The Game

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World Cup 2022: Episode 21 - The End Of The Road For The Three Lions Dec 11, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar and Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd are in London.

England are out of the World Cup. What have we learned from their time in Qatar, did they get it wrong against France and where do they go from here? (00:00)

Gareth Southgate has a contract until the Euros in 2024. Should he stay in the job or is it time for a change? (24:05)

Morocco have quickly become the feel-good story of this World Cup. Can they actually go all the way to the final? (34:10)

We’ve likely seen the last of Cristiano Ronaldo in an elite football match. How much has the last 6 months tainted his legacy? (45:34)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 20 - A Nauseating Fascination With Messi Dec 10, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar and Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd are in London.

Argentina lost a 2-0 lead but eventually triumphed on penalties against the Netherlands. Does this further back up Hugh’s idea that they’re really not very good? (00:00)

The game was quite feisty, the Netherlands comeback was a bit confusing and are we a bit sick of the Messi love-in? (23:30)

The dream semi-final between Brazil and Argentina is still a dream after the Brazilians lost on penalties to Croatia. Do we actually give the Croatians the respect they deserve given their recent major tournament record? (27:17)

It’s Morocco’s big day as they take on Portugal for a place in the semi finals. Alyson’s found herself a Moroccan friend to tell us what it means to people from the country (44:42)

It’s a big day for England too. Are France too good for Gareth Southgate’s side or should they get the better of Mbappé and co? (52:26)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 19 - The World Cup Of Falseness Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Tom Roddy, Matt Lawton and Owen Slot in Qatar.

From last minute u-turns to questions over the authenticity of some fans - what are our experiences of the World Cup in Qatar so far? (00:00)

How will Qatar 2022 be seen in the future? Will football ever be the same again? (19:22)

England are a day away from their quarter final against France - has Raheem Sterling’s situation been a distraction and how do England deal with Mbappé? (33:13)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 18 - The Business End Of Qatar 2022 Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is joined by Jonathan Northcroft and Matt Dickinson in Qatar.

What has Qatar 2022 been like for our journalists so far? Has the lack of alcohol and location made the event feel safer? (00:00)

We discuss our best moments on the pitch as two teams stand out (09:52)

Morocco take on Portugal after beating Spain. Do they have what it takes to make the World Cup semi finals? (20:05)

Croatia are tournament specialists, so can you really write them off against Brazil? (29:20)

Should England change anything going into the France game and what would winning mean for Gareth Southgate’s legacy? (33:03)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 17 - Step Aside Ronaldo, There’s A New Kid In Town Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar - with Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd in London.

Morocco have provided us with the latest World Cup shock - beating Spain on penalties to become the first Arabic-speaking country to make the quarter finals. Was it a case of Spain missing their chances or Morocco being too good for their opponents? (00:00)

Some are saying this Morocco win is a victory for Africa. We discuss the added importance to a lot of Moroccan fans (14:21)

Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 but didn’t need Cristiano Ronaldo, dropping him in a tournament for the first time in 31 games. Does he return from this latest setback? (22:55)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 16 - It’s Just Like Watching Brazil Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar - with Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke in London.

Brazil danced their way to a 4-1 victory over South Korea. Can anyone realistically stop them? (00:00)

Speaking of dancing - did their goal celebrations go too far? (13:12)

Japan came up short against Croatia as 2018’s World Cup finalists progressed. Do the Croatians have any hope of getting past Brazil? (16:44)

Hugh has been in the England camp and spoke to James Maddison about his involvement in the squad and Raheem Sterling’s return home (26:36)

The final Round of 16 games take place today - which teams are most likely to progress and what part will Cristiano Ronaldo play? (33:45)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 15 - England Set Up A Quarter Final Against France Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft and Tom Roddy are in Qatar - with Gregor Robertson, Tom Clarke and Alyson Rudd in London.

England are through to the quarter finals of the World Cup with a 3-0 win over Senegal - but as some fans were suggesting, was it a boring performance? (00:00)

Tom Roddy was at the Al Bayt Stadium and gives us his thoughts before we look ahead to Saturday’s quarter final against France (17:28)

The French proved too much for Poland, beating them 3-1 and showing everyone they have every intention of defending their crown. How will England handle Kylian Mbappé? (29:21)

Hugh ends with a theory that scoring the first goal is more important than ever if you’re the underdog - but does anyone agree with him? (44:35)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 14 - Messi Scores In His 1000th Game, But Argentina Look Beatable Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar - with Gregor Robertson and Tom Allnutt in London.

Messi impressed as Argentina avoided a late shock to beat Australia - but are the rest of the team offering enough? (00:00)

The Netherlands ended the USA’s tournament - but is the future bright for the Americans? (11:31)

Argentina will play The Netherlands next - are the South Americans good enough or do they rely on Messi too much? (19:42)

England play their Last 16 game against Senegal today - but who should Gareth Southgate name in his starting XI? (30:10)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 13 - Elation For South Korea, Despair For Uruguay Dec 03, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar, whilst Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson are both in London to look back at an eventful final day of World Cup Group action, with late drama as South Korea secured a place in the last 16 at Uruguay's expense. There was also a famous win for Cameroon against Brazil and Serbia and Switzerland played out a fiery game as the Swiss also head through to the last 16.

Hugh discusses being at South Korea vs Portugal and witnessing the incredible scenes as South Korea qualified for the last 16 (01:58)

Alyson discusses Andre Ayew's penalty miss for Ghana and how it completely changed the game (09:30)

Despite Cameroon beating Brazil, Alyson isn't impressed with Aboubakar's actions in taking off his shirt to celebrate the winner and receiving a second yellow card in the process. (31:22)

Gregor was really impressed with the quality shown in Switzerland vs Serbia and believes the Swiss deserved to win (34:37)

The panel discusses which team's could spring a surprise in the Round of 16 with Alyson predicting the USA and Australia to be victorious (41:58)

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World Cup 2022: Episode 12 - Germany Crash Out & Belgium's Limp Exit! Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar, while Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson are both in London to look back at an eventful day of World Cup action, with both Germany and Belgium being knocked out of the competition in the group stages.

The panel debate whether some of the teams are now only starting to find their feet after their third matches. Are they finally adjusting to conditions in Qatar given their lack of preparation ahead of the tournament? (00:30)

Did the ball cross the line in the build-up to Japan's second goal against Spain? Gregor and Tom have their say (09:30)

Where did it all go wrong for Germany after their elimination from the tournament, and just how catastrophic is their early exit? Can they rebuild ahead of the next European Championships? (11:43)

Belgium's Golden Generation are knocked out of the group stages just 4 years after finishing third in Russia - what now for the national side with several of the key figures set to be absent from the next World Cup? (24:30)

How much credit do Morocco need after qualifying for the Round of 16 as Group winners? How significant is this for African football? (35:17)

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Hugh discusses being at South Korea vs Portugal and witnessing the incredible scenes as South Korea qualified for the last 16 (01:58)

Despite Cameroon beating Brazil, Alyson isn't impressed with Aboubakar's actions in taking off his shirt to celebrate the winner and receiving a second yellow card in the process. (31:22)

Gregor was really impressed with the quality shown in Switzerland vs Serbia and believes the Swiss deserved to win (34:37)

The panel discusses which team's could spring a surprise in the Round of 16 with Alyson predicting the USA and Australia to be victorious (41:58)

Hugh Woozencroft is in Qatar, while Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson are both in London to look back at an eventful day of World Cup action, with both Germany and Belgium being knocked out of the competition in the group stages.

The panel debate whether some of the teams are now only starting to find their feet after their third matches. Are they finally adjusting to conditions in Qatar given their lack of preparation ahead of the tournament? (00:30)

Where did it all go wrong for Germany after their elimination from the tournament, and just how catastrophic is their early exit? Can they rebuild ahead of the next European Championships? (11:43)

Belgium's Golden Generation are knocked out of the group stages just 4 years after finishing third in Russia - what now for the national side with several of the key figures set to be absent from the next World Cup? (24:30)

How much credit do Morocco need after qualifying for the Round of 16 as Group winners? How significant is this for African football? (35:17)

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