. Below you’ll find Keir’s admiring review of his choice.