England midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-Henderson-c19102 refused to accept the idea that England have got a psychological problem when it comes to dealing with penalty shoot-outs following their quarterfinal defeat against Italy on Sunday night, insisting that it is
something which just ‘happens’.
The Three Lions, notorious for ending up second best on shoot-outs, suffered yet another heartbreak in a major tournament, as they bowed out of the European Championships after falling to the Azzurri on penalties.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 on Thursday, and in the process consigned Roy Hodgson’s side to their first defeat in six
games.
The defeat also meant that it was the sixth time out of seven that England have crashed out of a major tournament after suffering a shoot-out loss in the knock-out stages.
With the debate of the Three Lions ability to deal with the pressure moments likely to be rekindled all over again, Henderson refused to accept the idea that his team have got a mental problem when it comes to dealing with the shoot-out, instead pointing
out that it was something beyond their control.
He told the reporters in an interview, “I don't think it's a psychological thing at all. It really is just one of these things that happens. None of us were aware or even really thinking about penalties.”
“We certainly weren't worrying about the history of shootouts for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749. As I say it was just one of those things that happens in football.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926, who dominated most of the proceedings, were particularly lifted by the performance of their veteran midfielder Pirlo, who not only posed problems for the Three Lions defence time and again, but also contributed by executing a cheeky penalty kick to
perfection.
His prowess was acknowledged by the 22-year old Henderson who believed that he was the star performer for his country on the night.
However, he also lauded the efforts of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196 and Scott Parker for containing Pirlo in the midfield area, and like the Italian maestro, termed them both as ‘great players’.
England capped a number of young players for the competition, and Henderson felt that a blend of experience and young talent is the perfect formula for the Three Lions, as they now prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.
He added, “I think we had a really good mix in this squad. There were some young players but also some experienced ones.”
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