So close yet so far….and indeed it’s still far

"....... if I was sentenced to death penalty and I get to choose the firing squad... I will choose Frank Lampard..... Why? 27 shots and none of them produce goals...." overheard from radio

Well, what I can say about this match. Dramatic, idiotic, passion, sadness and curse. Those were words that I can describe about this match. The first time I watched a match with Han Ching at outside a coffee shop. What to do? The entire mamak stall had been jam-packed. But the change of venue didn’t take away the thrilling atmosphere. I was hoping for an England win but once again they disappointed me. Everybody can analyze a game. So here I am sharing my point of view of that match based on my 8 years watching EPL experience. England in my belief tried to play safe with a 4-1-4-1 formation using Owen Hargreaves as the anchorman. I like this formation even though some argues that it cart off the offensive action of soccer. I guessed Eriksson must be influenced by Jose Mourinho in EPL by deploying such a tactic. In the end like what Mourinho always say out proudly, “You can dislike my team approach but I won the match and you lose…that’s what matter”.

But playing Rooney as the front man isn’t an ideal selection to me. I consider the team made a mistake in gambling him and it showed especially when the team introduced Peter Crouch... yup the gangling robot man… He’s the one that suitable to play in such a formation with all the high balls aiming at him and he shielded the ball really well too. Peter Crouch in my opinion should start instead of Rooney. The other reason why I say Rooney a letdown was his red card. He pushed his own club mate in Manchester United and caused England down with 10 players. The referee I must say is really kayu. The straight red is absolute too harsh. Rooney should be shown yellow instead. Nevertheless, from what I observed, Rooney committed the foul right in front of the referee and the man in black saw it clearly. Maybe Rooney will be the next Beckham as the most hated person in England just like 1998 when Beckham was red-carded for his retaliation and cost England to be sensationally knocked out by Argentina... For his immaturity, he had let the nation down.

As for England midfield, I must put the praise on Hargreaves for being the only bright player at that department and Aaron Lennon who later introduction for Beckham raise the performance of the team. Some of Hargreaves’s surging run upwards created opportunity but alas none of England so-called reliable finisher in Gerrard and Lampard managed to convert it. The fact that the most reliable 12 yards box shooter in England, Lampard and Gerrard didn’t deliver is what I furious most. Lampard and Gerrard certainly didn’t bring their club level’s form into international stage. Where is the last minute heroic of Stevie-G? Why the fittest man in England, Lampard looks a pale shadow of himself? At for the defense I must say that they had been exploited by Ronaldo and Figo from the side play. Sometimes you can see that Ronaldo are being given too many spaces to roam around and deliver dangerous crosses inside. As for Gary Neville, who just recuperates from injury played thru the 120 minutes! In my opinion Carragher should start in place of him considering that he had played in that department during the past few games. As for the goalkeeper, Paul Robinson which I admired when he was with Leeds United, undoubtedly, didn’t look like the player I thought England could rely on between the posts during the penalty shootout. He did had a few fantastic saves which I must said that kept England inside the game but the way I saw him in penalty shootout, he was beyond doubt, NERVOUS! During one of the shootout, he totally numb and wrong footed to the other side and let the goal went in easily. The lady’s luck clearly not with them that night despite even leading in the midway of the shootout.

Last but not least their captain marvel, Captain Beck who reduced into tears after being substituted out because of injury. Certainly this will be his last World Cup. He won’t be around for the next World Cup for sure. I doubt whether he’ll still be the captain under McClaren. Beckham’s substitution clearly shows that England can be an improved side as other players bring in new approach to the England’s game. As for Eriksson it’s bye for him. During the whole match I thought McClaren had taken over the mantle with him coming out of the bench shouting order to his team rather than Eriksson sitting there stationary. Disappointed is the word but what can I say? I always have this weird belief that maybe if I do something different like being with lucky people watching the game together then the outcome will be different but come to think about it again… I’m watching the game thousand miles from the arena and what sort of effect I can make to them. If I shout “shoot to the right, Gerrard!” or “dive to left, Robinson!” too, they won’t hear me unless I’m behind the goalpost during that match. So for all those taboo about “what if I do this…” or “… am I the bad luck guy that cause England to lose because I watch it” is absolutely baseless. Looks like World Cup once again lose its charm for me.