Gerrard saves England from a 'deadly' date with the Germans

Jun20-
It was as if the English team had risen from the ashes like a phoenix bird. The first halfsaw much more energetic england team, though starting without Gerrard was not a surprise,considering the fact that another yellow card in this match would have made him sit in the bench for the 2nd round knock out match.But, later as the events unfolded, Gerrard yet again saved theday for the English team, and saved England against a 2nd round clash with the Germans, whichwould have been a certain elimination, considering the Germans have peaked at the right timeto trounce Eucador convincingly with a 3-0 score card.

From the very outset, England played as if they have reinvented themselves, with Rooney providing the much needed moral booster, though he was not in his elements. In the 34th minutes, J.Cole drove in a beauty from nearly 25yards, with a full volley after controlling the ball with his chest, as if he had got some divine inspiration from somewhere.

But, much was left to be decided once the 2nd half started. The English were lacklusture from the very beginning, and it was looking like it won't be long before Sweden equalised and I had an instinct that Sweden might go on to win 2-1, but then that was before Gerrard came in. England needs to be reminded that football has to be played for 90 minutes, and playing a fast paced game for 45 minutes in not good enough to win a match. Still the Swede's true to their spirit equalised in the 51st minute throuh Allback.

Crouch, the freaking striker was jogging as if he was taking a morning stroll to warm up himself.Crouch and Lampard have made a habit out of taking shots at goals and ensuring they never made it past the goal line. Beckham was shoddy to say the least and his 65th corner makes one wonder what was the hurry to take the kick when only 3 of the English palyers were in the Sweden box area. And his free kick in the 81st minute was no way close to the Beckham free kicks we know of.Rooney was fast and athletic,but was skeptical in his tackles, proabably the thought of damaging his injured foot was nagging him all the time. Funniest of all was the extraordinary defence from England, or should we call it the 'strategic defence'. It was alarming to see the players forming loose walls for Sweden's free kicks and that too a wall just not in line with the trajectory of the ball and literally the wall was formed at the opposite end and just one player was standing facing the player taking the free kick.But for Gerrard's entry in the 70th minute and a save in front of the goal the very next minute, England would have been languishing with the score card reading 2-1 in Sweden's favour. It was like making a mockery of footballing defence, the English defenders never marking the Sweden frontline players one to one, even during freekicks and corner kicks, all of them running towards the ball possessor, as if being pulled by some kind of magnet, leaving enough room for other Sweden strikers, which finally undid them when a thrown from Larkkson, made it to the English goal in the 90th minute, and which was not at all a surprise.

One can expect a honest effort and give his best, when Gerrard is in the field. His 85th minute header was a perfect example of how to head a ball, probably Crouch can take a few lessons and realise that to be a good header, something more than 6foot 7inches is required. But for Gerrard's save in 71st minute and his 85th minute goal, England would have been down 3-1 to Sweden. As I said earlier, England will owe everything to Gerrard, even though Englang going beyond the Quarter finals is a confirmed unsourmountable task. England was just lucky enough to evade meeting the Germans in the next round, which would have been nothing but a definite ticket to London on the next flight!