If "sport washing" is about laundering a reputation that currently is in the trash due to increased exposure, was there really sports washing?
Day 1: Qatar vs Ecuador - Match Discussion Only Please.
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
5-3-2 vs 4-4-2, will see how both teams play
I guess that Qatar will be more defensive and not gung-ho.
I guess that Qatar will be more defensive and not gung-ho.
US has it on their jersey sleeve.
Mother in law just asked me: "Is that the cup in the middle of the pitch?"
A: "Yes"
MiL: "It's pretty huge, isn't it?"
not her best momentHas there been an opening ceremony?
I actually forgot this was on. 
Aw, that little girl smiling at the Ecuadorian keeper singing.
The officiating will be interesting here .
Hope Qatar get slapped
Hope Qatar get slapped
I tried not to get too excited for this world cup but FFS it's still the world cup. I love it.
Come on Equador!
Come on Equador!
Did they even show the opening ceremony? Didn’t see anything on the BBC. Straight to the anthems and KO now.
Yeah but BBC put it behind the red button.
Damn it. Didn’t even realise
Qatar team don't look at all Arabic bar one or two
Fecking hell. Is the Qatar anthem long enough?
Nice to see some Palestinian flags in the crowd.
Talk about that BBC.
Talk about that BBC.
I didn't either at first then couldn't be bothered.
What are those high fives all about
10 members of the squad were born outside of Qatar
The only player not singing Qatar national anthem won’t be picked next game. At best.
No World Cup host nation has ever lost in the opening match in the history of the World Cup. Qatar to win 1-0 or a dull 0-0.
Ecuador is supposed to beat Quatar, right?
Apparently BBC wouldn’t show it?
5-3-2 formation by Qatar. Haven't seen much of that in international football since Greece under Otto Rehhagel.
Snipers asking for clearance as we speak
Does anyone know why some (presumably) locals wear the mainly white outfit and some wear ‘casual’ clothes.. jeans and a purple Qatar top?
Just curious what the distinction is
Just curious what the distinction is
Doesn't LVG play the same? 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 is just a different name for the same thing
So many dresses, but hardly any lookers 
It’s late getting started
All from Arabic countries though.
The betting lines are super close. Plus money across the board (win/lose/draw) with Ecuador as very slight favorites.
started before the count down
CAICEDO! Finally a name i recognise.
Qatar's manager looks like a mirror universe Ten Hag
The hell? Qatar kicked off before the countdown ended. 
So that 10 count didn’t work out as planned
The BBC must be all over the place. It’s like playing Chess on your own!
Or we have got a massive sound delay.The hell? Qatar kicked off before the countdown ended.
It was adjusted for timezones