and Slovenia don't even make it into the last 16.
So then, what else happened in Group C...
The draw of England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia was greeted by the headlines 'easy' in the English press and, while this is obviously disrespectful of the other teams' abilities - and you should never write a team off, England did look strong, very strong favorites.
Coming into the competition then - England qualified after one of their most successful campaigns ever - making it to South Africa with two games to spare. They even looked impressive in the majority of games, especially the home and away victories over Croatia. In fact they were the highest scorers in World Cup qualifying - so there would be fire power and mots of it when they took to the pitch.
USA were England's stiffest competition - a stubborn if not sensational side they always seem to qualify for the tournament in recent years. They put in a very impressive performance at the Confederations Cup last year, beating European Champions Spain on course to an unfortunate defeat to Brazil in the final.
Slovenia looked a decent team in qualifying and were well up for their first World Cup tournament. They qualified through a play off win against Russia - a team with more than a few stars and a very competent manager at the time - so Slovenia would not be phased by the the big teams waiting in South Africa.
Algeria were perhaps the weakest team in the group, with few players known to the wider world. My own allegiance was tested by the appearance of Wolves midfielder Adlene Guedioura in their squad - more of a player for their future though I feel. Algeria would be encouraged by the tournament taking place on African soil however, and also the way they had qualified - by denying their arch rivals Egypt a place in the finals.
OK - so what did happen I hear you ask, because you have obviously been waiting to find out from this very page...
Well, England started very strongly - for the entire first 10 minutes of the World Cup they were unbeatable trojans - destined to go on and hold the trophy aloft - no-one would come near them. Unfortunately, they would never again reach anywhere near that promise in the other 350 minutes or so that they played at the tournament.
When Steven Gerrard put the ball into the back of the net so early against the USA it was looking so rosey. To be fair, though they looked shakey at the back at times and weren't attacking with the verve they are capable of, it did look like England would see out this game. Then something very Bizarre happened - Robert Green - Fabio Capello's Number 1 choice keeper no less - appears to throw the ball into his own net! Now, any reasoning/excuses about the ball, the pitch, tae altitude - forget them now - a professional footballer should not lose concentration in that way.Elsewhere in the first round of games Slovenia defeated Algeria 1 - 0 in another uninspiring game that featured a goalkeeping error. So, Slovenia were surprisingly in the driving seat as we went into game 2, but England had played their toughest apponenets in the group and should fear nothing from what remained...
Well, USA came back from 2 goals down to draw 2-2 with Slovenia and England produced a pitiful performance in a goalless draw with Algeria. Calls of unrest in the camp, and team choice crticism followed but it still remained wide open as we entered the final games in the group.
England produced a slightly better display in their final game in Group C. They attacked and pressured Slovenia and a few lively displays - most notably Jermain Defoe with the only goal of the game - spurred them to victory. They still didn't take all of the chances that came their way, and could have been caught on the break once or twice. They would need to improve if they were to do damage at the tournament, but they were through and looking good to top the group as USA and Algeria were drawing 0-0 as the England game ended.Until...deep into injury time up stepped Landon Donovan for the USA to fire the Americans ahead of Slovenia and England and into top place in the group. Thus meaning that England would not play the second placed group D team, but the first - most likely to be old rivals Germany. A massive game that should happen much later in a tournament than the second round.
England could have had a potential Semi-final with the winners of Uruguay and South Korea. Instead they would need to get past Germany with the thought that Argentina would most likely be waiting in the next game! Reasons to panic? Damn right there was.
Yes indeed, I think most of the games in this group were pretty insipid. The only drama came from the US of A, their commitment to attacking football and fighting comebacks was like something out of a Hollywood movie. Gotta say by virtue of those performances, late goals and general tension I felt like the Americans deserved top spot.
ReplyDeleteWatching England was fairly horrible. Did feel a wave of optimism after that Gerrard goal in the America game. Everything afterwards was an absolute mess. Plenty of people to blame- from Rob Green for being a bit rubbish to John Terry for trying to act like a revolutionary and coming across as as a one man wolf pack. Bark definitely worse than his bark.
I tend to disagree with the massive criticism levelled at Fabio during and since the tournament. He made some mistakes, as did everyone, but has generally proved himself a pretty incredible manager in the past, including that spectacular England qualification you spoke of Mr. Bourne. The formation, playing people out of position, the hotel situation, the Capello Index all do seem weird decisions. Surely it's difficult to become a bad manager overnight. Then again I still have much love for the Sven, so what do I know...
When all is said and done the talent just isn't available to an England manager. As a Liverpool fan I'm jolly excited about young Joe Cole but can still see that he's something of an enigma with plenty of unfulfilled promise. Not always to be trusted, he was completely anonymous for the time he had on the pitch. Wayne Rooney needs to take some responsibility for whatever injury he was carrying and apologise personally to every England fan. Just face the facts that there's no world class goalie yet. We can cross our fingers about Joe Hart but it's still a wish on a rainbow and little more. Personally I would've played Peter Crouch but who knows if the big man could have done anything more on the highest stage.
The English centre back appears to be nearing extinction. Rio & Ledley are constantly injured so we had to turn to Matthew Upson. Things were so bad Jamie Carragher had to be talked out of retirement. Similarly the lack of options in midfield and Fabio was trying to coax Paul Scholes back. That's bloody bleak. Given that Gerrard and Lampard couldn't harness the skills they appear to have during the domestic season the lack of imaginanation was constantly predictable.
As for Algeria and Slovenia. Pathetic. Russia and Egypt should feel aggrieved and appalled. This is a World Cup, try and behave like it please.
Your lasts statement may have hit the nail on the head Mr Jo. Are there too many teams turning up to a major tournament knowing that the only way to get anything is to destroy a game? Perhaps the modern game has suffered from an underdog like Greece battling their way to winning the European championship.
ReplyDeleteI heard some calls that the World Cup should return to fewer team. Make sure that the elite crowd really is the elite at the end of the day, what do you think?
I don't think we need to panic when looking at the England prospects - when we looked at the teams man for man at the World Cup - we could at least hold our own. We have solid players coming through in most positions, we just need that spark and confidence to come from somewhere.
I agree that Capello needs to be given time and a second chance, but it seems that there was something not quite right about England and I hope that this is confronted and not brushed under the carpet after a victory in qualifying.
For exciting games USA took it, but they never looked great - not quite the side that had managed a victory against Spain in the Confederations!
Onwards we go...
But there were as many 'Big' teams who failed to perform as 'Small' teams. For every Ghana there was a Portugal. The answer isn't a smaller tournament, if you create an elite the elite will just sustain itself. There's still the potential for upsets, everyone just needs to chill out and beat what's put in front of them. Preferably with flowing, expansive football. Still gotta offer some respect for those who grind out a result and judge those who fail to break them down.
ReplyDeleteAnd further disagreement! We need to panic. Where are these solid players? In most positions? With the spark? Pah I say, and double pah.