England fielded substitutes and reserve players – many of which had not played at all – or been on the field for just a few minutes during the odd game. England even used their reserve Goal-keeper! England won the World Cup in 1966, and got into the semi-finals during 1990 and 2018 – and on both those latter occasions lost the third-fourth play-offs (effectively coming “fourth”). Although some people think that the third-fourth plsy-offs are pointless – I disagree. For a start, if a team gets into the semis – then even if they lose – they earn a top four ranking in world football (this is vitally important for national and team morale and development). The finalists secure first (the winners – or gold) and second (the runner’s-up – or silver) spots – whilst the bronze medal final decides third and fourth (when I was at school – the fourth spot was referred to as the “wooden-spoon”). To be clear, it is preferrable to come “third” than “fourth” – so every effort must be made. As sport is a replacemet for war – there are never any insignificant battles.
Ironically, this England b-team was rather like the French Foreign Legion – it was made-up of many different men from various backgrounds – who had nothing to lose! Any my goodness – it was shot-through with what the French like to refer to as “elan” or “dash” (a type of impetuous and unstoppable energy). As matters transpired, this England hammer “4” goals past a French a-team that seemed frozen in the head-lights. If the half had not ended – it could have been “10” or more! England was pushing up and not defending – and this caught the French unawares. They became stuck trying to defrnd their goal without attacking England’s open defence. Interestingly, this is how Argentina plays – by pushing all their strikers up into the opponent’s half – even substituting midfield and defensive players for even more strikers! England did not go that far – but the effect was similar. If you can dictate the pace and where the game will take place – you can “hide” the weaknesses in your team. Obviously, at half-time, the French coach re-set the approach of the French team – and they came out attacking England’s shaky defence (they got round the back)! We know this worked as they quickly scored “4” goals and put England under intense pressure until substitutions could be made that soldified the formation. Although never drawing equal – it was close – and England had to work hard to score two-more goals! Was Tuchel right to play this England side? Well, probably “yes”. The French could have scored “4” goals against England’s a-team – and England might not have had an answer to any of it! England could have gone 4-0 down and stayed 4-0 down! Instead, an inspired choice of fresh and highly motivated English reserves caught the French totally by surprise! The “4” goals England scored gave a sevurity blanket against the French avalanche – when it came – and come it did! We already had the goals in the bag – but had to work to stop it getting any worse – or throwing away the first-half lead! Many thought that England and France should have been in the final – and were the best two sides. We got our final in the end and can proudly hold our heads up high with a well-earned third-place in the world. One-day, we will regain the top spot in world football – the game England invented!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 