It is said that the English invented the game of Football, but Germany reminded them that they have far from mastered the beautiful game. iSporter Pulasta Dhar conducts a post mortem on the FIFA World Cup last 16 game between England and Germany.
The commentator said it was 'cat and mouse' for the first half hour or so in Bloemfontein. After the first German goal, it looked like we knew who the cat was and who the mouse was.
England was in complete disarray when the German youngsters ran at their defense with the skill and agility which according to me no English player in the 23 man squad possesses.
The first goal came courtesy of an unbelievable error of misjudgment by the so called best English defender John Terry. Miroslav Klose, who has been bench warming at Munich brings out his best every 4 years and he proved this with pomp.
The Germans then came out with all guns blazing while England were looking around for proper wingers in their midfield. Who they found were Gerrard and Milner who have played most of the campaign in the Premier League in the middle of the park.
It was so ironical that England made such a discussion about who Capello will take as wingers to South Africa, when none of them got a proper chance. It was 2-0 shortly as there was nobody running back from midfield for England as Lukas Podolski got enough time to stretch his legs to the maximum before running away to celebrate.
England were sinking without trace when Gerrard produced a lovely cross for Upson to head in and make it 2-1. The game was on and it seemed that England had found their feet in a game which was till then dominated by the Germans.
Frank Lampard produced arguably the best shot of the game when a looped and calculated right footer saw its way over the keeper, on to the bar and cross the line for what 'could have been 2-2'. If Sepp Blatter needed a reminder of why extra linesmen and goal technology is needed, this was the best example.
England went into half time feeling unlucky and it showed the moment they entered the field for the second half. After some good going by the Three Lions, Germany took their chance with some brilliant counter-attacking.
Mesut Oezil, who has been their star this tournament gave a glimpse of why players like Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott are needed in a team. His blistering pace left behind a half-fit Barry and it was easy from then on as Muller bundled in a 3rd goal.
Now there was no coming back. Not with England already thinking about morning headlines and excuses for such a drastic showing at world stage. They did not have time to digest the 3rd goal when Muller hit back with 4th to make it 4-1. Surely game over and travel agents asking the chartered flight to be made ready for the morning.
The only other highlight was a Gerrard shot which was brilliantly palmed away by an outstretched hand of Manuel Neuer. It showed that Germany carried far more grit and desire to stay in South Africa.
At the final whistle there were no tears like last time and no penalty misery, but a feeling of how badly the team had failed over the past couple of months. With so much said and prepared before the tournament, it all fell down like the rain in England.
The only question I would like to ask Fabio is that when you have German defenders like Friedrich and Mertesacker waiting to head the ball with ease, why don't you play Peter Crouch?
It is ridiculous when the man has delivered whenever asked off and still has played only a few minutes in SA. Heskey on the other hand does nothing. When so much has been said about his brilliance, where was it showing on the pitch?
As for Rooney, he needs to stop thinking that his place in the squad is irreplaceable. And this goes to the whole England squad....next time when you want to win, play in your club kits.
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