Déjà Vu England

BY LIONEL MASCARENHAS

3 July, 2006
MUMBAI, INDIA

Former World Cup winners, England deservedly crashed out of the World Cup after being beaten by Portugal in the quarter Finals after a dramatic penalty shootout. The red card of Wayne Rooney was the turning point of the game, as it was 8 years back in the 1998 World Cup in which Beckham was red carded when he kicked Simone out of turn. 

England had the best mid-field on paper, but could not deliver when needed. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s strategy failed miserably throughout the World Cup as there was no coordination between the players, no free flowing football even lack of goals . 

The coach failed to deliver any goods for England, be it coordination, passing, play making, goals, free flowing football - you name it and England did not have any of it. England should choose their coaches as well as their strikers carefully if they ever want to an impact in future World Cups. 

Sven-Goran Eriksson did not have even a Plan A, forget Plan B. Peter Crouch at 201 cm / 6' 7" feet tall looked like he was playing in the wrong sport. If Sven-Goran Eriksson and England feel that being tall is the key in scoring goals then they might as well get the basketball team to play for England Football Squad! Peter Crouch has appeared 31 times for Liverpool and has scored only 7 goals and despite of this record, he was selected as one of the main strikers alongside with Rooney. Only Steven Gerard and Lennon looked convincing in the entire England squad.

Lampard had 24 shots on target but no results, Beckham did not have any leadership quality, Joe Cole were closely marked by opponents; and Peter Crouch, the less said the better. All in all, if England have to make any impact in the next World Cup they have to get their basics right and play more free flowing football.