If only the advice on the above picture was heeded earlier, then maybe 2 days ago, England wouldn't have failed to qualify for their first major tournament in 17 years - Euro 2008.
The run-up to the last match of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers was pretty dramatic. After ex-manager Sven Goran Eriksson resigned during England's 2007 World Cup Q-finals, McClaren was chosen to takeover at the helm of the three lions. His first decision as manager was to remove David Beckham from the team. Beckham went on to be part of Real Madrid's 07-08 season winning team, and also signed a multi-million dollar contract with MLS club LA Galaxy.
David Beckham was England's captain for the past few years. He is also the only English player to have scored in 3 World Cup Finals. Whether or not it was McClaren's stupidity, or his way of showing that he is in control, the act of removing Beckham from the team as we can see, was a gross mistake.
Halfway through their Euro qualifiers this year, McClaren had no choice but to recall Beckham into the squad as he was low on players and talent, or rather players with talent. Beckham answered the call of his country like he always did and went on to inspire the team. England went on to win 3-0 in their next 5 matches.
Since Beckham's return, he has been an integral part of the team (as usual) and England were starting to look in shape. But a sudden 2-1 loss to Russia put England on the brink of disaster. Though it was still mathematically possible to qualify, England needed Russia to draw against Israel. They did.
As such, qualifying suddenly seemed possible again. All England had to do was draw against Croatia in their final match, and they were on to the Euro finals. Just then, problems started to mount. Having most of their best strikers and defenders injured, McClaren opted for a new formation - 4-5-1, where he might have been hoping for a 0-0 draw. That was mistake No.1. The second mistake was benching both keeper Robinson and Beckham and playing the inexperience Carson and winger Shaun Wright Phillips.
In 14 minutes, Croatia were 2-0 up, and England's hopes look dashed. So what do the English do when they need help and support? Well, call on David Beckham of course. In the 2nd half, Beckham was immediately swapped for Shaun and Defoe for Barry. Beckham's injected inspiration into the helpless team. England looked in much better shape.
Mid-way through the second-half, Lampard was offered a penalty and scored from the spot. England were 2-1 down. Minutes later, Beckham made an inch-perfect cross to Crouch and the striker went on to score the equaliser. England's hopes soared. It looked as if the script was written for Beckham to save his country AGAIN. (Gawd you mthrfckrs, how many times must he save your faces and your asses before you give him the respect he deserves?)
But, with 13-minutes to go, Croatia's substitute Petric took a shot and scored the winner. In the end, the better team won. After the match, the England suppoters were still clinging to their seats, waiting for Andorra to score against Russia in stoppage time. Honestly, if you are waiting for minnows Andorra to score, you do not deserve to qualify. The only one I pity is Beckham who played his 99th game for England that night. He played so well and you can see his commitment and dedication to his country is in his every move, every kick, every sweat and tear. Knight him for God's sake.
In the aftermath of England's failure, McClaren was finally FIRED. England is currently looking for a new manager. I'm pretty sure they will choose very carefully this time. The fate of Beckham's hundredth game will be in the hands of the new manager. Hopefully he will still be on for the next World Cup. It is obvious the man has many more kicks left in him. Maybe even more than some of the young stars. Good luck England, Hail David Beckham. XD
PS : Duh I am a Beckham fan, and proud to be one. He was the one who made me like football when MU came to Malaysia years ago. Nuff said.
The run-up to the last match of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers was pretty dramatic. After ex-manager Sven Goran Eriksson resigned during England's 2007 World Cup Q-finals, McClaren was chosen to takeover at the helm of the three lions. His first decision as manager was to remove David Beckham from the team. Beckham went on to be part of Real Madrid's 07-08 season winning team, and also signed a multi-million dollar contract with MLS club LA Galaxy.
David Beckham was England's captain for the past few years. He is also the only English player to have scored in 3 World Cup Finals. Whether or not it was McClaren's stupidity, or his way of showing that he is in control, the act of removing Beckham from the team as we can see, was a gross mistake.
Halfway through their Euro qualifiers this year, McClaren had no choice but to recall Beckham into the squad as he was low on players and talent, or rather players with talent. Beckham answered the call of his country like he always did and went on to inspire the team. England went on to win 3-0 in their next 5 matches.
Since Beckham's return, he has been an integral part of the team (as usual) and England were starting to look in shape. But a sudden 2-1 loss to Russia put England on the brink of disaster. Though it was still mathematically possible to qualify, England needed Russia to draw against Israel. They did.
As such, qualifying suddenly seemed possible again. All England had to do was draw against Croatia in their final match, and they were on to the Euro finals. Just then, problems started to mount. Having most of their best strikers and defenders injured, McClaren opted for a new formation - 4-5-1, where he might have been hoping for a 0-0 draw. That was mistake No.1. The second mistake was benching both keeper Robinson and Beckham and playing the inexperience Carson and winger Shaun Wright Phillips.
In 14 minutes, Croatia were 2-0 up, and England's hopes look dashed. So what do the English do when they need help and support? Well, call on David Beckham of course. In the 2nd half, Beckham was immediately swapped for Shaun and Defoe for Barry. Beckham's injected inspiration into the helpless team. England looked in much better shape.
Mid-way through the second-half, Lampard was offered a penalty and scored from the spot. England were 2-1 down. Minutes later, Beckham made an inch-perfect cross to Crouch and the striker went on to score the equaliser. England's hopes soared. It looked as if the script was written for Beckham to save his country AGAIN. (Gawd you mthrfckrs, how many times must he save your faces and your asses before you give him the respect he deserves?)
But, with 13-minutes to go, Croatia's substitute Petric took a shot and scored the winner. In the end, the better team won. After the match, the England suppoters were still clinging to their seats, waiting for Andorra to score against Russia in stoppage time. Honestly, if you are waiting for minnows Andorra to score, you do not deserve to qualify. The only one I pity is Beckham who played his 99th game for England that night. He played so well and you can see his commitment and dedication to his country is in his every move, every kick, every sweat and tear. Knight him for God's sake.In the aftermath of England's failure, McClaren was finally FIRED. England is currently looking for a new manager. I'm pretty sure they will choose very carefully this time. The fate of Beckham's hundredth game will be in the hands of the new manager. Hopefully he will still be on for the next World Cup. It is obvious the man has many more kicks left in him. Maybe even more than some of the young stars. Good luck England, Hail David Beckham. XDPS : Duh I am a Beckham fan, and proud to be one. He was the one who made me like football when MU came to Malaysia years ago. Nuff said.
The video of Beckham's superb cross.
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