Yesterday I had to act like one of the Likely Lads in that stupid World Cup episode, the one where they are trying as hard as they might to avoid the football scores until they get home. We recorded the England vs Trinidad & Tobago match, and I had to fight the urge all day to check the scores online; any non-Americans I encountered at work (and we're pretty international) had to be warned at the start of the conversation not to let anything slip. It wasn't easy. But it was worth it; England's late goals saved them, and I really thought that the Trinidadians would pull it off for a moment. And my wife and I danced about the room when Rooney darted onto the pitch. Rooooney! It was a very British encounter; not because most of the Trinidadians play in the UK (for the mighty Gillingham, or Falkirk, or Wrexham), but because there were absolutely no players sporting long, shampooed hair tied back with a girly, Argentinian headband. That is how you can tell it was British. There were a few moments of hilarity. The Mexican commentators referring to Beckham as 'Spice-man'. Shaka Hislop suddenly falling over and producing a great save from an invisible shot (having just watched the real ball fly harmlessly over the bar) - it's actually a condition called called Klinnsman Syndrome, you'll see more of it in the knockout stages, but from the strikers, not the goalies. Peter Crouch, looking as gangly and awkward as ever, fluffing open goals and attempting a scissors kick but ending up with more of a garden shears kick. And Dwight Yorke, lying on the turf in agony, his hands down his shorts, boys back in the barracks, before getting up and pouring water into his underwear. Wonder if that's ever happened to him in the nightclub? I heard that when Trinidad did a tour of the Middle East, Yorke disappeared before the match against Jordan, because he thought the child support agency would get him. Right now I'm watching Argentina leading against Serbia. Ther second goal was brilliant, a neat succession of passes followed by a cracking shot. They look very good for this Cup. they have just gone 3-0 up, and the Mexican guys are screaming 'gooooooooooooollll!!!!!!!' I'm still having doubts about England.
the footy is easier to avoid out here
16.6.06 14:45
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