World Cup is here!

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So the World Cup is underway and an easy win for hosts Russia against fellow oil producers Saudi Arabia. The hosts generally get an easy group so they win their opening match to try and secure progression deeper into the tournament. The home team sell tickets and TV time. Expect some interesting referee decisions to keep Russia going. Russia smashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 and no real use of the VAR system that has had so many mixed reviews. Oddly Russia are the lowest ranked team in the competition after the drug scandal forced many players to be suspended. Their domestic league structure means they must play five home grown players in each team and some say that drove today's result. Very few games are sold out in Russia and fans are frightened of the violence from the almost military hooligan thugs. But the hosts won and should progress and that has to be good for world football. Their team looks OK and i recall they also over-performed in Euro 2008 although now we know why.