15th JUN 06' - FIFA World Cup ENG vs T&T -Crouch's header saves his head from being axed!

Similiar to what Indian Cricket team makes out of encounters with bangalesh, England made a show out of its match with Trinidad and Tobago.Apparently, the match which was assumed to be a cakewalk for the England team,was turned into a nightmare for 83 minutes by the consitently off the mark shooting by the english front line strikers, Crouch and Lampard.
Neither it was surprising that the crowd started to boo and wanted Rooney to pitch in to save the souls of the English men.Rooney and Lennon's entry brought in some sense of urgency with 30 minutes to go.

Crouch, was looking silly as a footballer, and it was hard to believe he was playing for a national team in the world cup finals, and it looked as if, but for his 6ft 7 inch figure,which apparently would send in goals from headers by the dozens, looked awful yesterday,when he headed the 2 trade mark crosses from Bechkam from the right way outside the net.Probably he suits the volley 'ball' game, really not the one who looks cut out for a game of football.His 83rd minute, lolly pop header saved him. It was yet another brilliant cross from the rightflank, from the king of 'bends' - Beckham. Beckham was the work horse for the most part with his diligent right crosses, though a couple of his free kicks were well below his standards.

Lampard, the Chelsea striker was off colour(missed chances at 34,77 minutes),and Owen was just not his self misguiding a header in the 56th minute.
But, for Terry's heroic effor to save the goal in the 45th minute, England would have been left in an embarassing position, not to mention the English fans and media who were already baying for their blood with no sight of a goal till the half time.

My favourite footballer in the England team, Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, let his boots talk with his 91st minute left foot drive from outside the box bulging the net to save some grace and make the score card look a little decent.

Beckham,was the only English player I had known, until I saw the FA cup final between Liverpool and East Ham.With Liverpool down 2-1, Steven Gerrard scored a stunner from outside the box, and then yet again scored in the 91st minutes by driving in another goal of a half-volley pass from outside the box in the 91st minute to win the cup for Liverpool.

Gerrard may not be the most media saavy player in the English team, and he has mentioned earlier that he has not been able to produce his club form in international matches for England, probably because he does not get to play his favourite position in the national team. But, if England have any hopes(Its very low going by the awful passes and slowpace shown yesterday), then in all likelihood Gerrard will be the most important contributor, ahead of Rooney, Beckham, Owen or Lampard.