And that brings the curtain down on a surprisingly hectic evening of friendly/world-cup/African Cup of Nations action. It’s been a joy. Bye!
Final score: Holland 2-3 France
The final whistle blows, Holland having gone two goals down before the pre-planned 14th-minute tribute to Johan Cruyff, fought back, and then given it away again. Pretty good drama for a friendly, you’ve got to say.
Portugal, Cristian Ronaldo, Nani and all, are 1-0 down at home to Bulgaria at half time. Marcelinho scored the goal after 19 minutes.
Final score: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Switzerland
Ciaran Clark’s early goal makes the difference. “We didn’t have as much possession as we’d have liked, but once we got the goal I felt we were quite comfortable,” he says.
Updated
Final score: Peterborough 3-1 Coventry
It’s all over in League One, with Peterborough very much the happier – it says something that their goalkeeper, Ben Alnwick, is the man of the match, after making eight saves in the first half.
GOAL! Holland 2-3 France!
They’re back in the hole! Matuidi plays the ball to Martial on the left and sets off into the penalty area, Martial slides it through and Matuidi shoots in at the near post!
It’s stoppage time time in Ireland too, where there are about two minutes left.
GOAL! Holland 2-2 France
The Dutch have dug themselves out of a two-goal hole! It is – yes – a right-wing corner kick, which is pulled back to Afellay, loitering totally unmarked at the edge of the area, and he scores with a low shot across goal!
Peterborough are two minutes into a five-minute stoppage-time jamboree, and remain 3-1 to the good.
Final score: St Vincent & Grenadines 2-3 Trinidad & Tobago
Closer than many predicted, but Trinidad & Tobago have the win they came for. They have already drawn 0-0 at home to the US and beaten Guatemala away, and with the top two going through, it’s looking very much like T&T and USA will be heading for the fifth round.
Final score: Algeria 7-1 Ethiopia
In which Algeria sought to single-handedly make up for any shortcomings in the Slovakia match. Algeria’s first two games in the qualifying group finished 4-0 and 3-1 – so 7-1 on aggregate – and they’ve doubled that tonight and are in control of Group J, which also contains Seychelles and Lesotho.
GOAL! Algeria 7-1 Ethiopia
Still time for one more goal, mind. It’s a low cross from the left, the visiting defence is mentally already in the bath, the one defender who’s at all on his toes dives to block a shot from the No17, who can’t in the end reach the ball, and the guy behind him – Abdelkader Ghezzal, I believe – is all alone to sidefoot in.
Algeria v Ethiopia is into stoppage time, and there should only be a few more seconds of it.
Sorry, nodded off there while thinking about Slovakia v Latvia. I’m sure there were interesting things about it, but when you’re attempting to watch six matches simultaneously it wasn’t the kind of match that draws the eye.
Final score: Slovakia 0-0 Latvia
And that’s the final whistle, the referee bringing an end to a game that was, from the very stazzzzzzzzzzzzz.
In Slovakia they’re into the first of two added minutes, and it’s still goalless.
GOAL! Algeria 6-1 Ethiopia
The word consolation springs to mind. It appears that Algeria had their minds on adding to their goal difference as they seemed to have only one defender as Ethiopia broke, and a low shot went through the keeper’s legs. This, though, is the goal you want to see, Algeria’s fifth:
5ème But Algérien signé Saphir Taïder 😆 #ALGETH pic.twitter.com/zhMziopE2X
— AK (@LeReplicant) March 25, 2016
GOAL! SV&G 2-3 T&T
That’s an embarrassingly simple goal, Hackshaw hitting a high pass from defence that goes over pretty much the entire home team and finds Garcia running clear, and he hits a first-time shot past Lemus Christopher!
GOAL! Peterborough 3-1 Coventry
The home side restore their two-goal lead. Vincelot’s shot is blocked but the ball runs to Beautyman, who steadies himself and then rolls the ball in, just inside the near post!
GOAL! Algeria 6-0 Ethiopia!
A left-wing cross is turned in, and the rout of Ethiopia just gets routier.
GOAL! St Vincent & Grenadines 2-2 Trinidad & Tobago
Nice goal! I mean, the defending’s horrific, but still. A crossfield pass finds Samuel in space, and he shapes to shoot from the edge of the area before instead sliding in Shandel Samuel, who has an empty net to aim at and doesn’t miss.
Leicester fans may like to know that Riyad Mahrez has just been taken off by Algeria, apparently uninjured. Benzia replaces him, winning his first cap.
Apparently Lee Angol had scored for Peterborough a couple of minutes earlier, from a Maddison cross.
GOAL! Peterborough 2-1 Coventry
Hang on, it’s Peterborough 2-1 Coventry. I’ve no recollection of Posh scoring a second, but Joe Cole has just turned in a low cross to bring Coventry back into it!
GOAL! Algeria 5-0 Ethiopia
Crikey, it’s all go. This one’s a left-wing corner, met on the volley by Saphir Taider 25 yards out, and he pings it into the top corner! Nice!
GOAL! St Vincent & Grenadines 1-2 Trinidad & Tobago
It’s the substitute, Levi Garcia, who gets the ball on the left, cuts inside, shows us a few lollipops and then slams the ball high and hard into the near post from 15 yards.
GOAL! Algeria 4-0 Ethiopia
It’s becoming a procession now. Algeria’s No11 plays a one-two with the No14 on the edge of the area, takes a touch and then slams the ball in at the near post from 19 yards.
In Slovakia a goalkeeper has had something to do! It’s the home side who have the shot, Hamsik with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area, but the keeper gathers at the second attempt. They’re 2-1 up on shots on target now, still 0-0 in terms of actual goals.
For the Dutch, Van Dijk and Clasie have gone off.
Diarra, Griezmann and Evra were the players to make way for France at the interval.
GOAL! Holland 1-2 France!
This time it’s a free-kick from the left, sent in by Depay, and De Jong runs clear of his marker, totally misjudges his header, flicks his head at thin air, and accidentally chests the ball perfectly in at the far post!
Algeria obviously think the game’s won: they’re taking off Sofiane Feghouli.
Premier League-related news from Amsterdam: France bring on N’Golo Kante and Anthony Martial at half-time, as well as Lucas Digne. Memphis Depay and Ibrahim Afellay have both come on for Holland.
Great chance for SV&G! They break, and someone runs down the middle with a team-mate in loads of space to his right! For some reason, however, he waits until his team-mate is offside, and then, just to be sure, massively overhits his pass.
The second half is under way in Ireland, and also in Peterborough.
GOAL! St Vincent & Grenadines 1-1 Trinadad & Tobago
Twelve minutes into the second half, it’s – yes – a right-wing corner, and it’s an own goal! I’m not sure whose head it came off, either Roy Richards or Shemal Trimmingham, though the commentator seems convinced it’s the latter.
In SV&TG, the home side’s left midfielder goes on an excellent run, spinning past his marker on the byline, pegging it in a rampaging bullock way for 40 yards or so, spinning nicely again, and then booting a crossfield pass towards nobody, sadly.
GOAL! Algeria 3-0 Ethiopia
Game, set and surely match to Algeria, three minutes into the second half. A player is played through on the right of the area, and though the keeper hares out to save well with his right hand, the ball runs free and Feghouli runs onto it and taps into an empty net.
They’re into first-half stoppage time in Amsterdam, but in Algeria, Slovakia and St Vincent & Grenadines, the second half has just (or at least recently) started.
And that’s half time, Ireland 1-0 Switzerland.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time in Ireland. They’re approaching the end of minute two, still 1-0.
GOAL! Peterborough 1-0 Coventry
In the final moments of the first half, Posh get a right-wing corner (there have been lots of key right-wing corners tonight), and Michael Bostwick is all alone, just beyond the back post, to nod in!
Alan Judge totally loses his marker from a right-wing free-kick, and would have had a free header had Shane Long not decided he’d also like to head it, and effectively put in a fine last-minute challenge. Even so, Judge’s header goes narrowly wide.
Dzemali can have no complaints, mind – that was diving of the most divacious kind.
Switzerland are doing some concerted and extended probing of the Irish defence, though it ends when the referee blows his whistle and Blerim Dzemali for diving in the penalty area.
“I saw John Bostock playing for Leuven against Ostend earlier this season,” writes Brendan Barrett. “He was appalling; ambling insouciantly round midfield, regularly giving the ball away and being subbed at half-time. His team lost 3-0.”
A little news story on Holland’s Johan Cruyff tribute:
And that’s half time at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in Kingstown, the yellow-shirted home team high-fiving their way sweatily off the field.
GOAL! St Vincent & Grenadines 1-0 Trinidad & Tobago
Totally against the run of play, the home side break. The striker’s played through, the keeper comes out, but striker gets there first and then tumbles. Penalty! And it’s tucked away, after the obligatory mid-run-up shuffle!
And it’s also half-time in Slovakia, where Latvia are drawing 0-0.
It’s half-time in Algeria, where the home side had a wonderful opportunity to score a third just before the break.
What a stop! Griezmann runs onto the ball, perhaps eight yards out, and sidefoots goalwards, but Cillessen keeps it out!
I’ve criminally ignored Algeria v Ethiopia, for which I apologise – it’s the only one of the six games I’m not making at least a third-hearted attempt to watch – but the home side are 2-0 up, Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani with the goals.
Doyle has been carried off the pitch, on a stretcher, and Murphy is on.
“In the very rare two v two matchup Trinidad & Tobago are on St Vincent & The Grenadines like ugly on an ape,” writes JR in Illinois. “Look for the Trinidadians to break the scoreless deadlock soon.” SV&TG are a bit bobbins at the football, having lost their first two games of the group stage by an aggregate score of 10-1.
Daryl Murphy is getting ready to come on. Doyle leapt over the leg of a Swiss defender and landed awkwardly, but kept running for several paces before turning, grimacing, and going down. He’s still being treated.
The physios are cutting Doyle’s left sock open with scissors, and have now called for a stretcher. There’s no sign of an open wound, but he is obviously in real pain.
22 minutes have been played in Ireland, where Kevin Doyle has gone down injured, and has already indicated that his night is over.
The entire stadium rises for 60 seconds of enthusiastic clapping, at the end of which the Dutch kick off. They look very much like a team that wasn’t good enough to qualify for the Euros currently.
And that’ll be the last action for a while in Amsterdam, where the game has been paused for a minute’s applause in memory of Johan Cruyff.
GOAL! Holland 0-2 France
The French extend their lead! Another set-piece – a Payet corner from the right – is headed out to the edge of the area, nodded back with interest by Matuidi, and turned in by Giroud!
Updated
11 mins: In Amsterdam Sneijder tries to score a revenge free-kick – though it’s from a lot further out – but he blasts it at the wall.
Moments later, down the other end, Seferovic escapes the attentions of Ciaran Clark and heads a corner just over the bar.
Meanwhile in Ireland, Kevin Doyle leaps for a high ball with left elbow raised, lands it on the neck of an opponent and various Swiss people get angry.
GOAL! Holland 0-1 France
France get a free-kick just outside the area, and Griezmann and Payet stand over it ominously. It’s the former who takes it, left-footed, and with the keeper taking a step towards the wall-protected side of goal at just the wrong moment, it flies into the other corner!
Updated
“In an alternate universe (more accurately my ongoing Football Manager 2008 Man Utd game) John Bostock became a Lampard-esque goal smashing midfield general for Utd and later Barcelona after he wouldn’t sign a new contract for me,” writes Brian Foley. It wasn’t only the FM programmers who overestimated him at the time.
“I’ve left a few noises on St David Guetta of the Virtual Fistpump’s page,” writes Pumpkin Head. “‘Ho Hum’ is probably the most printable.”
And, finally, Holland kick off, and within moments Quincy Promes is nearly in, only for Koscielny to nip in at the last moment.
They’re holding a minute’s silence in Amsterdam in honour of those injured and killed in the terrorist attacks on Brussels.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 1-0 Switzerland
GOAL! The Republic of Ireland are in front already! Less than two minutes on the clock, and from a corner Robbie Brady heads towards goal, and Ciaran Clark nips in front of the goalkeeper to divert it past the keeper from very close range.
Updated
There’s full-on brass band action in Amsterdam for the friendly between Holland and France. Classic. The band members all have pictures of Johan Cruyff on their little music stand things.
Peeep! Switzerland kick off at the Aviva Stadium. Apparently the boys with hats and guns had something to do with the Easter Rising. Note to self: learn more history.
@Simon_Burnton Er, Easter Rising
— Charlie Bird (@zebthecat) March 25, 2016
A new answer to the question “whatever happened to John Bostock”, who became the youngest player in the history of Crystal Palace when he made his debut aged 15 years and 287 days in 2007, was snaffled by Spurs and then didn’t really do much. The Guardian’s latest update came a year or so ago:
Well he’s still at Leuven, but he’s about to become a Trinidad and Tobago international. Not tonight, though, because the Trinidadians got a bit befuddled with their form-filling. The Soca Warriors coach, Stephen Hart, called him up last week but can’t play him, because (quotes taken from Newsday):
I misread the Fifa documentation and failed to realise that there was an amendment to the original ruling of players switching their country of choice and because John had already played for England at the international youth level, he as the player needs to write to Fifa stating that he no longer wishes to play for England and intends to switch to Trinidad and Tobago.
[David John-Williams, the TT FA] president was going over the final details to ensure all was in order and made this discovery and he advised me. It’s unfortunate but we’ve spoken to John and he understands the situation.
We will now wait for feedback to see when the process is completed by FIFA to have a better idea of when he can make his debut for us in the World Cup qualification competition.
So, there you go. You’re up to date with the latest Trinidad and Tobago selection news.
Can anyone explain what’s going on here? This was just before the anthems were played at the Republic of Ireland v Switzerland game.
Really, I can’t believe that there’s a good-quality, legal live stream of St Vincent & Grenadines v Trinidad & Tobago. What a world we’re living in. Oh to be alive in these days. Etc.
Someone called Stephen has sent me some more Irish music. The game in Slovakia has kicked off, but in St Vincent & Grenadines the teams are posing for photos.
Football! The anthems are just being sung before Slovakia v Latvia! Oh yes. It’s coming.
David Guetta wants you to be on his official Euro 2016 theme song! You just have to go to this website, listen to his introduction, and then shout “Hey! Ho!” at your computer. Has anyone actually done this? Do you get a share of the royalties?
Here’s the Republic of Ireland v Switzerland teams, then:
Republic of Ireland: Randolph, Coleman, Duffy, Clark, Brady, Judge, Meyler, Quinn, McGeady, Long, Doyle. #EURO2016
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) March 25, 2016
Switzerland: Sommer, Lang, Schär, Klose, Rodríguez, Džemaili, Xhaka, Behrami, Embolo, Mehmedi, Seferović #EURO2016.
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) March 25, 2016
Paul Walsh – not that Paul Walsh, but another one – has tweeted a picture of the team sheet:
Big night for Meyler, Doyle, Judge, Clark, Quinn and Duffy.#ROI will do well to get a result this evening #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/2H076PqY2j
— Paul Walsh (@paulwalshtv3) March 25, 2016
The Press Association have filed a reaction to the Republic of Ireland line-up, but they haven’t yet filed the Republic of Ireland line-up, which seems an unusual way of doing things. Anyway, here’s the reaction:
Alan Judge was handed a senior Republic of Ireland debut as manager Martin O’Neill gaver some of his fringe players a chance to impress against Switzerland.
Brentford midfielder Judge started along with Blackburn defender Shane Duffy, winning a second appearance for his country almost two years after his first, while there were places too for Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Doyle in a side captained by Everton full-back Seamus Coleman.
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic included Norwich defender Timm Klose and Watford midfielder Valon Behrami in his starting line-up with Leicester midfielder Gokhan Inler left out of the squad for the first time in 10 years after failing to make his mark at the King Power Stadium.
Some team news filtering through. Dmitri Payet gets a chance for France:
Oranje start de wedstrijd tegen Frankrijk met de volgende elf spelers. #nedfra pic.twitter.com/5XsEOxmn8V
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 25, 2016
Et voici la composition des Bleus ! H-1 avant #PBSFRA #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/DNrbdaTAN5
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) March 25, 2016
There’s one mascot in this gallery that might push Samba close on the scariness stakes:
Today’s big football news in full
This mascot was seen for the first time today. Is it the scariest mascot in football history? It certainly gets my vote.
The 2017 African Cup of Nations mascot was unveiled today – and it's terrifying (pic: https://t.co/mAhFVJhITt) pic.twitter.com/3HZzXUKLlP
— Simon Burnton (@Simon_Burnton) March 25, 2016
Another picture of the 2017 African Cup of Nations mascot, Samba. I'm having nightmares tonight pic.twitter.com/cmpJqJ89IV
— Simon Burnton (@Simon_Burnton) March 25, 2016
Hello world!
We’ve got a small and totally random expertly curated list of matches to monitor this evening. Just six of them, and that’s even if we do a little light barrel-scraping. So, if you wouldn’t mind performing your own mental drum roll, here are tonight’s 7.30pm or 7.45pm (GMT) kick-offs:
Saint Vincent & Grenadines v Trinidad and Tobago (World Cup qualifying)
Peterborough v Coventry City (League 1)
Algeria v Ethiopia (2017 Afcon qualifying)
Slovakia v Latvia (friendly)
Republic of Ireland v Switzerland (friendly)
Holland v France (friendly)
We are, in short, going to have to make some of our own entertainment here. So, for a start, here’s a song that mentions Easter:
And here’s another!
Simon will be here shortly. Whilst you wait, have a read of what Martin O’Neill had to say in his pre-match press conference:
Martin O’Neill was put on the spot about the serious stuff. What, the Republic of Ireland manager was asked, would be his policy on wives and girlfriends when he took his squad to the European Championship in the summer? And, more immediately, did he have a view on the Good Friday alcohol ban in Ireland and the impact it stood to have on the attitude of the home crowd for the friendly against Switzerland in the evening?
The Aviva Stadium will be one of the few places where people can buy a drink; others include train stations for people with train tickets, and hotels for people staying in them. “So you’re asking whether people are coming to the game because it is one of the only places where they can get a drink?” O’Neill said. “I was wondering why my family wanted to come.”
O’Neill went for a humorous answer to the wag issue, too, although the reply was rather less well judged. “It depends on how good-looking the girls are,” he said. “If they’re really attractive, they’re very, very welcome. The uglier ones, I’m afraid not.”
For the full article, click here.
