I think I’ve become one of the people of whom Johnny Warren said “I told you so!” I never understood how anyone could enjoy watching a game that produced such low and inferequent scores.

But the game against Japan last week changed everything. The continual tension of side against side, both desperate to hit the back of the net leaves every other code of football for dead.

The parallels with Test cricket are numerous. The high speed thrill of limited over matches never can surpass the reward of watching endless hours of a test match waiting for a century or a wicket.

Last night’s game was at an ungodly hour… 2am… exasperated by a busy day of three sermons. But even the loss to Brazil was worth it. Croatia, watch out.

Now where’s my coffee…?

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