England surrendered control of Group Six with a disappointing,
embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland.
The Three Lions have come in for fierce criticism of late and the
tepid display in Belfast can only heap more pressure on embattled
boss Sven Goran Eriksson.
England were expected to brush aside the challenge of a team
already out of contention, but the Irish came out with a real sense
of purpose and David Healy's excellent strike 15 minutes from time
was just reward for a wholehearted display.
England definitely lacked the passion of their opponents, but they
also lacked the quality to unlock the door and World Cup glory
would appear to be a world away at present.
The Irish set their stall out early in the game, as they fired into
a number of tackles in an attempt to knock England out of their
stride.
With the midfield congested, Jamie Carragher took it upon himself
to fly forward and only a last-ditch tackle prevented the Liverpool
defender from carving open a chance for Michael Owen.
Wayne Rooney cut an extremely lonely figure out on the left in the
early stages, and he took his frustration out on the Irish, and the
ball, on more than one occasion, but he showed his class on 22
minutes when he cut inside and created a fine chance for
Owen.
The Manchester United tyro clipped a sublime reverse ball to Owen,
but he was prevented a shot on goal by a fine saving tackle from
Aaron Hughes who showed his class again moments later with a timely
intervention to deny Shaun Wright-Phillips.
David Beckham was another player who found it difficult to impose
himself on the game, despite showing glimpses of his talent with
his range of passes, but he almost broke the deadlock on the half
hour with a free kick. The England skipper fired in a devilish
curling effort, but the corner of post and crossbar came to the
rescue of Maik Taylor.
As England struggled to break through, the home side grew in
confidence and Rio Ferdinand had to be alert to block a Healy shot
at the far post, while a long-range drive from Keith Gillespie
failed to test Paul Robinson.
England's frustration in the opening 45 minutes was epitomised by
Rooney's reaction to a decision failing to go his way as, seconds
later, he flew in at Gillespie and was cautioned by referee Massimo
Busacca. His reaction to the booking can best be described as
petulant and prompted a verbal rebuke from Three Lions skipper
Beckham.
Moments later England witnessed the best of Rooney as he flicked a
header into the path of Steven Gerrard who drove into the box and
teed up Owen. The Newcastle marksman is lacking match sharpness and
his touch deserted him, which forced an ambitious overhead kick
which was gathered by Taylor.
Robinson was a virtual spectator in the opening half, but he was
called into action on two occasions early in the second. He had to
be strong to punch clear from under his crossbar, with Stuart
Elliott in close attendance, while moments later he raced off his
line to smother at the feet of the same player.
Sven Goran Eriksson threw on Joe Cole and his arrival sparked
England into life, with the Chelsea star delivering a couple of
teasing crosses which narrowly failed to open the door.
The Irish appeared to feed off the fervent support in Windsor Park
and James Quinn almost embarrassed Robinson with a rasping drive
which flew just wide, while the keeper showed tremendous bravery to
take a cross off the toes of the same player.
With Ireland buoyant and England falling further back, it came as
no surprise when the hosts broke the deadlock through Healy 15
minutes from time.
Healy angled a run superbly to stay onside and was picked out by a
quality lofted pass from Steven Davis. The Leeds striker still had
plenty to do, but he kept his composure as he lashed a powerful
shot across Robinson and into the far corner.
England's response to going behind was hugely disappointing, as The
Three Lions failed to raise the tempo and trouble Taylor, and with
Poland getting the better of Wales - Eriksson's men are now five
points adrift in Group Six.
Stockport's Warren Feeney came within a whisker of rubbing salt
into the wounds when dragging a shot just wide of goal, but it
mattered little as the Irish secured their first victory over
England since 1972 and ended Eriksson's perfect record in
qualifiers in the process.
Some people say England are one of the favourites to win world
cup,they are more like the great pretenders..Absolute lousy
performance,apart from a Becks freekick which hit the bar and a
lampard stunner England were like crap..Ireland deserved their
win.. 