 The Orange of Netherlands produced a tremendous comeback last night against two-time World Cup champions Argentina in a stylish fashion through a sensational free kick that so what we go scoring a brace, but unfortunately they couldn't progress as they were eliminated through penalty shootouts to see Ajax as the winners of today of course England against holders France and getting to see who will clash against each other in another semi-final. Good afternoon, welcome back to the touchline. My name is Mark Zolosik. It's the fan zone who want to review what's happening as far as World Cup is concerned. The tournament that is Karelandawe in Qatar, 22nd edition of the competition, Ken is still with us. Barry Silas joining us. Good to see you. Very well, thank you. The teams you supported got eliminated role of them. Which were these teams? Suddenly this is Germany and Senegal. That shows you the World Cup is coming up. African champions and 2014 winners Germany. Oh my goodness. People still supporting Germany nowadays. At least the team I have been supporting all along though sometimes they can disappoint but they are still in the... Championship they would be playing holders France. It's the three lions. My colleague Daniel Rahome calls them three squirrels because they disappoint a lot. Ken, what do you make of the semifinals for yesterday? Quite drama. Football is becoming insane. It was really immense. The first game ends and you don't even have time to process and then Argentina comes against Netherlands and you still don't even... You lack sleep because of that because immediately after the Brazil game people are still talking about it and they thought it's going to be a clean thing for Argentina but the way Netherlands come back it was so unreal. We were speaking with Barry before we went on air and he spoke of how the Dutch usually play and how they switch to long balls. Vout Vegas did his thing so it was immense but everyone has to talk about how Brazil went out. They had a lot of talk before. The fans themselves were really hyping Brazil. We'd see this, we'd see that but Croatia they just keep doing this thing because we've seen them doing in 2018 and we can't even rule it out in the semifinal against Argentina because when it gets to penalties we know who's winning. I have a good friend of mine in Silas, he's the director general of Kenya, Abandrod's authority, one of the most performing parastatol heads. He was telling me that his workup is ruined because the teams that he's been rallying behind have all gotten eliminated but you see he's not disclosing the specific teams he was supporting. So someone can easily tell either Brazil just like yourself you said Germany and Senegal the African champions but generally it's been huge drama. Yes it's a huge drama. The tournament has lived up to its billing. Forget about the side shows, politics, LGBT, football matters it has lived up to 100%. What are the best workup tournaments? One of the best workup tournaments and I suspect Katara have been breathing easy because now focus is on the game not really on politics. Side shows. And adding to the drama is that we have something like a football revolution. The traditional heavyweights are going out so nobody respects anybody anymore so I won't be surprised in this workup. If a team that has never been there goes there and wins it because now people have more courage people are playing without fear and that's what we want to see in football. I think for me last night I was impressed with Kwaesha eliminating Brazil because I've never supported them but for Netherlands bowing out I really felt bad because I wanted Louis van Gaal to clinch the tournament. This is I think the second time or third time he's made a comeback to be in charge of Netherlands and quite unfortunately they were eliminated and considering what he's going through in terms of his health issues and what he has done for the game is a man who means well but quite unfortunate. Yeah it is quite unfortunate because he's one coach each time he's at the Dutch national team they've been able to perform. The last time they were at the World Cup they finished third and they also bowed out to Argentina on penalties so it has never been an easy team to play. We saw they did Spain in 2018. We saw in the group stages how Gakpo was amazing. They managed to grind some good wins. So it's just so sad for van Gaal but he's had a great career as a manager. You don't get to manage Man United and Bayern Munich and Netherlands again at the World Cup if you are just any manager. He's had a great career in managing and I wish him all the best and also for the Dutch team you should look at the squad that played last night. You take away Delhi Blint, you take away Van Dijk. You still have a great team. You still have a great young team. The Gakpo, Netanake looks like a real defender when he's down free so I wouldn't write off the Dutch in any coming tournaments. There's the Euro in 2024, there's the Euro in 2026. Hopefully there are more teams so they will qualify again. So it is sad. It was sad to see them go out but credit to Argentina. This is the game. It's a knockout game. You have to win. Be it penalties, be it a scrafigol you have to win and that's what they did. My homie and good friend Levi Musumba saying can't wait for tonight's blistering encounter. We'll see what we can do. We'll see what we can do. France vs England, if the lads come through it will be an epic deal. Do you agree? Ya, I know it will be a tight game. They've been bantering all of our social media. There's much hype around this game. There's a lot of mind games I think but there was also some scare earlier that Kylian won't play but I think it's just mind games as well. But it will be interesting to see those two duels especially I'm looking at the Wokambappe, Demvele and Makhsho. So the wings will be fire but don't forget in the middle if Rabiu is given space to operate, just ping those passes then the two centre halves have to tighten the back that is Maguaia under stones. So it is going to be interesting at the same side, this side if they allow those kids can afford them and Saka to run at them, then maybe they might be in trouble. But overall I see France as an age but the game is 90 minutes. We might end up 120 again and then final this. We never know. One of my directors was telling me to say something about Saka. Saka is a huge phenomenal player featuring for us and he has had a good outing at the World Cup in Qatar for England. I think Sofei scored two goals and he played against which team the last game they played. USA. USA, United States of America when people expected Marcus Rashford to start ahead of him and he played and indeed scored. So he will be a huge addition to the score tonight against France. I don't know whether Gareth Southgate would hope to play for him to start him or Marcus Rashford would start ahead of him. Saka starts because of the defensive he puts in. Yes. This French wingers have no joke when they get the ball running back at you. So your winger has to help or your forward play on the right side or left side. Actually Saka started as a defender. Most people assumed that he was a defender, right? Yes, he started off as left back, he played a left wing back. So it might be a better option to Rashford who is more direct in running forward because his speed is more towards the goal. And also I think there will be a big battle in midfield because we have two really immense young midfielders with Declan Rice holding it for England and Chaumini holding it for France. So I think that's where the challenge will be. Defensively you know you look at England their record at many tournaments you know. Magua has been great and stones they have been great and for France you know it's a new partnership. A totally new one, Varan, Upamecano. They are both world class players, you know great defenders, Champions League players, you know. So I think the whole dual depends on the wing play both for England and for France because that's where the speed is. The two full box walk inshaw, they are also fast but you know Mbappe has been immense this world cup. So this has the ability to be one of the games of the tournament. Judy Bellingham, the Borussia Dortmund wonder kid has been sensational and I think he was a huge asset for England in their weeks in the United States of America to qualify to quarterfinals which they play tonight against the world as France. Do you think he will continue with the same momentum? Yes this is a kid who can play I think another three world cups at 19 is doing really phenomenal work especially what you see is doing at Borussia Dortmund. He is a young player who understands his role very well alongside the Henderson, the experienced Henderson and then Declan Rice. They are forming a formidable triangle in that heart in the middle of England's play and they don't just cut, they also take passes up front. So it's going to be interesting also if they don't check that kid out he can cause some damage as well. Jordan Henderson initially during the 6-1 route of Iran at the group stage he didn't start of course Declan Rice and Calvin Philips at the one who started in the midfield but he is defying all odds in fact he scored a gold reason. Yes yes yes but you know will he be a great fit for this game you know. Especially the France one right? He did play well against Senegal he is when he got the gold he did play very well but will you start him against France you know because you know the midfield is really dynamic you know. Rabiu is a person who runs box-to-box Chiumeni is really powerful you know. So who should play alongside Declan Rice, Calvin Philips? I think it will be better off with Rice Philips and Bellingham as they ate you know. I think that will serve them much better because this days Griezmann in the World Cup has been playing sort of deeper behind Jiru in the midfield. So you need someone on him because he has been really sensational in that role. Muroko up against Portugal Fernando Santos the tactician for Portugal didn't start Cristiano Ronaldo one of the world's best in football. And you know the guy who did play in his place Ramu scoring a heartic. So it tells you. The days are Ronaldo. Yes but there are also coaches of like secret cards. You might expect Plan A then he introduces Plan B. So like this kid who scored three goals. He could come in really handy because some people used to maybe following videos of Ronaldo. I'm going to mark him like this. I'll mark him like that. Then boom you see somebody different. So Muroko has to be ready but I can foresee Ram but he's going to have a massive game in the heart of that midfield against Bruno. So and then we also want to see in that wing of Akimi and Ziyech more attacks coming to put pressure on the left back for Portugal. But also you have to notice that Sofian Buffal he needs to do better. I was disappointed the last game. What game was it? Was it Spain? Yes. They missed like three chances. Yes, yes. In big games, in big games. In big games if you don't execute your outs. So the forward line needs to be complacent. The back line is good tight. They can tighten on the defensive midfield. But taking the ball up front you need a finisher. And that's been the greatest undoing. Bruno Fernandez and Bernardo Silva have been immense for Portugal. I think the whole midfield even William Cavayo when he stepped in they've been really simple, direct and they've become the most important players. All the cameras will be in Ronaldo but you look at the work that these guys put in because they also give it in defensively. They chase back and they chase front. And that has helped guys like Joe Felix to really show what they can do on the ball to run with it. Otavio in the wing even Otavio when he steps in the mid or he plays in the wing. They can really get on the ball and do something with it. So I think everything in this game we trust Portugal as Baria said here. Morocco like lack that striker who are shooter. A person who will be in the box and everything comes in areaally he just looks like he'll get a goal. I think they lack that. It was evident in the Spain game because of the chances they missed. And Nezri has not been in the best form as their striker. So it should be really tough and they're also going against a really really experienced defense. So it won't be easy for Morocco but we have seen the past two weeks what you've seen. It's something crazy. Noel Kapisewa seen Japan, Germany, Spain. So we can't rule out an upset but Portugal walking into this game has complete favourites. Sorry to add a bit onto his input. Is that maybe Morocco need to put first players to pull those all defenders out. Maybe bring paper to tackle. You know football is mentally provoking. Quick ZH needs to cut inside. A lot of times are not only on this thing. You can also go to the other way and put a lot of pace on the ball once you take it up front. The drug play that you want to hold onto the ball. I saw Neymar do it. You have the ball then you want to do a lot of things then they are on you. But if you release the ball quick to ZH then maybe they can have a chance if they put a lot of pressure on that defense. A friend of mine was telling me yesterday that he is starting to doubt pandits because you remember when the tournament was starting and how pandits were tipping some sites to be favourites for the championship. It's not coming to pass just in case. Portugal get eliminated by Morocco and England beat France. We will have four teams at the semifinal stage in England, Morocco, Argentina and Croatia. And out of the four probably it's only Argentina who had a chance of clinching the World Cup because people's prediction revolved around the likes of Brazil. Germany was it really prominently mentioned? Spain. The Spain as well. So it means it's been an insane tournament. It has been insane. You look at the teams which are remaining. People before the tournament are talking about the holders cast in France. They might go out in the group stage but they... Or like it happened to Germany in 2018 after they won in... And Spain in 2014 also. People thought it will happen to France but they've just shown that not yet. We've seen Jiru breaking records. We are looking at Mbappé, this World Cup. People don't get to watch him match in Liguano by its. So they're seeing him here and they're like really... But that's the player he is. So France... Mbappé, scoring five goals and distance are big chance of becoming the tournament top scorer. He will be if he makes it past this really tight England defense because the Maguayan stones have had a great record under Southgate as a partnership. He will finish as the top scorer. But also you look at something else that this tournament has provided is a chance to look at how football has progressed in many nations. Something team like Morocco, you look at the Asian teams even some of the African teams in the group stage. This is something this tournament has provided because we didn't really see it in 2018 but this tournament we have seen that the quality of football has not just the Africans and Asians but also Europeans and North Americans. It has really stepped up a bit and football is really, really of great quality. Senegal up against France during the first half they were very impressive but they just became complacent during the second half and considered three rampant goals. Against England, yes. I think what... What can we say of Senegalese goalkeeper and Chelsea? I wouldn't like to zero in on blaming one player but I think also what happens is if you don't have the mental for 90 minutes to cope because if you are playing the first 25 minutes you are on the other side, you are even scoring almost scoring two goals. Then suddenly you go to sleep. It shows African teams also apart from tactics and techniques they need to work on players mental ability. These are all players who play abroad with these other guys. Yes, they have crashed together. Yes, our coaches here need to... even higher mental coaches for situations like this but unfortunately now when you are one ill done it's like you've given up so I don't know maybe this is something we need to work on especially with the upcoming players because a lot of these teams that are in the World Cup as well have seen them introduce other new young players Senegal have seen a couple Ghana saw a couple like... what's the name of the guy at... The guy at... Yeah, only 21. If you put in another World Cup he'll be 25 so if you work on his head he'll be a superstar. We just need to work on that element. Ken, yourself what are you looking for tonight and heading into the next week's semifinals? I think if you look at the back story between Portugal and Morocco they had a really tight game in 2018 and also if you look on the map the approximate Morocco might have something to prove against because Spain, Portugal, Morocco are really close countries so I think that itself there's something cooking there so you might see a really amazing game there might be an upset, it's football anything might happen but I'm pretty sure the game everyone is waiting for is England versus France because you look at the talent that is there, the Premier League talent especially for England and La Liga and Pundes Liga for France it's going to be a really close game France have the edge in terms of experience World Cup experience look at their goalkeeper Varan, Jiru, Griezmann, Mbappe even Dembele they've been there, they've done it Kim Pembe is out injured so we'll play alongside Varan it will be up on Makano they still have the option of Konati they're even playing Kunda as a fullback right now because they have a lot of fantastic centrepaks so France are also well armed for this match they have a hitter striker when Hurricane is on form everything that they sent to him short goal I think the game will be tipped by a super something from a superstar and we are not sure of superstars in that game I think sorry to add to what he's saying England might opt for what you call it they won't do much with that ball just release it to the wings target Hurricane Hurricane knows the weakness of his keeper and which lesson should African teams borrow from Qatar World Cup considering what happened to them most of them stood a chance of progressing like Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal but the complacency and there have been reports of interference with player selection some coaches and even from some of the legendary players like Samuel Hatof, Cameron Huiz in charge of their federation right now as president number one complacency as you said number two independence the team has a structure from head coach to the players and then number three attitude your attitude has to be right in such a tournament number four you have to have unity and teamwork the problem when we bring players just the other day like for example in the English Premier League they were released I think a week to the World Cup for them to come and to be cohesive takes time so I think going forward every coach you have to have plan B if you know some systems work some players are not available in time maybe you have a pool of 40 players and then there is no wrong with getting players even from the continent there is no rule that says all players must come from abroad yes they have vast experience and everything but I think that is for me what I would say African needs to learn will be attention to detail and also do not give too much respect unfortunately that is what Senegal did to England and now heading into the final which is set for December 18 in Qatar generally I am sure you have been impressed with the whole organizational aspect of the game and how funds have turned up in large numbers to showcase the game and even the general coverage in various countries despite the sad reports that you know one of the generalists covering the game from the US was founded and condolences to the family may God give them strength to stand with the big loss but generally can now that the heavyweights have been eliminated and we remaining with a few teams in the tournament still have something to smile about regarding the remainder part of the championship there are a lot of things to smile about because the first one and the most important one I feel for many football players or fans will be the possibility of Amesir Ronaldo final that's a huge possibility especially if Portugal make it past the quarter final and the second one you will just have to look at the advancement of Mbappe because there is a lot of talk about him when the season is starting whether he is going to Madrid will he still be the same player he was and he is shutting everybody up in the world cup he just looks amazing against Poland he was unplayable Matika had a really rough night and you have to feel sorry for him but that's the level they are going against and also I would say you have to be happy about Morocco they lost out of the bid to host it in 2026 but now they are showing people really really play this football show something great there is a lot of things to smile about but for me the biggest would be the possibility of Argentina and Portugal both making it the final but Argentina will have to be cautious about Croatia because if you go to penalties with them they have shown it time and time again they are not there to lose penalties and they are very very great takers so Argentina have to be cautious and also in terms of penalty talking a lot of upsets like goalkeeper for Argentina Martinez who formally played first and currently he is with Aston Villa and I saw him mocking Luiv and girl that he told his players that during penalty taking we shall clinch but unfortunately Martinez was the main saviour of his team and the same happened to Morocco against Spain in penalty taking and the goalkeeper for Morocco we save a lot of them I think it's been a tournament of keepers as well a lot of spotlight goes to on the pitch plans but keepers have also stood out the Croatian keeper, the Moroccan keeper the Argentinian keeper they have stood out and it's also a good platform for them to market themselves so don't be surprised to see that player from Croatia getting a nice climb I think through our cup we've managed to spot a lot of Kailan Abbas Kuchowa most of them getting noticed through such tournaments yes yes so it's a good platform for them and I'm happy that they gave their best in this tournament gentlemen thank you for coming through now that Senegal and you said Wales Germany got eliminated I hope Argentina win I want Argentina win because I think the tournament has been won in Europe 2010 Spain 2014 Germany 2018 France we need someone else to win it from South America or probably from Africa Ken yourself? the dream is still alive Portugal can take it on so we'll wait and see it's going to be a really nervous day because we've been watching the other games so everyone is not sure whether it's a win it's going to be a win so Christiano Ramesi two bouts last dance that's the ultimate thing solidify them as the best player maybe I ask you before you finish is Morocco in Africa in Europe? let's not get controversial the dream is still alive for me as well I'm rooting for England and they're applying old as France tonight at 10pm and I'm sure you can cut the action on KBC so we'll wait and see and let's continue talking and thank you for tuning in always a pleasure doing this every Saturday from 1 to 3 enjoy and keep safe