England in Serious Trouble in Euro 2008 Qualifying
21/10/07 13:46 Filed in: Soccer
England in Serious Trouble in Euro 2008 Qualifying
England is in serious danger of missing Euro 2008 after a crushing 2-1 loss to Russia. Head coach Steve McClaren was furious over a decision made by Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo that may have cost England the game. England had a 1-0 lead when Cantalejo ruled Wayne Rooney tugged Konstantin Zyryanov's shirt inside the box. The foul was legitimate but it occurred outside the box, not inside the penalty area as the referee called. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored on the penalty shot to tie the game and he scored four minutes late to give Russia the huge win. “It is an absolute disgrace,” said McClaren. “We were comfortable, and they were running out of ideas. If that penalty had not been awarded, I am absolutely confident we would have won the game. We were in total control. I am not blaming anybody - but the penalty was given by a referee in a bad position because it was outside the box. I don't fault the players; I don't fault their attitude; I don't fault their endeavor - and I don't fault what they did in the game. Because of one decision, we went from being in a winning position to losing.” Read More...
England is in serious danger of missing Euro 2008 after a crushing 2-1 loss to Russia. Head coach Steve McClaren was furious over a decision made by Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo that may have cost England the game. England had a 1-0 lead when Cantalejo ruled Wayne Rooney tugged Konstantin Zyryanov's shirt inside the box. The foul was legitimate but it occurred outside the box, not inside the penalty area as the referee called. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored on the penalty shot to tie the game and he scored four minutes late to give Russia the huge win. “It is an absolute disgrace,” said McClaren. “We were comfortable, and they were running out of ideas. If that penalty had not been awarded, I am absolutely confident we would have won the game. We were in total control. I am not blaming anybody - but the penalty was given by a referee in a bad position because it was outside the box. I don't fault the players; I don't fault their attitude; I don't fault their endeavor - and I don't fault what they did in the game. Because of one decision, we went from being in a winning position to losing.” Read More...
Euro 2008 Qualifiers
11/09/07 16:48 Filed in: Soccer
Euro 2008 Qualifying Update
Group B action in Euro 2008 qualifying had last year’s World Cup finalists Italy and France playing to a 0-0 tie in Milan over the weekend. It was a devastating tie for Italy that badly needed a victory. The Italians are now in third place with just four matches remaining. France leads Group B with 19 points. Scotland, which beat Lithuania 3-1, is next with 18 points, followed by Italy with 17. Only the top two teams in each of the seven groups qualify along with co-hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Croatia and Russia retained the top two places ahead of England in Group E. Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva scored two goals as Croatia defeated Estonia 2-0. The Croatians still lead the group with 20 points. Russia was a 3-0 winner against Macedonia and is still one point ahead of England with 18 points. The English got a 3-0 win over Israel at Wembley thanks to goals by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards. England is now in better shape and has a key game against Russia on Wednesday with the loser of that game in serious trouble. England has 17 points from eight games and Israel has 17 points from nine.
Miroslav Klose scored both goals for Germany in their 2-0 win at Wales.
Germany is five points ahead of the Czech Republic at the top of Group D.
"It was a wonderful experience to be captain, but the important thing was the three points," Klose said. "We have a comfortable lead and we should keep playing like this." The Czech Republic got goals from Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller in a 3-0 win over San Marino. The Czechs are still three points in front of Ireland who is in third place.
Romania leads Group G by three points over the Netherlands who is in second place in the group after a 2-0 win against Bulgaria. Romania got a 3-1 win against Belarus. Bulgaria is two points behind the Netherlands in the group.
Poland leads Group A with 20 points, two more than Finland, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia. Portugal is third with 16 points, one more than Serbia.
Sweden, which was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Denmark, leads Group F with 19 points, three more both than Northern Ireland and Spain.
Greece leads Group C with 18 points followed by Norway with 16 and Turkey with 14.
Group B action in Euro 2008 qualifying had last year’s World Cup finalists Italy and France playing to a 0-0 tie in Milan over the weekend. It was a devastating tie for Italy that badly needed a victory. The Italians are now in third place with just four matches remaining. France leads Group B with 19 points. Scotland, which beat Lithuania 3-1, is next with 18 points, followed by Italy with 17. Only the top two teams in each of the seven groups qualify along with co-hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Croatia and Russia retained the top two places ahead of England in Group E. Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva scored two goals as Croatia defeated Estonia 2-0. The Croatians still lead the group with 20 points. Russia was a 3-0 winner against Macedonia and is still one point ahead of England with 18 points. The English got a 3-0 win over Israel at Wembley thanks to goals by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards. England is now in better shape and has a key game against Russia on Wednesday with the loser of that game in serious trouble. England has 17 points from eight games and Israel has 17 points from nine.
Miroslav Klose scored both goals for Germany in their 2-0 win at Wales.
Germany is five points ahead of the Czech Republic at the top of Group D.
"It was a wonderful experience to be captain, but the important thing was the three points," Klose said. "We have a comfortable lead and we should keep playing like this." The Czech Republic got goals from Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller in a 3-0 win over San Marino. The Czechs are still three points in front of Ireland who is in third place.
Romania leads Group G by three points over the Netherlands who is in second place in the group after a 2-0 win against Bulgaria. Romania got a 3-1 win against Belarus. Bulgaria is two points behind the Netherlands in the group.
Poland leads Group A with 20 points, two more than Finland, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia. Portugal is third with 16 points, one more than Serbia.
Sweden, which was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Denmark, leads Group F with 19 points, three more both than Northern Ireland and Spain.
Greece leads Group C with 18 points followed by Norway with 16 and Turkey with 14.