Where to watch the international football this weekend
by Steve
So, the league programme gets interrupted again by an international break. This weekend sees the first legs of the play-offs to decide the final spots for next year’s World Cup finals. Plus, a fair few meaningless friendlies, including Brazil versus England in Qatar in an exercise to make as much money as possible, and annoy as many players, managers and fans as possible too, by the looks of things.
Here we go with Saturday’s international sport on television for those in the UK…
- New Zealand vs Bahrain starts at 7am on British Eurosport for all you early risers
- Wales vs Scotland is at 3pm on Sky Sports 1
- Russia vs Slovenia is on ESPN from 4pm
- Brazil vs England kicks off at 5pm on ITV1
- Northern Ireland vs Serbia is at 5.30pm on Sky Sports 1
- Republic of Ireland vs France is at 8pm on Sky Sports 1
Plenty of footy then this weekend..fill your boots!
Wait until next year 
Not entirely sure I understand the point of the England Brazil match – apart from generating huge wedges of cash for those who have organised it. Why is it being played in a country whose climate is almost the exact opposite of the climate we’ll be playing in when we get to the World Cup Finals? If South Africa will be cold and wet next June, why not play the game at Wembley this afternoon? Good luck to the Republic, would love them to get past the French. Loved watching them during the 94 World Cup.
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The England understudies hardly covered themsleves in glory, did they? And Wes Brown hardly looked fit. Milner’s worth taking to the World Cup I reckon, just in case Joe Cole breaks down yet again.
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Hi Steven,
1. The England/Brazil game was in Qatar as part of the agreement that saw Brazil play England at Wembley a while back. In exchange for Brazil playing, the FA agreed to a re-match, wherever Brazil requested. Brazil requested Qatar, as part of their policy of touring the world for their international friendlies and reaping the rewards. So…England didn’t have a say on where they played.
2. Agreed, England reserves weren’t really up to much. Trying to find a silver lining, at least it was good experience for the fringe players – if any of them end up in the side mid-tournament, they now have a little better idea of what to expect. Milner did look good – certainly a decent squad player who hasn’t looked overwhelmed by the occasion whenever he has played.
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Thanks for that. I had no idea it was tied to that Wembley game. The climate was awful for Europeans though. IN fact even the Brazilians looked a little sweaty. Milner apart (and a tiny but decent cameo from Huddlestone) I thought the fringe players looked overawed. So at least Capello knows who not to take to a world cup.
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