yorta2

AAWW, that's spoilt it for me

An article from ABC News in Australia: Print Email Facebook Twitter More ANALYSIS World Cup: Thanks for a fun time, England, but Croatia's class told in the end By Dan Colasimone Updated about an hour ago Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek. VIDEO: World Cup: Croatia beats England 2-1 in extra time as Mario Mandzukic winner secures first-ever final (ABC News) RELATED STORY: Super Mario Mandzukic denies England as Croatia reaches World Cup finalRELATED STORY: Croatian players crash into photographer, kiss him madly while celebrating winner England's run to the World Cup semi-finals was exciting, fun and unexpected, but ultimately they were outclassed by the first team of real quality they faced in the knock-out rounds. With the 2-1 loss to Croatia, the Three Lions essentially hit their ceiling. Nothing encapsulated the sheer unlikelihood of England's tilt at the tournament than the "It's coming home" phenomenon. It's hard to remember now, but the song was sung with an almost totally ironic tone at the start of the World Cup, until it snowballed into a pandemic affirmation anthem as England progressed to the final four. Hindsight is 20-20, sure, but football was never coming home, at least not at Russia 2018. In World Cups past, England has stumbled at the round of 16 or quarter-finals stage, but this time around it scraped through against a James-less Colombia and a blunt Sweden. For a while in the semi-final it genuinely looked like Gareth Southgate's side were going to make all the football hipsters eat humble pie, and dump the technically brilliant Croats out of the tournament. Gareth Southgate consoles Dele Alli PHOTO: It's disappointment tonight for England, but there is no need for despair. (AP: Rebecca Blackwell) But it was Croatia which booked a date with France in Monday's final, a result which looked inevitable from about the time it scored an equalising goal through Ivan Perisic in the 68th minute. For Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, apparently it was never in doubt. "Those experts who thought that England would progress to the final are not experts," he said after the game. "If they were, they would have known Croatia are the better team." England used its weapons and used them well In the early stages of the match, England kept doing all the things that had got it this far in the first place; the players in white ran like demons, they harried the Croatians, they set off on quicksilver quick raids and they looked dangerous at free-kicks. Their chances were given a huge shot in the arm when Kieran Trippier fired in a superb free kick in the fifth minute. Having the high ground in a game like this is a glorious advantage, and England made it count for the entire first half. Croatia looked flustered as it attempted to instil its passing style on the game. England was bustling and buzzing and would not let its opponents settle. Southgate's side has not played the most beautiful football in Russia, but its speed, vigour and brilliantly executed set pieces have been refreshing to watch. Had Harry Kane taken his chance from close range to make it 2-0, it would have likely been too much for an exhausted Croatia to come back from. Harry Kane sees his chance snuffed out against Croatia PHOTO: Harry Kane missed a golden opportunity to put the match to bed in the first half. (AP: Thanassis Stavrakis) In a reflection of England's overall performance, Kane too made hay against weak opposition in the group stage before failing to really impose himself on the rest of the tournament. He is a good striker who now looks likely to end up as the World Cup's top scorer by virtue of his three penalties, two tap-ins and a close-range header, but reports of him being an elite striker have been greatly exaggerated. Croatia's talent proved too much Slowly, steadily, Croatia began to take control. After half-time, Dalic switched his wingers Perisic and Ante Rebic and both showed more accuracy and industry. The midfield dream team of Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric began to hum, with Modric especially casting his mesmeric spell over the game. The Real Madrid man should win the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, and probably the Ballon D'Or as the best player in the world in the last year as well. Ivan Perisic celebrates equaliser against England PHOTO: Ivan Perisic showcased an exquisite finish to level the match in the second half of regulation time. (AP: Alastair Grant) Like many great athletes, he seems to conjure more out of his slight frame than should be possible. He often looked tired, crumbling even, in the latter stages of the match. Then moments later he would spray a 50-yard pass with such perfection it might as well have been a relaxed training session. Mario Mandzukic is almost the opposite; a huge, powerful player who usually looks ungainly. He is capable of moments of his own, though, and it was his goal that sealed Croatia's spot in the final. The strike in extra time was a product of pressure, if not brilliant build-up play. Perisic won a header on the edge of the box and Mandzukic simply reacted quicker than his marker, John Stones. It had been a long game and a long tournament, and Stones switched off for a fraction of a second. And that was enough for the Juventus forward to shimmer past him like a wraith and lash the ball into the back of the net. It's moments like these that decide World Cup semi-finals. Modric's post-game comments indicated his side had used some of the England hype as inspiration. "English journalists, pundits from television, they underestimated Croatia tonight and that was a huge mistake. All these words from them we take, we were reading and we were saying, 'OK, today we will see who will be tired'." A story even more incredible than England's run So it's Croatia, the side flagged as a "dark horse" before every tournament, which has finally realised its potential and reached a final. While much of the narrative in Australia has centred around plucky England's progression, Croatia's story is even more remarkable. The country, which only declared independence in 1991 and has a population of just over 4 million, has reached one World Cup semi-final (1998) and now the showpiece game. It has battled through three extra-time games in the knock-out stages, penalty shoot-out wins over Denmark and Russia and then the come-from-behind victory in the semi, for the right to play France. A win against Didier Deschamps's glamour boys would be nothing short of astonishing. Meanwhile, when the dust settles and the disappointment fades, England can look back on this as a summer of celebration, rather than an opportunity lost.

I've never paid for one. I have had my feet massaged by fish plenty of times though, but for free, up in Kanchanaburi at Erawan Falls. Plenty of fish at each level of the falls that just can't wait for your to put your feet in.

Maybe End of Financial Year, and P4P prices will rise....

But with the loss of Saudi Arabia, Iran and a few others, England are about the only Muslim country left in the draw....

That burger is about the right size for me - looks great! Thanks.

I reckon he has found one by now....Or perhaps he died from the injuries.

So fucking sad! Sorry for the non-pity, but that is life. Atlas, you did say, "Only read this if you're already thoroughly bored", and I respect that, but it did start a rash off everybody's else's problems. The only reason for my post is that I have problems too, but I sort them myself, hopeefully.... However, I do acknowledge your problems as being those (usually) related to those we have to face in Thailand. And I do acknowledge that (probably) the other reported problems are just related to what we face in Thailand, I guess my rant is invalid. Bugger! Mai Pen Rai.

Teelak, if you are looking for a hotel not far from the beach, close to the nightlife, and close to Farang food outlets and bars etc., then try Jed Pee Nong Hotel. Pretty good rooms, good pool etc. Google it and have a look. I love the seafood in Huan Hin, and the night market seafood restaurants are great value, while the seafood restaurants down by the water (on the jetties) is good, but more expensive.

That guy wa probably Indian and using horse or goat shit as a flavour. Just sayin'.

It'd make an impressive door stop....

If you are carrying THAT much luggage (as a single traveller) I guess a smaller car with a gas tank in the boot/trunk might not cut not for you. I travel much lighter, carrying my oldest clothing, that I soon replace with new stuff, and dispose of the old for the trip home.... And please don't call me a 'know all', as I am sure I have been wrong sometime before. I think Nam's site is well put together, and an email to her would sort out your worries about the size of the car, without you immediately thinking that taxi drivers are 'retarded', and including her in that statement.

Couldn't you just Google SUV. A Sports Utility Vehicle, like a 4WD, but smaller and more like a station sedan. If travelling alone, you don't need it....

I'll be in LOS, but will be attending ANZAC Day services. Bugger!

Shit, I missed that too. I guess that Nam's Taxi is a bit expensive for that trip too. Only 300 - 350 for a standard taxi....

There is a link on here somewhere, but try Nam's Lady Taxi, Pattaya. Very efficient, safe and nice ladies: http://www.namstaxipattaya.com

Agree with atlas. You can't easily beat the system anymore, and been that way for a few years now.

Good on you, monkeyman, you've done it again!

I sometimes (when I am not in a hurry) catch a Singapore A380 to Singapore, just to enjoy the quietness and relatively better comfort, then transfer to a 777 for the onward journey to Bangkok. I definitely feel the difference. Safety - what the hell? They are both as safe as any other modern plane and, besides, if it crashes we're all dead anyway....

I have no real suggestions, but I have really gained a lot of great insights from PT and will support any ideas that come to fruition. I am a member of a few sites that have a coloured "Contributor" notice under the name of the poster, when they DO contribute, and that gives them greater access to such fora as (perhaps) 'Members Only'. It also encourages members to have such a recognition. to become a 'Contributor', and it only requires a donation of around 10 bucks per year, and the title disappears if it is not paid at the designated time each year. As I said, I do not have the requisite knowledge to offer much....

I think 28th for me, but that could change as my Thai missus has concerns for me (about me being there)....

I usually arrive in Pattaya in late April (after ANZAC, Day in Kanchanaburi) and find that it is bloody hot then. However, I keep hydrated somehow. Songkran is over and all is getting back to normal - girls are back in town, and prices for hotels have dropped.

Last time I was in London, awaiting a train to Paris at Waterloo Station, I purchased a 'Full Irish Breakfast', which was pretty well what I might call a Full English Breakfast, but with both black and white pudding added.....

Betadine has always worked for me, and I have had some pretty bad cuts and abrasions from a motorbike accident and from stupid accidents stumbling around in sandals in Thai streets. Chemists give it out readily.