Status Report: England

England were woeful against Paraguay.

Unlike Germany and Holland who have come out guns blazing with some awesome, jaw dropping soccer, England decided to play hookie. If Greece 2004 represented the blueprint of cup-winning soccer then England have more than a nugget to win this one.

First with the positives. Ferdinand, often criticized by sections of the media and about 40% of the world's population for being someone who is more likely to give away goals than prevent them, turned out a juggernaut performance of calmness and concentration. Beckham, so often criticized for having a more powerful PR campaign than a shot played some neat touches and was of course, instrumental in the goal. Crouch was hardly within ten yards of a goal scoring chance all match but he was tirelessly working for the team. Sadly, the referee seemed to think being 6-foot plus = big bully, especially in the light of the rather diminutive Paraguayan defenders. Nevermind that Crouch looks like someone who is more likely to turn around and play hide and seek than beat up people.


Joe Cole, for all the running and dribbling, hardly made an impact. Michael Owen, surprisingly substituted early, looked like a school boy who lost his bag on the first day of school, both Ashley Cole and Gary Neville made characteristically stupid errors and guess what, Hargreaves was brought on yet again by Eriksson to play the Dalai Lama in protecting England's lead which about adds up to make England as much of a genuine contender for the cup as Malaysia. I guess

Sir Bobby Robson wasn't exactly off the cockles when he said England's chances were severely dented by Rooney's injury.

Me, I am just sad I did not get to see that ghastly robot dance.

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