Normal service resumed
England 0 v USA 0
Day six of the 2022 World Cup and football - the main reason for the event - is still struggling to drown out the pre-tournament disquiet, much of it hypocritical. Sepp Blatter, that beacon of moral probity, suddenly declaring that the event should never have been awarded to Qatar. The West decrying Qatar’s questionable record on human rights whilst eagerly purchasing its Liquid Petroleum Gas. Boho leftie Gary Neville taking the Qatari schilling. And a select group of worthy nations trying to outdo one another in the worthiness stakes whilst still taking part. I trust there’s an award for the team which “Most Sincerely Displayed Moral Indignation”.
Away from the blather on the field of play perennial favourites Argentina and Germany both started poorly losing games they would normally expect to win against Saudi Arabia and Japan respectively. In contrast Spain and holders France both started well particularly Les Bleus who looked ominously sharp against the Socceroos from Australia. Brazil too looked fluid in beating Serbia. As for England, in marked contrast to the usual nervy start, they contrived to make light work of Iran - a side ranked 20th in the world - but in reality little better than a middle ranking Championship side. Events back home may have tempered their edge. But “You can only beat what is in front of you” and England’s 4,3,3 line up had much to commend it with Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka the stand-out performers. Could they therefore take the positives from that performance into this evening’s encounter with the far more threatening Americans.
The last time England played the USA in the Football World Cup was at the group stage in 2010. Of that evening they managed a lacklustre 1-1 draw fielding a team made up of the following personnel;
England: Green 4, Johnson 8, King 5 Sub Carragher 5, Terry 5, Cole 6, Gerrard 6, Lampard 5, Milner 4 Sub Wright Phillips 6, Lennon 5, Rooney 6, Heskey 6 Sub Crouch.
Fabio Capello’s boot camp regime would eventually see England exit at the last 16 phase and with it ended the feting of foreign born managers. “The impossible job” is currently filled by Gareth Southgate who has done better than most. But if tonight’s performance is anything to go by then his England side will need to raise its game several notches if it is to avoid the Capello legacy.
Earlier I described the USA as a far more threatening prospect than Iran and that is what they proved to be. Well organised and quick in attack over ninety minutes of football they were by far the better side and but for a lovely one touch move in minute 10 – which ended with a Harry Kane shot – England were wooden. Matt Turner in the USA goal was never once tested.
You know things are going rather badly when those three words “Bring Henderson on” are uttered. Yet once again the Liverpool libero was introduced, heaven forfend not to win the game, but to shore up the defence. Gary Neville may be pocketing the Qatari schilling, but his view questioning why Phil Foden and Trent Alexander Arnold are not playing is spot on. Watch Antoinne Griezmann for France and that is the role Foden should fill.
Will England EVER embrace Bazball? Surely it is better to go out with all guns blazing than hanging on in the hope of nicking a goal from a free kick. There would be respect rather than boos. It’s pathetic.
©Mark Brennand