The Hoodoo Continues...
Sweden 2-2 England
England finished top of World Cup Group B and will face Ecuador in the last 16 - but yet again, we failed to beat Sweden.
Henrik Larsson grabbed a last minute goal to claim a draw for the Swedes, who again caused England lots of problems. But this was the best game of football out of the three group games without a doubt.
Despite the early setback of Michael Owen's worrying knee injury, England played well, created chances and were deservedly in front on 34 minutes through a superb strike from Joe Cole.
But yet again for England, the second half was a different story. Sweden attacked us from the off and were soon level - Allback's flick on from a corner found it's way into the net, despite Ashley Cole's best efforts to keep it out. England then completely lost their way and set piece after set piece from Sweden, were continually causing problems - hitting the crossbar twice and having one cleared off the line.
But on 84 minutes, Steven Gerrard headed home a superb cross from Joe Cole and it looked like we were finally going to bury the Swedish hoodoo.
But as already mentioned, Larsson stabbed the ball home in the 90th minute after everyone in the England defence had missed the long throw.
England: Robinson, Carragher, Ferdinand (Campbell 56), Terry, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Rooney (Gerrard 69), Owen (Crouch 4).
Lofty's Man of the Match : Joe Cole
The worrying things for England now, are the injury to Michael Owen, who has a twisted knee scanned tomorrow. The worry being, the lack of attacking options for England. Also, our failure to deal with set pieces. There is no doubt it will be something Ecuador will be focusing on before Sundays match.
It also looks more and more likely that Eriksson is NOT going to play Theo Walcott...
So Sven, why exactly did you take him to Germany??
©LOFTY
posted by LOFTY @ 6/20/2006
2 Comments:
At 4:55 pm,
Anonymous said…
Corp
Theo Walcott has been taken to Germany for a holiday?
Now that’s cleared up.
Lofty great report I go back on my comments on your other report about which players need resting.
On a bright point we are in the knock out second round and now its cup football which we must know about. Also out of all teams out there Swedish football is most like ours and most of there players playing in our game was all ways our hardest test.
Sven must now look at his team and change things might be for the better. 3, 5, 2 or 4, 5, 1. He must also tell the team if PC is up front just coz he is 6” + tall don’t pump ball up in the air all day he has great feet we could try and use them.
Playing 3 (JT, JC, SC) Defenders 5 (AC, SG, (OH), DB, AL) Midfield 2 (JC & WR) Forwards.
Or 4 (AC, JT, SC, JC) Def 5 (JC, SG, (OH) FL, DB)Midfield 1 (WR)Super Striker.
Cheers mate when we all meeting up out for beer then Oh Cobblers in the cup again (at home) phew.
At 9:54 pm,
LOFTY said…
Cheers Corp.
I like the formation ideas, the only floor in the plan, is that Sven is in charge!
Pervious competitions( specifically Portugal 04 and Brazil 02) suggest that he goes into games with a game plan... the only problem is, he doesn't bank on the opposition scoring and Plan B is non existant...
Hold on? Didn't that happen against Sweden last night???
As for the beer, will sort that out, and soon... Uxbridge again?? I like it there ha ha ha ;P
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