Embarrassed in Belfast

[Madferret]

Embarrassed in Belfast

LONDON (AP) -- England's World Cup qualifying bid was stalled by a stunning 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, while Thierry Henry revived France's chances of making it to next year's tournament in Germany.

David Healy's 74th-minute goal gave Northern Ireland its first win over England since 1972 -- and first in Belfast in 78 years. Canada defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 at the same venue in February.

It was the most embarrassing loss in Sven-Goran Eriksson's four-year reign as England coach and followed the team's 4-1 defeat to Denmark in a friendly three weeks ago. It was also the Swede's first defeat in 22 qualifying games after 17 wins and four ties.

The result will give more ammunition to Eriksson's many critics. England fans at the game chanted for Eriksson to go, and the British papers are sure to go on the attack.

"I'm not going to resign," Eriksson said. "I am going to try and make it right in October, win two games and we've qualified. We still have it in our hands and it's up to us in October to make the six points." England captain David Beckham said Eriksson and assistant coach Steve McLaren had "strong words" for the players after the match.

"Tonight it has been a bit of an embarrassment for the lads," he said. "Tonight hurts more than any night probably." The loss leaves England five points behind Poland in Group 6, although the Poles have played one more game. Eriksson's team is guaranteed at least a playoff spot because third-place Austria was held 0-0 by Azerbaijan.

No doubt scores of soccer pundits in England will be calling for the resignation of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson -- who ensures he will not bow to pressure.

Pathetic. SGE's decision to play 1-5-4 is mind boggling. SGE's decision to start Owen over Cole is mind boggling. Why SGE is still in charge of this team is mind boggling. For shame SGE..

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/sportsnet_story_images/wednesday/rooney.jpg

[J.R.]

Pathetic. SGE's decision to play 1-5-4 is mind boggling. SGE's decision to start Owen over Cole is mind boggling. Why SGE is still in charge of this team is mind boggling. For shame SGE..

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/sportsnet_story_images/wednesday/rooney.jpg Maybe it's time for me to realize Eriksson is the not the right skip for The Three Lions. :doh:

Losing to Ireland is bad enough. But Northern Ireland? WTF? When I received the email re-cap this afternoon from The F.A. I just sunk in my seat. England should have qualified by now. A 0-1 loss to any team in Group Six is unacceptable.

:burning:

[Madferret]

Maybe it's time for me to realize Eriksson is the not the right skip for The Three Lions. :doh:

Losing to Ireland is bad enough. But Northern Ireland? WTF? When I received the email re-cap this afternoon from The F.A. I just sunk in my seat. England should have qualified by now. A 0-1 loss to any team in Group Six is unacceptable.

:burning:

If England fail to qualify, which is a strong possibility after today's result, then SGE should be a goner. Group 6 is the weakest group of the 8 European Groups, and you're dead right when you say they should have qualified by now. Remember when FIFA last ranked England 7th in the World? Shows you how serious you should take FIFA's 'rankings' Junes..

[a4l]

I am at a loss for words. SGE should never have been hired, I said it when he was hired and have said it ever since. That showing was nothing short of pathetic.
Maybe England really is worse than the USA.

[Madferret]

Sven-Gone Eriksson?

LONDON (AP) -- Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson faced a chorus of condemnation from fans and the media Thursday after England's stunning 1-0 loss to modest Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier.

It was only the Swede's first defeat in 22 qualifying games, but some of the English papers suggested it should be his last match. While the papers threw their support behind England's cricketers in the final Ashes Test against Australia, they also devoted front and back pages to the soccer's team's latest setback.

"Trashes," blared the Sun's backpage headline. On the front page, the Sun had a message for the coach: "Taxi for Eriksson." Eriksson had suggested before the game that his England side was capable of beating five-time and defending World Cup champion Brazil -- words that came back to haunt him.

"Now Sven can't defeat Northern Ireland" and "Sack the Swede," headlined the Daily Mail. Northern Ireland, which can't qualify for Germany 2006, is ranked 116th in the world by FIFA. It hadn't scored against England in eight games since 1980 and hadn't beaten its neighbour in Belfast in 78 years. Northern Ireland was beaten 1-0 by Canada in February.

But its team of journeymen outplayed England's highly paid stars at Windsor Park, with David Healy's goal 16 minutes from the end capping one of the greatest victories in the team's history. By contrast, for England, it was perhaps the most embarrassing defeat since the 1-0 World Cup loss to the United States in 1950. It comes off a 4-1 loss to Denmark in a friendly three weeks ago and an unconvincing 1-0 win over Wales in a World Cup qualifier last weekend.

The question now is whether Eriksson, who is paid close to five million pounds ($10.9 million Cdn) a year in a contract running through 2008, should stay on. "I'm not going to resign," Eriksson said. "I am going to try and make it right in October, win two games and we've qualified."

If the Football Association fired him, it would have to pay a huge amount of compensation. Some papers say it would be worth it..

"Sacking Eriksson, however great the expense, must be an option when no one can deny how great an opportunity next summer's World Cup represents," the Daily Mail said. "Eriksson has vastly talented players to choose from but no idea how to choose them. Clearly you do not get much for five million pounds."

Eriksson has changed the squad formation in recent games and the players have looked confused on the field. "There has been a staleness about Eriksson's stewardship in the past few months; even the head coach has appeared weary," said the Times, under the headline "Sven's nightmare."

Also under scrutiny is Wayne Rooney, who aimed a barrage of expletives at teammates, opponents and match officials in reaction to a series of fouls.

The 19-year-old striker, who has been in standout form for Manchester United but appears puzzled by Eriksson's instructions, received a yellow card for lashing out at several Northern Ireland players and will miss next month's qualifier against Austria.

"Disgrace. As well as England losing the tie, Wayne Rooney spectacularly lost the plot," said the Daily Telegraph. "Patently unhappy at being used out wide, Rooney's fuse was soon burning." Despite the gloom, England's chances of reaching the World Cup remain good. England is five points behind leader Poland, but is so far ahead of third-place Austria that it has guaranteed at least a playoff spot.

If England beats Austria, it could even earn direct qualification by securing one of the two best runner-up spots. The Swede is set to earn close to five million pounds ($10.9 million Cdn) a year in a contract running through 2008.

I'm still scratching my head about him 'trying out' formations and starters in a WC qualifier.

[bluemeanie]

I'm still scratching my head about him 'trying out' formations and starters in a WC qualifier.

Theeerre's looooots of time.... All he needs to do is win 2 in October. The 'lads' will pull it together. :conspire:

Right...he's as good as gone.

[a4l]

England had better make it. I have all my World Cup regalia picked out and ready. I will be really upset if I have to cheer for France instead.

[bluemeanie]

England had better make it. I have all my World Cup regalia picked out and ready. I will be really upset if I have to cheer for France instead.

Don't get too upset, A4l... we don't want the three stooges showing up again, do we? =]

[Madferret]

England had better make it. I have all my World Cup regalia picked out and ready. I will be really upset if I have to cheer for France instead.

Sue, how do you go from cheering for England to France...lol
Cheer for the Oranje if England fails to qualify. This is our year.. ;)

[bluemeanie]

Sue, how do you go from cheering for England to France...lol
Cheer for the Oranje if England fails to qualify. This is our year.. ;)

I don't know Dev, unfortunatly I don't think any European team is going to take it this year. Obviosuly the usual suspects can't be counted out entirely, but nobody's really making much noise right now in Europe. Germany actually has the best odds from Europe... (home advantage)... but, yeah I see Netherlands as having a solid advantage for the road to the final. But, England...

[J.R.]

Theeerre's looooots of time.... All he needs to do is win 2 in October. The 'lads' will pull it together. :conspire: Yep. They only need to beat Austria, then that sets up a 'Winner Qualifies For The 2006 World Cup' game on October 12th against Poland. (I think I'll be PPVing that match.) Fortunately those last two games are at Old Trafford. England will win the group. See you in Deutschland.

[a4l]

Sue, how do you go from cheering for England to France...lol
Cheer for the Oranje if England fails to qualify. This is our year.. ;)

It is easy for an Arsenal fan to cheer for France. ;) Oranje is #3. I have a crown to wear for that one.

[TimmyTabasco]

Damn

The dirty northern micks beat the old limeys

Oh well, another one bites the dust :nod:

[J.R.]

England will qualify, while Ireland and Northern Ireland will both be at home watching again.

That would be the true truth.

[TimmyTabasco]

England will qualify, while Ireland and Northern Ireland will both be at home watching again.

That would be the true truth.

Perhaps your right

I'll be honest..I dont really watch the game..all that much anyway. Isn't that bad..for a true Brit..to not watch the game? :nod:

For me..its a cure for insomnia..and it has worked on occasion :laughing:

[a4l]

Perhaps your right

I'll be honest..I dont really watch the game..all that much anyway. Isn't that bad..for a true Brit..to not watch the game? :nod:

For me..its a cure for insomnia..and it has worked on occasion :laughing:

:eek: How can you call yourself a true Brit if you don't have the football watching gene?

[leaferfan87]

Ouch! I wonder when the English coach will have his head off?

[a4l]

He almost did but the FA decided that now is not the time to fire him. A lot of the England fans disagree.