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Ep 27 Qualification - Tunisia IN! Cristiano Ronaldo's record! Norway hit 11! England are BACK!!
3 Plays1 month ago
Join your hosts Nick Britten Ken Davies as we take the deepest of deep dives into everything related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
All the news, analysis and comment from every team, every qualification process and of course the tournament itself. The biggest festival of soccer in the world.
This week we reflect on a brilliant two weeks of qualifying which saw Tunisia book their WC spot, Cristiano equal a world record, Bolivia sneak into the CONMEBOL playoffs with a shock win over Brazil, and Norway hit 11. Plus your World Cup news roundup, Kenny’s Quiz and much, much more.
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Road to World Cup 26'
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, hello, wherever you are in the world, and welcome to Road to World Cup 26 podcast.
00:00:16
Ken Davies
Thank
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is your weekly show and remains, i think we're going to set some kind of record here, it remains the only weekly dedicated regular ah podcast in the entire world. dedicated to World Cup 26.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
twenty six My name is Nick Britton. I'm joined as always, as always, by my esteemed colleague, the man who knows more about football than anybody in this entire planet, even if it's just only in his head, Mr. Ken Davis. Hello, Kenny. How are you?
00:00:48
Ken Davies
Good morning, greetings from the Côte d'Azur in Nice, a la France.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, you have...
00:00:55
Ken Davies
Beautiful day, wonderful sea, just gorgeous. And you're in rainy old, autumny England.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's actually quite a nice day here today. It's all right. But yes, probably not nearly as nice as you are, either weather-wise or just spiritually, because let's face it, ah Derby or Nice.
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
o It's a bit of a toss-up. Not sure which one I'd rather be in. ah But yes, you've abandoned Global Sports Podcast Network Towers for the week, haven't you? Enjoying a bit of a spell in the sunshine. So how's it been?
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
How's your week been down there?
00:01:23
Ken Davies
yeah
00:01:23
Ken Davies
r and r I'm off to see Nice versus Nantes this afternoon. I'll be able to give you ah ah yeah an update on exactly what the the state of Midway up Ligue 1 in France can offer football-wise.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that how they say in France? Okay, that's very good.
00:01:39
Ken Davies
Ligue 1. Ligue 1. That's how it's saying.
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
If anybody remembers the British sitcom Hello, Hello from the 1990s.
00:01:47
Ken Davies
LAUGHTER
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that was quite a good audition.
Format Change: Focus on Qualifying Games
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right. Okay. We're going to take do things slightly differently to how we have been doing them. As you know, if you are a regular listener and if you are, thank you very much indeed. We normally spend most of our time taking a very, very deep dive into teams that have qualified or teams that we're pretty sure or indeed pretty certain.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
when we look into our crystal ball, that are going to qualify. But we're going to take a slight deviation from that this week because there have been so many World Cup games and there's been such an exciting movement of qualifying stuff that we're just going to bring you up to speed with the last two weeks of qualifying games and where it leaves us because we've had more qualifiers.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've had more people getting to the brink of qualification. So we're going to have a quick scoot around the world. to bring you ah really up to speed with exactly where we are on the World Cup 26 qualifying campaign.
Breaking News: Emilio Nsue's Eligibility Case
00:02:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's good. We're going to have, of course, a bit of breaking news, as we always do, and everybody's favourite time of the week, Kenny's Quiz. We're not ditching that because that is literally everybody's favourite time of the week, apart from Ken.
00:02:50
Ken Davies
But because we're not doing a particular country, Nick, literally, this could be anything, couldn't it, in the quiz? The question could be global, anywhere.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, it is. Oh, they are global. Yeah, they are global.
00:03:00
Ken Davies
OK.
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're not... They have been taken... i normally sort of have a theme for Kenny's Quiz every week. these This quiz is taken from like... I think it was official... was looking around this the other day. Official FIFA quiz stuff.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's nothing... I mean, some of the questions are really random. Like, who scored three goals in a game for the first time in 1936? Stuff like that. I'm not going to get...
00:03:13
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:03:20
Ken Davies
yeah Harry, it's on the tip of my tongue.
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
a look
00:03:24
Ken Davies
Harry Jones, wasn't it? Harry Jones for England.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
i thought I actually thought you werere going to say Harry Kane because I know how much you don't like him.
00:03:30
Ken Davies
No. oh no But I can't argue because, you know, he scored a goal.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:03:37
Ken Davies
Scored a goal this week.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, this is this is true. i There were 50 questions in this quiz. I've kind of picked the three that I think you've got a good chance getting. So I always like always not to give you chance.
00:03:45
Ken Davies
Bless you. Bless you. Excellent.
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I always like to give you chance. But let's kick off, as we always do, with a bit of breaking news.
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not quite the same when you don't have papers to shuffle in an entertaining way. <unk>ve got it Oh, yeah, if you've got your pad, you shuffle your pad.
00:04:11
Ken Davies
There you go.
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's good. As long as that's all you're shuffling. ah Right, okay. Today's main bit of news, actually, concerns a long-running story and a story that we bought you on Road to the World Cup 26 podcast. Ooh, it seems like a long time ago.
00:04:22
Ken Davies
epi Episode one or two, wasn't it?
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, it was right early on in the podcast.
00:04:25
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're now on episode 27. So it was about 25 weeks ago that we brought you this story. And it it was it's a great story. And it involves the Equatorial Guinea player, Emilio Nsui.
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
who And Ken did a lot of research into into this player. And essentially, to cut Ken's very, very long-winded and rambling story short, he played for...
00:04:54
Ken Davies
detailed i think is the word you're Detailed is the word i think you're searching for there, Nick.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll stick with rambling, thanks. It turns out that he had played for Equatorial Guinea for years and years and years without actually being eligible. And nobody, nobody picked, it's bit like me running out for England really, isn't it?
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And going, oh no, I actually am eligible because I could play for England.
00:05:14
Ken Davies
No, you're in it. It's about you running out for Equatorial Guinea and no one's saying,
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true.
00:05:19
Ken Davies
Has anyone checked that Nick actually is Equatorial Guinean at any time?
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Yeah.
00:05:28
Ken Davies
Oh, we'd better do that.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And, well, no, no, we should do this. We should, I'll tell you what we should do. We should sign up, try and sign up for a team, you and me. You know what we know when George Wears' cousin signed for Southampton? Do you remember that?
00:05:39
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe you like you and I should go and pick a really random nation and go there and say, yeah, the local.
00:05:43
Ken Davies
Well, the the lowest one. We need to go and look at who 210th and say, you know, on pat
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ill gra very Yeah, our grandparents were from here. Can we come and play for your football team?
00:05:55
Ken Davies
yeah in their second division.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:05:56
Ken Davies
I'd
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they'd probably say yes. They'd probably say yes.
00:06:00
Ken Davies
say yes for you.
00:06:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you might just be on a bench forever.
00:06:05
Ken Davies
think so. might have been a manager.
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, forever. and
00:06:07
Ken Davies
yeah
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So anyway, it turned out after a very long running story that earlier this year, FIFA said it was comfortably satisfied, to use their words, that Nsui, who said he played for Equatorial Guinea for a long time, even though he previously played for Spain, ah then it was okay. He could play for Equatorial Guinea. Hurrah.
00:06:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he finally got formal clearance, even though he'd been playing them for for years. Anyway, so Equatorial Guinea thought, hmm, we've got a good plan here. ah Our World Cup qualifier campaign isn't going incredibly well, but we did win a couple of games and got some points on the board before this official clearance took place.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to say, well, look, seeing as he's been officially cleared, can we actually have the points... from you know from before when he kind of wasn't officially appeared.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, in the last 48 hours, the ah the Court of Arbitration for Sport have come back and said, no, sorry, Equatorial, Kenny, you can't.
00:07:05
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
you could only He's only eligible to play and
Dynamic Pricing for World Cup Tickets
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
therefore and therefore yeah we're not going to give you back the points that you won because they beat, they beat Namibia, Namibia, sorry, Namibia even, and Liberia.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just formed a new country by putting those into one word there.
00:07:23
Ken Davies
yeah
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Namibia and Liberia won.
00:07:26
Ken Davies
i
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's terrible, isn't it? It's terrible. It's Saturday morning. What can I say? It's been a busy week. Um, So that would have given them six points in those two games. But because at the time Nsui was ineligible, they got both those six points taken off them and three nil wins given to the other team.
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they wanted those they wanted to claw those six points back.
00:07:46
Ken Davies
Sounds like a bit of common sense to me. He wasn't eligible at the time, so therefore you can't play him. Simple as that. He now it becomes eligible now, and therefore you're all right.
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. It kind of feels like Equatorial Guinea were chancing their arm on this. Because if the Court of Arbitration for Sport turned around and said, yeah, okay, we'll give you those six points back, then that puts them second in the group and a great chance of getting in the playoffs, as it is.
00:08:10
Ken Davies
It also probably opens a can of worms with other and uneligible players throughout the decades. We'd have to play the 1996 World Cup all over again, for example.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, pretty much so. And how far do you go back? So anyway, it just means they're fifth and they they're done for.
00:08:26
Ken Davies
Exactly.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
They won't get in the playoffs. ah But we always like to bring you your ensuing news because it's a story that's just run and run.
00:08:36
Ken Davies
It's a bit sad. I would have liked to see an Nsui holding up the World Cup trophy after they triumphed 3-0 against Argentina in the final. that would have been That would have been a proper circular story, wouldn't it?
00:08:47
Ken Davies
That would have given us proper closure.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Proper closure. Proper closure. And then the next thing that there would have been announced, a little bit like what's been announced this week in the and the what's been dubbed the doping games. you seen that story, by the way? ah this The Olympic Games where, yeah, we're going to hold separate games where you can take as much drugs as you like.
00:08:58
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:09:04
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
so So we can have a World Cup of ineligible players.
00:09:05
Ken Davies
Yeah, best for Happy Monday, since win the high jump, I understand.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, he's already halfway there. He just needs the jump in.
00:09:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, you can have a World Cup of inegible ineligible players. would be great. All these players running around.
00:09:20
Ken Davies
Makes note, makes note, yeah.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's good for you. Anyway, so that's that. um And more ticket news. I bring you ticket news every week, so I ah won't bother. Although it's worth it is worth saying that so there has been lots of talk in the mainstream media here in the UK this week about...
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
the dynamic pricing of World Cup tickets. ah so that But that's a story, Ken and I, that we broke on this podcast quite some time ago that FIFA were going to do dynamic pricing.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's good to see we are leading the news...
00:09:48
Ken Davies
We're the place
Zencastr Ad Attempt by Ken
00:09:49
Ken Davies
to go to for World world Cup information, news and analysis.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we're definitely we're definitely leading the the World Cup agenda. ah So, breaking news there on that. If you want to get your World Cup news and you want to be in the know, then the place to listen to is us before any any mainstream media who are way behind the curve on this.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, okay. Before we get cracking then with our roundup of all the very exciting games, there's been lots going on in the last couple of weeks. Ken, I'm going to put you to the test because I'm going to ask you to read out an ad that you don't have.
00:10:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you're going to have to memorize it. You can choose. It can either be Bionic ad or Zencastrad. Which one do you want to go with?
00:10:28
Ken Davies
I'm going to Lancaster first. I haven't got any notes with me.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
right, go on. If you can remember.
00:10:31
Ken Davies
I'm in the south of France.
00:10:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
it'
00:10:33
Ken Davies
I'm making all this up.
00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:34
Ken Davies
But as we know...
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, wait a second. Before you do, it's worth saying that I've got the ads in front of me. but So I could do this. But it's more fun if you do it.
00:10:43
Ken Davies
yeah, yeah, yeah. I want to do it. As we know at GSPN and as Thomas Tuchel knows, it pays to get your team selection right. And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spend a lot of time getting our team selection right.
00:10:58
Ken Davies
And the clear winner was Zencastr. Zencastr offers you AI editing. It offers you all kinds of additional functionality all in one place.
00:11:14
Ken Davies
So if you've got a story to tell, the place to tell it is with Zencastr. Check out the show notes for details. You'll not regret it.
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's good.
00:11:23
Ken Davies
How was that?
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not bad, actually.
00:11:25
Ken Davies
most that
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's not bad. Yeah, yeah. um You missed out the words delivery platform when talking about Zencastr. So we spend a lot of talking about delivery platform so that's kind of what they do.
00:11:31
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah, they are a delivery platform.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, Zencastr came out the clear winner. 4K video recording from your phone, AI editing that automatically removes ums and ahs. It's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:11:44
Ken Davies
yeah i got I thought it was an 8 out of 10 attempt, actually.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you got the rest of it right. So well done, you. Well done, Zencastr.
00:11:49
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And good job all round. Let's start then.
Conmebol Region Qualifiers
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
in Conmebol, because it's quite an interesting, yeah, quite an interesting a couple of days.
00:11:57
Ken Davies
Conor Babal.
00:12:00
Ken Davies
Some interesting results, unexpected results going on in Conor Babal in the course of the last few weeks.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and we just saw, just saw it in the last few days, Brazil and Argentina both lose on the same night, and I'm wondering when that last happened. And I started doing some research on this, but I couldn't quite find out.
00:12:15
Ken Davies
It was April 1954. No, no, no. Don't be silly. Clearly 54, wasn't it, with that 2-1 victory after Ecuador?
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
50, ICI, yeah, ICI 52 in my brain.
00:12:24
Ken Davies
no no no no did don't be silly
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:28
Ken Davies
fifty clearly fifty four wasn't it with that two one victory yeahf ecuador
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Although they were playing F2R Guinea because and Sui was playing.
00:12:36
Ken Davies
said That's right. Davin Edda in the 89th minute.
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah that Yeah.
00:12:40
Ken Davies
That's right. ah yeah So Brazil news and finished fifth in the group, by the way.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:45
Ken Davies
i mean, it's been a very mixed, mixed set of qualification fixtures of Brazil.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that's...
00:12:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they have they have, of course, ah employed Carlo Ancelotti to be their coach going into the World Cup. And we kind of expected a big upturn in results and upturn in performances since it took over.
00:13:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they habit they did start by winning games, but losing to Bolivia was not in the script. Now... they did they did Their front line wasn't the Brazil front line that we know and love. yeah It just wasn't. So, venicius there was no Vinicius Junior.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah There was no Rodrigo. um And you had a front three of Luis Enrique, Richarlison and Samuel Lino, which, you know. but
00:13:25
Ken Davies
on fire though yeah that that that's Richarlison on fire though isn't it that's that is Richarlison on fire that's what you get and then we'll not hear from him for about a season and a half
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, i do I don't get his narrative, by the way. He had a good game for Tottenham, like, three or four weeks ago. Does that qualify him as being on fire? Yeah. One good game. We've scored a couple goals.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, is it. He scored a couple of goals in the opening game of the season. but and then And then it was like, oh, Richarlison's back. And Thomas Frank at Tottenham was saying, oh, yeah, he's he's my number nine for this season. Well, he won't be for much longer. because
00:13:53
Ken Davies
No, I don't think so.
00:13:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
As you say, he'll do it for a couple of games. So that's about it.
00:13:56
Ken Davies
Well done to Bolivia.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:13:57
Ken Davies
Hats off to Bolivia.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the point is this. It's not just Brazil losing. That's kind of not the story. The story is it was a real shock result And what it did, it catapulted Bolivia into the playoffs.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this was the last round of Commonwealth qualification. And Venezuela were very much in the box seat. And we kind of expect, they were a point ahead of Bolivia going into these games.
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we expected them to take something off Colombia, which probably would have been fine because we didn't expect Bolivia to beat Brazil. I mean, if you're going to say that that both teams were going to probably likely lose that, everybody goes, yeah, fair enough.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it still means Venezuela qualify. As it was going...
00:14:34
Ken Davies
We were very close to doing a Venezuela episode.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
in yeah Well, yeah. Well, yeah. but Well, no, to be fair, it was only a playoff place they would have qualified for. and And they were beating Colombia. They were beating Colombia 2-1 at half-time.
00:14:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Luis Suarez came on.
00:14:49
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it didn't come on, but he's a Colombian. so He's not the Luis Suarez. And scored second-half hat-trick for Colombia.
00:14:55
Ken Davies
No.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the game finished...
00:14:58
Ken Davies
He's like the Colombian Luis Suarez, isn't he?
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
isn Yeah, I don't why they keep comparing it to them.
00:15:02
Ken Davies
Yeah. 16.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, the yeah, so second half hat-trick, it finished Great game, by the way.
00:15:09
Ken Davies
six
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
six three to Colombia. ah they That meant they got zero points and were leapfrogged by Bolivia. So Bolivia go into the playoffs. Venezuela are left scratching their heads going, how on earth did that all go horribly wrong?
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Commonwealth is now finished. Commonwealth is now finished. We can... we can
00:15:30
Ken Davies
18 games of qualification. That's how to run a qualification process.
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:34
Ken Davies
couple of quick points on Conmebol before we move on. So obviously, in the playoff tournament, of which there are six teams in the playoff tournament for the FIFA World Cup, there are now two confirmed participants of those six. A third of them is are sorted.
00:15:50
Ken Davies
Bolivia, as you've talked about. Who's the other one, Nick?
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
for common ball we've got argentina
00:15:55
Ken Davies
No, no, no. who's the Who's the other team in the playoff composition for the FIFA's World Cup? There's two have been confirmed. This is global.
00:16:06
Ken Davies
One of them is Bolivia.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh see oh it's um it's oceania isn't it's new caledonia thank very much
00:16:07
Ken Davies
Who's the second
00:16:11
Ken Davies
one? Yay. Well done, that man. i Just making sure you've been paying attention. and The other thing, just a note, I think the come about the CONMEBOL thing is how well Ecuador have continued to do.
00:16:23
Ken Davies
ah finished second in the competition after beating Argentina. ah And remember, Ecuador got three points at the start of the qualification. So Ecuador looked like a decent, decent team, by the way.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes Yes, so that game against Argentina was an interesting one. and they they were They were kind of helped along the way by two two things really. Firstly, Nicolas Otamende got his first red card in 128 games for Argentina when he was sent off after half an hour. So they to play them a good hour with with only 10 it was ah It was a dog's o, my favourite refereeing expression, a dog's o.
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity when he pulled down Nicola Sotomayor. Sorry, when he pulled down Ena Valencia as he going through on goal.
00:17:11
Ken Davies
That would be worth watching. Player pulls down himself and gives you away penalty.
00:17:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. And get sent off for it.
00:17:18
Ken Davies
Yeah. i mean, that's the kind of thing that does happen, though, with VAR.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Imagine if he was the penalty taker as well. Nobody can take the penalty.
00:17:27
Ken Davies
but Yeah, yeah.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the goal...
00:17:29
Ken Davies
Yeah. He got saved by Otamendo. Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but there go the goal The goal was was ridiculously... i don't have if you've seen it. It was a ridiculously soft penalty. And it's a sort of... So essentially, the ball's in the area.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two players go up for it. it hits um It hits... Who's the defender? Nicolas Tagliifico's arm. But whilst he's kind of, you know, just jostling for the ball...
00:17:55
Ken Davies
yeah
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The referee just waves it away and what have you.
00:17:57
Ken Davies
yeah
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then there's a sort massively long VAR check. So it turns out VAR's rubbish over there than it is over here.
00:18:01
Ken Davies
Oh, no.
00:18:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it gives a penalty. And you just look at it and go you'd have 20 penalties a game if if you're going to give that from...
00:18:09
Ken Davies
No. No.
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So very soft.
00:18:12
Ken Davies
Oh, dear. Yeah.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eno Valencia, as a man we've talked about in Ecuador, the mercurial, everlasting veteran, but still playing like a 21-year-old. Eno Valencia, national hero, has only cemented his national hero status by scoring the goal that beat Argentina. So, yeah, you're absolutely right. Ecuador are certainly worth a mention.
00:18:31
Ken Davies
They are, if you've got 10 pound each weight to put on a team at Ecuador at about 33 to one, are as good as anyone.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, for sure. Yeah, for sure. ah So, Commonwealth is done, folks. Qualifying is Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay into the playoffs rolling Bolivia.
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, well done, Commonwealth. Good qualifying campaign. Good qualifying campaign.
00:18:57
Ken Davies
Right.
African Qualifiers: Nigeria and Cameroon's Struggles
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. We're going to move on to... ah Where should we go? Should to Africa? Let's go Africa.
00:19:03
Ken Davies
Let's do Africa. Let's do Africa.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, let's go to Africa.
00:19:05
Ken Davies
The wind is in from Africa.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Okay. First of all, congratulations to Tunisia, who have qualified for the World Cup after a 94th minute winner against Equatorial Guinea this week.
00:19:11
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not Equatorial Guinea again, I hear you say.
00:19:18
Ken Davies
Oh, dear.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. And so he's off to play for somebody else by now.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's played for me by now.
00:19:22
Ken Davies
Yeah, Tunisia.
00:19:23
Ken Davies
Tunisia. He once got a postcard from Tunisia, ah from Tunis.
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And he's...
00:19:27
Ken Davies
mean say he's He's seeking qualification as the World Cup now.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he scored. So he played the first half at Ecuador or Guinea, second half for Tunisia. He scored the winner in the 94th minute.
00:19:37
Ken Davies
to see what it was like.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:19:38
Ken Davies
Try out.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So they are the second they're the second African side to qualify after Morocco, who've absolutely walked to their group. So well done to Tunisia for getting over the line.
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But I think the main story, everybody else is kind of rumbling along as as the African qualification goes on. And the teams that you expect to be winning, like Egypt and all that, are winning. I think the story really is two of the big so of the continent's big guns.
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
are in danger of missing out, and that's Cameroon and Nigeria. And in Group C, we talked about Nigeria before, saying, look, they need to get a shift on. Well, they still haven't kind of really got their foot to the metal. They beat Rwanda, which was fine, but then they couldn't beat South Africa, so they drew one all South Africa.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that leaves them, I would say, totally out of contention for automatic qualification because with two games to go, they're six points behind South Africa.
00:20:28
Ken Davies
Six points behind. Six points behind third place. ah They're 44th, by the way, ranked 44th in the world. So Nigeria would expect to qualify in a 48-team World Cup. They're in great danger. I think they are going to struggle.
00:20:45
Ken Davies
ah For me, the story of African qualification is Cape Verde. I think it's amazing what they've done. Question for Nick. They are obviously a very small nation, Cape Verde. They beat Cameroon. Fantastic.
00:21:01
Ken Davies
they They lead their group. By the way, in 2000, they were 182nd in the world, Cape Verde, in the FIFA World Rankings, out 210 or probably 205 at that time.
00:21:17
Ken Davies
They've seen amazing growth, Cape Verde, in the last 20 years. Absolutely hats off to them. So they are if they qualify for the World Cup, which they we do now expect them to do,
00:21:29
Ken Davies
They will be the second smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup. Who was the smallest?
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wales?
00:21:42
Ken Davies
No. It was good shout, but not Wales. Do you want a second go?
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:21:46
Ken Davies
European.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it going to be like... It's European.
00:21:49
Ken Davies
European.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It can't be San Marino. ah They've never qualified.
00:21:54
Ken Davies
No.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not going Liechtenstein. They've never qualified.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not going to be Vatican City because they haven't even got team. ah Who?
00:21:56
Ken Davies
No.
00:22:00
Ken Davies
you know
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
who
00:22:01
Ken Davies
Nick Pope in Goldberg.
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it Luxembourg? they haven't Their population's small. They've never... room
00:22:08
Ken Davies
I have to hurry you. It's Iceland.
00:22:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Northern Ireland?
00:22:12
Ken Davies
Iceland.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Iceland. Oh, is it really?
00:22:14
Ken Davies
Yeah, Iceland's got a smaller population than Cape Verde. I didn't expect that, but they do.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I didn't expect that either.
00:22:19
Ken Davies
they
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I suppose if when you go to Iceland, you do see that, to be fair. And I've been to Iceland, where you go to Reykjavik and go, oh, this is great. And then you drive for six hours to somewhere else and never see another human being.
00:22:29
Ken Davies
yeah Bjork played in goal, to be honest, for Iceland in the World Cup.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
you remember Bjork? you remember Bjork? That was a good one. What was that in 1916?
00:22:34
Ken Davies
Anyway, good old Bjork.
00:22:38
Ken Davies
So yeah, hats off to Cape Verde. What an amazing story. Can't wait to do our deep dive into Cape Verde. In fact, we've got to get a journalist from Cape Verde on that show.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah he's also the centre forward.
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah it yeah, and the manager and the kit manager.
00:22:52
Ken Davies
Yeah, and the manager.
00:22:55
Ken Davies
Emilio Nsue, his name is.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he'll be playing for them by then. ah So, yeah. So, Nigeria, I think, listen, go back to Nigeria for a moment. They are, the problem in Nigeria is this. They can't realistically finish top now. Six points away on South Africa and there's still two games to play. So, they'd need to win both and South Africa going need to lose both that's not going to happen.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the danger is they've only got 11 points so far
00:23:13
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yes, they can finish second, but you need to finish like among the top teams in second place to get a chance to get through to... So everybody in the group stages goes through automatically, don't they?
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then And then it's the sort of is it the second is the is the two second base places. You're the expert on qualification.
00:23:29
Ken Davies
yeah
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:23:35
Ken Davies
It is.
00:23:35
Ken Davies
well Well, there's only one qualification place. there's so There's only one berth for African nations in the FIFA qualification six-team tournament.
00:23:46
Ken Davies
So it's incredibly intense to get through the qualification, even to get on that berth. And then you're going to be facing the likes of Bolivia.
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:54
Ken Davies
So it's a real it's a real tightrope.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
you yeah're not They're not going to do it because if in their group, they're three points behind Benin, who are a second spot already. But the danger that you know the danger is they they just don't have enough points on the board.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, other teams in other teams in second place have got like 15, 16 points on the board already.
00:24:11
Ken Davies
probably
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they're just not going to get there, are they? I think i think it's all over for Nigeria.
00:24:14
Ken Davies
don't need
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And similarly, Cameroon. You know, it's not as drastic, but they still sort very much find themselves in danger. They're in second spot, four points behind Cape Verde, your new favourite team.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Cape Verde only need one. They just need one win, don't they? Out of the last two games, one win will do it.
00:24:31
Ken Davies
that because you beat cameroon in the last game yeah i reckon a point will do it
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, I think a point will do it. Yeah, I think a point will do it. So for Cameroon, they're up for second spot against libby with Libya, who are one point behind. They've got 15 points again. as Some other teams have got more than that.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they've got Mauritius and Angola to play in the last two games and they've got to finish strong. They've got to win both of those games. or
00:24:54
Ken Davies
Yeah, Mauritius are all great, but and I think Angola might be a tough one. And they've got to rely on other teams dropping points. Start to look dodgy for the Maroon.
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:02
Ken Davies
Indeed.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is. I think it is. ah you know I think Nigeria have got very little chance. Cameroon, I think they've got not much. Not much. So I think the story of African qualification is is the almost at the moment, it's the teams that are missing out as well as teams that are but are going through.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that brings you up to speed with there.
00:25:19
Ken Davies
Indeed.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's still a couple of games to go in October. I think they're playing those next month. So that will that will do that. um Right. Before we move on to UEFA, there's been lots going on UEFA because let's face it, for a lot of those teams, for a lot of those they're just starting the qualification.
00:25:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's
00:25:35
Ken Davies
It's interesting in a way they do that, isn't it? Because six of them have only played two games. Six of the groups have played five games. So it's completely messed up, isn't it?
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. it's the work I'll tell you why. Because it's the groups that have played very few games involve the the the key teams in those groups played in the Nations League.
00:25:48
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:25:51
Ken Davies
That's right.
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why they haven't got
UEFA Qualifiers and Ronaldo's Record
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
qualification going. So your Italys and your Frances and your Netherlands and teams like that.
00:25:56
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's a mixed picture.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before we do that, Ken, before we do that, I'm going to put you to the challenge again to see whether you can now remember the Bionique ad.
00:26:06
Ken Davies
Okay, okay. and Your body is unique.
00:26:13
Ken Davies
Oh, there's more, is there? is Your body unique.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to have to play this hard i go have to play this You're never going to remember it.
00:26:16
Ken Davies
and
00:26:17
Ken Davies
and and no And... No, no, no, no, no. And by unique... ah
00:26:26
Ken Davies
Buying are a specialist nutrition business yep that provides unique be nutrition. Because if if you're taking just off-the-shelf supplements, you may be getting too much of the stuff you don't need and too little of the nutrients you do need.
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
it. That's it.
00:26:47
Ken Davies
But with Buying It, because they do it 100% personalized supplements, you get exactly what you need.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keep
00:26:54
Ken Davies
you need No guessing. compared to off-the-shelf supplements. So, if you want nutritional supplements which are specific to yourself, go to the show notes, check out Bionique, get 40% off your first order with the code GSPN2025.
00:27:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
going, mate. going.
00:27:15
Ken Davies
Great.
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that was so good. That was so good. Well done. you got the You got a couple of the key catchphrases in there. I've got the ad ready to play, but I don't think I need to now. I think you've got most of it in there.
00:27:27
Ken Davies
No.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also when I do play the ad, which is you trying to sound sexy, I kind of need a shower after it.
00:27:29
Ken Davies
Excellent.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:27:33
Ken Davies
Oh, no, no, no. Me starting to sound as sexy is not for this time in the morning, is it, really?
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's not for any time.
00:27:40
Ken Davies
Nine o'clock at night with Tom Jones on the on the stereo, 1967, Quintro in the glass.
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, okay. and know what I know what you'll be getting up to tonight, in that case, at nine o'clock. Listening to bit of Tom Jones, of Cointreau, and listening to yourself read out the bio.
00:27:53
Ken Davies
Yeah, watching football.
00:27:57
Ken Davies
It's not unusual.
00:27:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was very good.
00:27:59
Ken Davies
Right, come on, let's get to UEFA.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, UEFA, some cracking games and some some super mad scorelines in Europe in the last couple of weeks to go along with some good stories. So we talked last week about Lionel Messi, who'd netted a couple in Argentina's penultimate penultimate qualifier. He didn't play in the defeat to Ecuador in the week, but he had scored a couple.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that put him level with Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time second in the all-time list of qualification qualification goal scorers.
00:28:32
Ken Davies
Correct.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cristiano Ronaldo went and smashed that during week. So he drew level in this week. He drew level as the joint top scorer in World Cup qualification as Portugal beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
he yeah He scored from the penalty spot and he's now level with the Guatemalan great Carlos Ruiz as the leading marksman in World Cup qualifiers with 39 goals. And what's the better?
00:28:55
Ken Davies
Yeah, penalties count, really. I think but you i know what what Ronaldo's like. If there's a penalty, he's grabbing the ball. and if he's cool Even if he's on the bench, he's going to go and grab the ball and take the penalty.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So is this, and is I mean, look, we haven't got time to discuss this. This might be a whole new topic for a podcast, which is penalties don't count anymore.
00:29:11
Ken Davies
Do penalties count? They do. They do. But, you know, it takes a little bit of the sheen off it for me. That's because um I'm penalty Ronaldo.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
what what if yeah Yeah, but what, I mean, Carlos Ruiz is, you know, he set the record a while ago, 39 goals, maybe 38 those are penalties. So he's saying that none of no them count.
00:29:26
Ken Davies
Exactly. I think we need to know how many are Messies or penalties.
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
always Yeah.
00:29:32
Ken Davies
I think it's just... Anyway, let's move on because you're right. That's a whole new episode.
00:29:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so maybe you get two goals if you score from 25 to 30 yards and one goal if you score in the penalty area and no goals if it's a penalty. is that what you're saying?
00:29:43
Ken Davies
Don't be silly. Don't be silly.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think it's me that needs to worry about that quite now.
00:29:45
Ken Davies
Don't be silly.
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right, so look, Portugal's still got four qualifying games to play, so he's going to beat that, quite frankly. ah result Result of the entire global qualifying campaign has been this week as Erling Haaland hit five and Norway hit 11.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah They beat Moldova 11-1.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I mean,
00:30:08
Ken Davies
Ha... Ha... Ha...
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i know. Yeah, yeah. I know. Well, look, Norway played five. They've won five and they've scored 24 goals with three against.
00:30:22
Ken Davies
and ah amazing
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, what
00:30:24
Ken Davies
and know and you know who that puts in serious jeopardy itallia
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we're going to come to Italy and in in just a moment. But yeah, Haaland became the first man to score five times in a European World Cup qualifier since who, Ken?
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:30:41
Ken Davies
Emilio Stuey for Northern Ireland against Gibraltar.
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're not far wrong. It it was Hansi Kranco scored for Austria against Malta in 1977. So, yeah, extraordinary stuff from Haaland, extraordinary stuff from Norway.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
We always say, though do you know what?
00:30:58
Ken Davies
Hansi Krancoff.
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
was a real but It was a real proper throwback.
00:31:00
Ken Davies
Hansi Krancoff. Who's Hansi Krancoff? You mean Krancoff?
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what I said, Kranco.
00:31:06
Ken Davies
Crankle. He was a player. Do you remember Crankle? Hans Crankle.
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not really, no. No, not really.
00:31:10
Ken Davies
Oh, I do. Fantastic player.
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's because you're much older than me.
00:31:13
Ken Davies
Fantastic player. Anyway, carry on.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
In 1977, I was barely out nappies, mate. I mean, you were just not retiring. So, yeah, I could see why you – just the adult variety.
00:31:21
Ken Davies
I was still in Nappies, though.
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So, yeah, um it was a bit of a throwback to the old days. You know, every you know like, we had this conversation a couple of weeks ago when i when I went off to Villa Park to watch England. And you go, right, okay, it's Andorra.
00:31:25
Ken Davies
No.
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got to be putting 11 past them. And you go, yeah, that doesn't really happen anymore. it used to happen, but it doesn't really happen anymore. You know, teams a little bit more streetwise or a little bit more of this.
00:31:44
Ken Davies
<unk>
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah don't see You don't see these massive results that you used to see. Well, we did in the week and Norway scored 11.
00:31:51
Ken Davies
We saw a few, didn't we?
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:52
Ken Davies
We saw a few.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah. So well done. Well done on them. um Republic of Ireland, let's just look across the water, not far from here at all. Republic of Ireland branded the worst result in the Republic of Ireland's history when they lost 2-1 to Armenia away.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the coach, Haimer Halgrimson, is now under extreme pressure because the Ireland are bottom of the group. and They've only scored, to be fair, they've only score played two games.
00:32:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that that defeat 2-1 to Armenia, I wonder if he's going to lose his job soon because the pressure...
00:32:25
Ken Davies
Republic of Ireland have been going through a very tough time for about five years. They've really struggled, haven't they, in terms in terms of any qualification, which is really odd because the Republic of Ireland used to be a proper team, didn't they?
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
did, didn't they? Yeah. Yeah. Do remember World Cup 94 in USA when Jackie Charlton had them?
00:32:43
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:32:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, they they were were they were a good side for quite a quite long time.
00:32:44
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. They were a force. They were a force. and it's all for some reason, Irish football is really struggling at the moment.
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all gone downhill since Richard Keough stopped playing for him. That's my theory.
00:32:59
Ken Davies
Yeah, that'll be it. Yeah, that'll be it.
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right. Everybody around the world going, and what's what's a Richard Keogh?
00:33:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was a centre-half. a centre-half who played for Ken and I's team derby. ah Played for a Republic of Ireland a few times. Anyway. ah anyway So, yeah, bad bad qualifying start for Republic of Ireland.
00:33:08
Ken Davies
Yeah.
Italy vs. Israel: A Dramatic Qualifier
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talked about a great game, didn't we, a couple of weeks ago when Italy were due to go to Israel because the Italian Coaches Association had formally called for Israel to be booted out of the World Cup.
00:33:33
Ken Davies
yeah
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this game was always going to have a little bit of needle. And goodness me, did it have a little bit of needle. It finished 5-4. It finished 5-4 to Italy. even during that came Even during that game, Italy scored two own goals.
00:33:45
Ken Davies
Last minute winner, wasn't it?
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
They came from behind twice. They conceded in the 88th minute. So Israel scored the 88th minute to make it 4-4. And then Sandro Tonali won. ah So Nick's the winner. The Newcastle man nicked the winner in the 92nd minute.
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Italy won 5-4. What game. Imagine the celebrations.
00:34:08
Ken Davies
Classic, absolute classic World Cup game.
00:34:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was it was quality. It really was. It was one of those madcap games with this kind of undertone. And yeah, good for Italy because they haven't really been doing much and in international football of late. They need a good qualifying campaign.
00:34:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wonder this may be just given the catalyst to kick on and qualify for them.
00:34:27
Ken Davies
Well, if they'd drawn that game, they would been serious trouble because Norway are running away with that group.
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
They qualify very often, Lisa.
00:34:33
Ken Davies
And just to let you know in terms of qualification, and just reminder, really, in qualification in UEFA, 16 spots for UEFA, so a lot of teams. But it's the top 12, because there are 12 groups.
00:34:44
Ken Davies
And then 16 teams are playing off for four more spaces. So it would have been it would have been pretty treacherous for Italy. Already looks like they're going to be in the, if you like, in the secondary part of the of of the yeah off the competition trying to get one of those four qualification spaces.
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second, yeah.
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I like to see Italy at World Cups. I do.
00:35:06
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. yeah Yeah.
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've got a job on their hands. ah Elsewhere then in UEFA, big guns started really with very comfortably. France, two out two. Spain, two out two. No problem whatsoever.
00:35:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Germany, who we've talked about previously, as we're not sure about. Well, they've got off to a bit of a stuttering start. They lost 2-0 to Slovakia before ah recovering with a less than convincing 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Northern Ireland had them, wouldn't say had them on the ropes, because Northern Ireland generally don't have teams on the ropes. But it was it was you know an away game for Northern Ireland. It in Germany. And for quite a quiet period of that game, when it was 1-1, it looked like they were going to get something out of it.
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then a couple of late goals.
00:35:46
Ken Davies
yeah
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah And that was the end of that game.
00:35:48
Ken Davies
Germany are pretty unconvincing at the moment at an international level. I'll be interested to see how qualification continues, but they continue to stutter. And again, they're not from the group.
00:35:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:58
Ken Davies
They're far from it.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. So keep ah keep an eye on them. Keep an eye on them. And then and then finally, England, ah who, well, last week I was bemoaning the fact that I went to Villa Park and Oh, it was such a dirge, mate.
00:36:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was such a dirge. England 2 and Doran 0, but goodness me, it was so boring and it was so frustrating. And England had, I don't know, 99.99999% possession and they had the just had the ball and was just backwards, sideways, backwards, sideways, backwards. was just terrible.
00:36:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And very interesting to see that come the end of the game, the whole stadium was empty. like I mean, we we stayed till the final whistle and we were like pretty much the only ones left. And England did do a lap of honour.
00:36:44
Ken Davies
the players have gone.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, well, they might as well have done, to be honest with you. ah It was really, really poor.
00:36:50
Ken Davies
well what What a difference a few days makes.
00:36:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable. Unbelievable. I mean, it was a fantastic performance against Serbia. We just kind of expected it the way around.
00:37:00
Ken Davies
The complete Thomas Tuchel performance, wasn't it?
00:37:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was. And I don't know, you know, i mean, say this time, it there was this time last week, wasn't it? The Andorra game was this time last week. I was just about to get on a train down to Birmingham. And yeah, sort of three or four days later, they look really good. England finally put in a performance.
00:37:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact, is it is it turn is it too early to say England are back? Is it too early to say that?
00:37:22
Ken Davies
a i think I think the difference is because they do still struggle against the low press. ah and and Serbia are a little bit more open to playing at home.
00:37:33
Ken Davies
England could play through them. I think England found it a much more comfortable. I think in England under Tuchel are happier when teams come on to them a little bit more, and and I think that was what really ah helped England.
00:37:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, so things
00:37:49
Ken Davies
well you know Fantastic performers, superb, incredibly professional performers.
00:37:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
two things are two things on that. Firstly, Andorra were better than Serbia. i'm not going to lie. They were just better. They were more organized. They were better drilled. They were more disciplined. I thought Serbia were terrible.
00:38:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really did.
00:38:04
Ken Davies
It's a bit easier, though, when you've come if if you've come and you essentially put in nine players in your own penalty area.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought they were wide open. They offered nothing going forward, nothing going back.
00:38:13
Ken Davies
I mean, Serbia are a little bit more expansive than that.
00:38:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, they were. Well, they were, but they didn't threaten Jordan Pickford at all goal.
00:38:20
Ken Davies
but No, not at all.
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if you're going to be more expansive, then you've got to do something at the top end of the pitch.
00:38:22
Ken Davies
But
00:38:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you can't defend either, well, you can't do that.
00:38:26
Ken Davies
it just gave England a bit more space to work with um um in the width areas, the wide areas and across the
00:38:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they did, but but I think it's worth noting this point that last Saturday, and and and I know I made this point on the daily Premier League podcast, which you and I also do on a daily basis, pretty much.
00:38:33
Ken Davies
no but
00:38:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
When I say pretty much, it does go out every day, but we've got other presenters well.
00:38:50
Ken Davies
It's about the Premier League as well, isn't it?
00:38:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's on the Premier League, but i did make this point when I did the Premier League.
00:38:53
Ken Davies
It's a podcast.
00:38:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is a podcast. It's called the Daily Premier podcast. It goes out every day.
00:38:57
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:38:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's on the Premier League and it's a podcast. I'm glad you've you remember that, Adam, right?
00:39:03
Ken Davies
Thanks. Go straight.
00:39:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
so So, and I was talking about this because wasn't like Andorra were incredibly well good defensively. It's just that England did not make any kind of use out the chances they got.
00:39:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, for example, rees james we played mostly down the right and Rhys James, the fullback, had the ball in crossing opportunities so many times against Andorra and yet chose just to go back and go back and go back.
00:39:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I was saying, to prove my football genius here, mate, I was saying to wife was with, ah the the the the one time he did it, one time too many.
00:39:31
Ken Davies
straight
00:39:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
said to her, if he does that one more time, I'm literally going to get up and lose. Why doesn't he just sling it in a box? Because we've got good attackers. Sling it box and see what happens. And within literally 10 seconds, he got the ball at his feet, just swung across it and Declan Rice headed it in.
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I proclaimed to everybody around me how much of a football genius I am.
00:39:55
Ken Davies
I bet you were popular. No, to be honest with you, you didn't need to be footballing Einstein to work out that it's more likely to end up in the back of the net if you throw it into the middle of the... Against, you know, 184 in the world.
00:40:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's the point. So it wasn't like Andorra kept us out. Yeah, it wasn't like Andorra really just blocked us out. It was we weren't we weren't making the most of our attacking opportunities at all. we could have And we did create, to fair, we as a Mr. Couple, Elliot Anderson, who's... Elliot Anderson, by the way.
00:40:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Elliot Anderson, he made his debut in that game. And in the space of two games, on my England team sheet for playing tomorrow, he's in and Jude Bellingham's out. I thought he was terrific. And he he knitted that bit at the midfield brilliantly, I thought, in both games.
00:40:24
Ken Davies
Good player.
00:40:34
Ken Davies
Yeah, he played.
00:40:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because can say, well, anybody can do it against Andorra, but he was great in both games. And he looked like the player we were missing in that position that allowed Declan Rice to just go and play much more forward in a kind of 4-1-4-1, which Tuchel was playing in both games.
00:40:50
Ken Davies
Which we prefer? Which we prefer?
00:40:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we've been looking...
00:40:52
Ken Davies
But having said any of that, England of 15 points out of a possible 15.
00:40:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you...
00:40:58
Ken Davies
All is right in Tuchel Towers.
00:40:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's it, well...
00:41:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, what well, absolutely. And what more could you want? So if you're looking at names already on the plane for England, well, you've got probably half a dozen, haven't You've got Pickford, you've got Gahey, you've got Rice, you've got Kane in that spine of the team.
00:41:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, Bellingham will be on this. I don't think Bellingham gets in my team at the moment.
00:41:17
Ken Davies
Bellingham has not been right, has he, for a year now, think. Just a quick one, by the way.
00:41:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:41:23
Ken Davies
I'm going to whistle through this. I think it might be an interesting thing to do, just to give all our listeners a sense of who are the leaders in the 12 UEFA qualification groups. Just give you a sense of who's doing well.
00:41:34
Ken Davies
Slovakia, a top of A, six out of six. Switzerland, the top of B, six out of six. C's between Denmark and Scotland, so obviously Denmark are winning in that. ah D is France, 6 out of 6.
00:41:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
to say, guys.
00:41:45
Ken Davies
E is Spain, 6 out of 6. F is Portugal, 6 out of 6. Obviously, those teams have only played two games. The next six qualification groups, that played five, so it's much further on.
00:41:56
Ken Davies
G is between netherlands Netherlands and Poland. That's a very tight thing, both on 10 points. H is Bosnia and Austria on 12 points each. ah That's very tight.
00:42:08
Ken Davies
I, we talked about earlier, in Norway running away with it, 15 points out of 15. Italy, somewhere behind. Jay, really interesting group. northmaed North Macedonia lead it with Belgium and Wales behind them.
00:42:22
Ken Davies
that's That's going to be an interesting watch.
00:42:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a good group. Yeah, that's good group.
00:42:25
Ken Davies
ah England, obviously, winning Group K with 15 out of 15. And in Group L, Croatian Czech Republic, both have got 12 points out of 15. So that's a tight one. So there's some really interesting group games to come, I think, in UEFA. The one team I would mention, by the way, who we haven't really talked about, who we've just talked about Norway winning eleven one Sweden are having a really tough start to their campaign. So Sweden, normally a powerhouse of...
00:42:53
Ken Davies
of UEFA football. they They seem to be struggling at the moment, but it's very early days. I think still think they've got i think you've only played two of the games. So, long way to go, but UEFA, as always, the pot is boiling nicely with the next lot of games to come in October.
00:43:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I fear that you're at a little bit of a disadvantage this weekend because you haven't got your pipe. And you only do you only do Kenny's quiz really, really well when you've when you've got it. I wouldn't put that in your mouth.
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
if
00:43:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, when I say, dear listeners, when I say ah wouldn't put that in your mouth, I imagine you're thinking all sorts of things right here, right now.
00:43:45
Ken Davies
ah people not watching in on video, it's a hairbrush.
00:43:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, if you're watching...
00:43:50
Ken Davies
It's the same purpose.
00:43:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're watching on video on Spotify video or YouTube, yeah, it's just the end of a hairbrush, not the end where you put your put in your hair. not that Not that you need a hairbrush, mate, to be honest.
00:43:58
Ken Davies
It's my thinking. It's my thinking hairbrush.
00:44:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But the other end, as is faux pipe. Let's see. What's that you're now smoking? It's like a massive joint.
00:44:07
Ken Davies
is staring.
00:44:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a deodorant. Right. Okay, good. ah Let's move on ah before you put more things in your mouth and end up choking. Can you get the toothbrush and the deodorant in your mouth at the same time? That's all I'm going to say. ah Right.
00:44:20
Ken Davies
That's a different podcast.
00:44:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't look at me like that. You started it. Right. OK.
00:44:22
Ken Davies
and said yes
00:44:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Katie's quiz this week. Let's rattle on then. General broad World Cup quiz. As I said at the start of the show, I picked these out of 50 possible questions so that I read on the World Cup, some of which were just so completely random.
00:44:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'll never get them. ah So I've tried to make these at least doable because I know you I know actually you research a lot of history because your job. in this podcast is to research the history of teams and clubs and and players and all that kind of stuff.
00:44:47
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:44:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you, well, the first one is which player across all World Cups has scored the most World Cup goals in history?
00:44:48
Ken Davies
Don't set it up. I know I'm getting none out three. don't Don't make it wrong.
00:44:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which player has scored the most World Cup goals?
00:45:05
Ken Davies
Are we talking about in the World Cup finals? Are we talking through qualifications?
00:45:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, World Cup finals. No, no, not qualification because we know that because we talked about it already.
00:45:11
Ken Davies
okay Okay, so just the World Cup itself.
00:45:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah
00:45:16
Ken Davies
It's a tricky one. ah
00:45:20
Ken Davies
Paul...
00:45:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll give you a clue if you're struggling.
00:45:24
Ken Davies
It's going to be somebody who's played in a lot of them.
00:45:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's European.
00:45:29
Ken Davies
European. ah
00:45:35
Ken Davies
Oh, my word. I'm going to say...
00:45:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
shout out at home if you know the answer to this.
00:45:39
Ken Davies
I'm going to say Gertz Müller.
00:45:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, mate. Right country, wrong player.
00:45:46
Ken Davies
Who is it?
00:45:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was It's Miroslav Klose.
00:45:50
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah, fair enough. I wouldn't have got that the month of Sunday.
00:45:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Germany. Yeah, 16 goals. 16 goals in World Cup.
00:45:55
Ken Davies
OK, OK, OK.
00:45:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:45:56
Ken Davies
I never got here, but I was and was closer.
00:45:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're very close. Yeah, well done. Yeah, you're very close with Maradona, which was your first guess. ah Okay, second question. Second question. What was unique?
00:46:06
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:46:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you probably stumbled across this in all your research. What was unique about the 1950 World Cup final? Never happened before, never happened since.
00:46:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And actually, to be fair, I should have researched why this was the case, but I don't know the answer.
00:46:23
Ken Davies
I will say, I don't know the answer, I'm going to guess, it went to a replay.
00:46:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and No. Have another guess.
00:46:38
Ken Davies
ah It was played between teams from the same confederation.
00:46:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. I'm trying to um'm um um'm buying time here because I'm trying to find out kind of why the answer is the answer. ah
00:46:57
Ken Davies
ah ah
00:46:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-mm-mm-mm.
00:47:00
Ken Davies
Both teams featured a player
00:47:09
Ken Davies
with who who was an amputee.
00:47:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Okay. I can't find the answer. so I'll bring it to you ah folks in next week's show. But
00:47:22
Ken Davies
What is the answer?
00:47:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I could just keep getting you to guess more and more random things. so ah The answer was it wasn't it wasn't decided by a knockout match. It was decided by ah final round robin group of games.
00:47:33
Ken Davies
Oh, that's rubbish, isn't
00:47:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's the only time it's been done before and since. I was furiously then whilst by whilst getting you to try answer this, looking why. I can't find out, but I'll bring you the answer next week. so
00:47:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or if you know if you know it, do do get in touch with us. And right, okay, and this is easy this is the easy one. This is the easy one. Who's the oldest player, the oldest goal scorer in World Cup history?
00:47:45
Ken Davies
Right, it's a very interesting...
00:47:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's the oldest goal scorer in World Cup history?
00:47:57
Ken Davies
Was it Roger Miller?
00:47:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, mate. It is Roger Miller. Yeah, exactly that. Well done.
00:48:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Roger Miller, Cameroon.
00:48:01
Ken Davies
One of three.
00:48:02
Ken Davies
Oh,
00:48:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was 42 years old 1994. So, yeah.
00:48:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:48:06
Ken Davies
my God.
00:48:07
Ken Davies
Thanks.
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:48:08
Ken Davies
I'll lose it in blank. By the way, if you want to tell us the answer to 1950 World Cup, why it was played in the round robin, send an email to roadtoworldcup26 at gmail.com. dot come
00:48:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, we'd love to hear from you. we normally do. and we normally read out your emails. And if you've got an interesting question to ask, we make it our postbag discussion. So i do get in touch. Do let us know what you think of the show. Like us, rate us, please subscribe. Please bring the numbers. Keep the numbers heading in the right direction because they certainly are.
00:48:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hope you're enjoying it as much as we're enjoying it. Last bit then to finish. Just not much going on at CONCACAF, but it's worth bringing you up to speed. We are into the third and final qualifying round to see which teams join UEFA, Canada and Mexico.
00:48:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's three groups here, imaginatively named Group A, Group B and Group C. You could catch it.
00:48:55
Ken Davies
That could catch up. catch
00:48:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't know what else you're going
00:48:58
Ken Davies
By the way, just to let you know on qualification, because it was worth remembering about qualification process, the group winners go through automatically. Obviously, three teams from CONCACAF already there because they're the hosts.
00:49:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's six.
00:49:12
Ken Davies
And then, so that's six. And then the two best runners-up qualify, ah if you like, for the playoffs. So there's two playoff berths at the international group FIFA thing going to CONCACAF.
00:49:28
Ken Davies
So the two the two best best runners up. So the three winners go through automatically to the final. Currently, they are Suriname, Honduras and Jamaica.
00:49:40
Ken Davies
Jamaica have got six points out sticks.
00:49:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. it's but yeah
00:49:42
Ken Davies
And that's our friend, think isn't it, managing Jamaica?
00:49:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:49:48
Ken Davies
ah Steve McLaren.
00:49:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is Steve McLaren's manager, right? He is, isn't he? Hang on.
00:49:53
Ken Davies
Steve McLaren is manager of Jamaica. He speaks to you only got to get to spoke the language so well.
00:49:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm looking at half.
00:50:01
Ken Davies
Yeah, Steve McLaren is manager.
00:50:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is Steve McLaren. Yeah, you're right. Oh, I've forgotten all about that.
00:50:04
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:50:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. They're my new team then. They're definitely my new team because they're good. They've, they out of the three teams in that group or sorry, in that qualification stage, they're doing the best because they've won two out of
00:50:16
Ken Davies
Yeah, they beat Bermuda 4-0.
00:50:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there's,
00:50:18
Ken Davies
They beat Tunidad and Tobago 2-0. Next group of fixtures in October. Steve McLaren has almost got his hands on the trophy.
00:50:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, whatever trophy it might it might be. and So, yeah. So, Honduras. um Yeah, Honduras. top Yeah, but I think they've got four points, haven't they?
00:50:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Suriname and Honduras.
00:50:39
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:50:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Jamaica have got six.
00:50:40
Ken Davies
I've got four. Andreu's got four.
00:50:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:50:42
Ken Davies
Jamaica's got six. Jamaica looking good.
00:50:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking good. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, that's good. Well, good luck. What a great way to end the podcast. Reminding ourselves about Steve McLaren. We should get him on. should get him I've got his phone number.
00:50:51
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:50:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got his phone number in it's way my phone thing.
00:50:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to look it up.
00:50:53
Ken Davies
Ring him up.
00:50:54
Ken Davies
Ring him up and say, we're doing a feature.
00:50:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. From when he... when
00:50:57
Ken Davies
course, we will be doing a feature on Jamaica very soon, I think, because they're to get there.
00:51:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, that'd be great. um I'm going to get in touch with him. And he'll like, he'll come on. your'll come Should we get him on the show?
00:51:08
Ken Davies
Yes, get him on the show.
00:51:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's him on the show.
00:51:10
Ken Davies
We'll do Macca's quiz.
00:51:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Yeah, I'm sure I've got his number from our time at Derby together. I'm going to look that If not, I know about 20 people who will be able to get in touch with him for us.
00:51:16
Ken Davies
Hmm. Brilliant.
00:51:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, let's do that.
00:51:21
Ken Davies
Fantastic. Let's get him on.
00:51:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Okay.
00:51:22
Ken Davies
that
00:51:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good. Well, look, thanks for that. 50 minutes of of brilliant bringing you up to speed. everything's going up for qualification. You don't now need to spend the six hours of research that I've spent and the 15 minutes that Ken spent ah getting you up to speed with all the qualifications because now you know exactly where we go heading into, that's, yeah, good good notes on your pad there, mate.
00:51:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Try and get that in your mouth, if you will. That would be good. Stop sucking your hairbrush. And, um, Yeah, look, you know everything that was to do with qualification. So bang up to speed, some good info, some good entertainment and some great games in the last couple of weeks. Right, we're back on the normal World Cup to Road road to World Cup 26 podcast trail next week.
00:52:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to go to Africa.
00:52:06
Ken Davies
Columbia.
00:52:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought we were doing Morocco.
00:52:07
Ken Davies
No, going Columbia next week. No, Columbia.
00:52:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've changed your tune because initially we' were going to do Morocco instead.
00:52:13
Ken Davies
We're supposed to go to Columbia this week and then you've made an an absolutely bizarre editorial decision not to do a team this week, just to do a general roundup, which in hindsight was clever.
00:52:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, to be fair, we had our usual production meeting. We had our usual production meeting that we always have ahead of this podcast. You weren't here because you were France.
00:52:30
Ken Davies
I was at the beach.
00:52:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it was me.
00:52:31
Ken Davies
I was at the beach. Yeah.
00:52:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah and And the production meeting agreed that we were going to do a roundup of qualification. So that was the thing to do.
00:52:37
Ken Davies
But next week is Colombia.
00:52:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, okay. I thought we were going to Morocco. Anyway, it doesn't matter. ah Right. Columbia it is then. Columbia it is. Happy days. so ah So we will see you then. Ken, enjoy the rest of your time in France.
00:52:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I will see you on Daily Premier League podcast.
00:52:47
Ken Davies
ah well
00:52:49
Ken Davies
Have you got a prediction for Nice v Nantes?
00:52:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
What? Yeah.
00:52:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's going to be tight because they're quite you know they're both they're both middle table teams. I can see this being...
00:52:58
Ken Davies
Very much so. They've played three games, won one, lost two, both of them.
00:53:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah i think I think it's in Nice, but is that going to be massive home advantage?
00:53:02
Ken Davies
But it's in Nice.
00:53:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think so. I'm going to keep an eye out for it, but I think it'll be one-all draw.
00:53:10
Ken Davies
<unk>ll draw I'm going 3-1 this. will. I'll have nice time. Bye-bye.
00:53:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that'll be very Nice for Nice.
00:53:16
Ken Davies
and well i'll love next time
00:53:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
having his time, et cetera, et cetera. And we'll see you we'll see you next week, folks. Until then, enjoy the rest of your week. Look after each other. Look after yourselves. Goodbye.
00:53:27
Ken Davies
ah by