FIFA World Cup 2010: Lampard’s disallowed goal; the turning point for England, Rio Ferdinand
The original captain of the English team, Rio Ferdinand, who had to back out of the tournament due to an injury, has stated that the disqualified goal of team mate Frank Lampard was the pivotal moment in the match and the reason behind the 4-1 obliteration against Germany.
Ferdinand, himself, was unavailable on the field as he got tackled by a team mate and what seemed like a minor injury later out turned out to be more than bargained for and the star defender was ruled out of the tournament.
Joachim Low and his men were just a goal up, the score being 2-1 when Lampard struck a screamer that got deflected on the post and landed inside the line. Unfortunately both referees were unable to confirm it.
After halftime though Germany dominated the game and ended it with a memorable performance of 4-1. Still Ferdinand reckons had that goal been given, a very different story would have been unfolded.
While speaking to media the Manchester United defender stated, “If Lamps' goal had stood it would have been 2-2 and then the game would've turned on its head. We'd have been at full throttle. I'm sure we'd have gone on to win it”.
He explained that the England team was in momentum at that moment and that goal was proof of it. If they were given the chance they would have definitely taken the lead, “It wasn't like a counter-attack or something, he was up there with the run of play. He has to be able to see that”.
The star ‘Red Devil’ told that he was saddened just like all other fans of England but there are things in life that have to be accepted for what they are.
The English fans will definitely be more infuriated than ever after this occasion. The English Coach Fabio Capello and his men have already given them very little joy after their poor group performances from where they barely made it to the last 16.
Also in the match against Algeria the squad failed to impress, barely making an attempt to score in the whole game. The frustrated English fans stared booing their players at which striker Wayne Rooney took a verbal hit at the fans.
Ferdinand however was more understanding than his fellow Manchester United team mate, he reckoned, “I understand fans' anger. People pay good money to go and watch football. If people are angry you can't knock that. They pay their hard-earned money to watch us all over the world so that's part and parcel of it”.
He told that it would be obviously natural to watch your team perform poorly and have that kind of reaction. He might say that but then again he is the man who backed Capello, who would probably be the reason behind their defeat.
Ferdinand protecting Capello said, “I believe he's the man to take us to being a successful team. His track record is nothing to be sniffed at”.
He also stated that he and the team had respected the manager a lot and told that men of his stature, intelligence and passion for the game are very hard to come by. He told that his professional experience actually helped the team a lot. If Ferdinand is not yet clear on the issue it will be wise for him to know that the more he sticks to his mentor who has managed to fail badly, the more trouble he will be in.
The English star from last World Cup, Michael Owen had something to say too. Owen has explained that it is the outdated tactics and formation, apart from the poor offensive play that lead the team down the drain.
The fellow Manchester United player elucidated, “ There is no-one in the world who can convince me that the German players are better than ours, but after seeing our team line-up I knew we were going to lose”.
Well that actually was true as the German offence saw it easier to split the English defence than to split butter. Their formation was indeed superior always managing to break away from the defenders and actually out run them humiliatingly.
The final nail in the coffin set, the English are returning back to their country where full investigations report over there dismissive performance is due. Though their traditional share of bad luck followed them around like a dog with bad omens this time too with injuries and scandals rising all around. It was their performance in general that disappointed everyone. Now Capello who cannot be dismissed unless FA faces heavy losses, he might possibly resign but that would be just the tip of the ice berg before the real investigation starts.
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