[Football] England v Wales

[AnotherArch]

If Wales beat Iran and we beat the Yanks, then this game has the potential to be accused of shithousery (real or not) of the highest order (but it would only be in line with what we have seen so far in this World Cup). This is because a draw would put us top of the group but also see Wales finish second and so qualify.
This has the precedent of Germany v Austria in 1982, when the 1-0 scoreline ensured that both teams qualified. After the goal was scored early, both teams stopped trying to score. The other final group match had already been played earlier, and so the exact outcome of this game was known that would benefit both sides. This led to the change where both final group games are now played simultaneously. If this match next week is drawn, the other result would be irrelevant.
So who (and how) decides if the teams are not trying or just useless? How could any 'agreement' be proven? Would they confiscate communications equipment? (Although 'they' probably have all comms recorded/logged already).
The Welsh would then be in our debt - although they would argue it was the other way round. And Prince William would have a win-win situation.

 

[Brok]

When we play them, we play to win. Simple.

 

[Easy 10]

Or alternatively, England will just go out and give Wales and their Championship / L1 players the proper slapping they deserve.

Do you REALLY think Southgate and Page would get together and concoct some mutually beneficial result to squeeze out Iran and the Yanks ? Bloody hell.

 

[GT49er]

Or alternatively, England will just go out and give Wales and their Championship / L1 players the proper slapping they deserve.

Do you REALLY think Southgate and Page would get together and concoct some mutually beneficial result to squeeze out Iran and the Yanks ? Bloody hell.

No, of course they wouldn't - we all know it's only Johnny Foreigner that gets up to that sort of shenannigans, don't we!

 

[Charles 'Charley' Charles]

Well firstly we'd have to do something we've never done before, and that's beat USA in the World Cup, so that should be the thing to concentrate on most.

 

[Seaview Seagull]

I don't think they would deliberately play to draw but if England have already qualified Southgate might legitimately rest some of his first choice players which could give perception of collusion.

 

[Eeyore]

I don't think they would deliberately play to draw but if England have already qualified Southgate might legitimately rest some of his first choice players which could give perception of collusion.

This is basically what will happen, depending on how winning the group suits England.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Havnt beaten USA yet

 

[US Seagull]

If England beat the US and Wales beats Iran, then England will advance regardless. So what's the motivation to do Wales a favor?

 

[Swansman]

Sweden and Denmark had a similar situation in 2004. The only result that would knock out the Italians and get both Scandinavian teams through was 2-2... which was also the final result. The Italians obviously weren't happy, ignoring that Denmark had a lot of chances to score 3-1 before the Swedish equaliser.