Footy Fans

Poolkew · by **Poolkew** on Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:40 am

England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing a sensational game against Croatia at Wembley.

England went 2-0 down when Scott Carson, in for Paul Robinson, fumbled Nico Kranjcar's shot into the net and then Ivica Olic slipped in a second.

Frank Lampard pulled one back from the spot after Jermain Defoe was fouled, before David Beckham, winning a 99th cap, set up Peter Crouch to level it.

But Mladen Petric fired in from 25 yards to break England's hearts.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says England's players wilted under the expectations of the nation's fans and the spotlight created by the media.
"We didn't feel that kind of negative pressure," said Bilic.

"It's a bit hard, although they are world-class players and should cope with it, it is hard to cope with that kind of negative pressure.

"Wake up. You didn't lose the game because of the tactics. I admire your team but we're simply a better team."

Bilic's team had already qualified for Euro 2008 before Wednesday night's match at rain-lashed Wembley.

But they were determined to put England out of the tournament and displayed a cohesion that the home side sorely lacked.

David Beckham says he has no plans to retire from international football despite England's failure to reach Euro 2008 after losing to Croatia.
Beckham came on as a second-half substitute in the 3-2 home defeat by Croatia to win his 99th cap.

"Without a doubt. I'm not retiring," said former England captain Beckham.

"I said that the moment I was taken out of the team and the moment I came back into the team and I'm not stepping down," said the 32-year-old.

The Football Association is expected to announce England manager Steve McClaren has been sacked at a news conference at 0945 GMT.
The FA has been holding an emergency board meeting since 0830 GMT in London.

After his side failed to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren insisted he would not resign as England coach.

"I'm not stepping down," McClaren told BBC Sport after England, who needed a draw to qualify, lost 3-2 to Croatia

Poolkew · by **Poolkew** on Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:48 am

Hmmm so I guess the only good thing to come out of last night is that it will be the end of mclarens and beckhams interntational careers.
Fair play to a very good croatian side who came to put england out of the tournament.
They looked dangerous on the break, held posession well and generally outshone england for most of the game.
I'm still trying to get my head around the england set up last night. Surely if your going to fire long balls to crouch (who played well might I add) you need to get people in around him. Surely this is why we went with the 3 up top and lampard in midfield?? And because the we werent retaining posession when the ball came off crouch, it gave no chance to the likes of gerrard to get forward from midfield and the attacks came to nothing.
The introduction of beckham was a strange one, wright phillips was stretching the play and the supply from the right was good so why bring him on?it showed the failings in the squad selection when the two front men england brought on have hardly played any games for their club this season.
The mclaren reign is over and I may well be buying a croatian shirt next summer, FM legend luka modric is a real star in the making and showed up lamps and gerrard last night with a classy display.

The main issue is where do england go from here?
Mclaren was never a popular choice, everything he did seemed to be to try and win the media over, from his selection of captain to the time he spent visiting the prem managers...
The next england manager needs to bring proven success to the job, not a lucky uefa cup run, tactical knowledge second to none, man motivation skills to lift this side out of the current slump in time to qualify for the world cup and big personality to get the country on his side.

thats right, I'm calling out for a Jose.....

Poolkew · by **Poolkew** on Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:54 am

oh and we cant blame the pitch either...

Loopy · by **Loopy** on Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:14 am

i well wish jose would be england manager. we'd win it all! no sarcasm.

im so glad mclaren has been sacked xD

Footy Fans

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Mclaren out?

I'll get my Croat

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