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The Ecuador Match: First Thoughts

June 25th, 2006 | By: Shawn | 37 Comments »

Another ugly match, another ugly win.

This is the poorest form I can recall ever seeing from an undefeated team at this level.

By my reckoning, England have played about 65 minutes of capable, attractive and inspired football: the first half against Sweden, the final five minutes against Trinidad, 10 of the first 15 minutes of today’s second half.

Compare that to other sides, and it’s a frankly fortunate thing that England had such a weak group and such a dull opponent for its first knock-out match.

The good news for a tired and listless England today was that Ecuador brought almost nothing. They had one real chance on a ball that was mis-headed by John Terry, but Ashley Cole (who received a formal apology today from the News of the World for, well, you know) made a nice slide to deflect it off the bar. Otherwise, Ecuador dove and played on their heels much of the match. Bully for them for making it this far, but after two inspired group wins they collapsed.

But you can’t really say England were much better.

At the back, Robinson still seemed anchored to one spot, Terry and Rio were largely untested, and Ashley (the clutch save excepted) wasn’t much of a factor. Only Hargreaves brought some determination and initiative.

In the middle, Carrick was nobody’s savior, Lampard continues his dreadful shooting form, JoCo wilted in the humidity, Gerard was absent for long stretches, and Beckham had one moment of brilliance and 85 or so minutes of merely safe play.

Rooney showed little pace and only a handful of creative touches. The game absolutely begged for a quick striker to replace him, but they were all in England save Walcott, whom we’ll only see if we’re down 4-0 to Brazil at the half should we get to the semi-finals.

Carragher made no impression in his minutes, ditto Downing. Only Aaran Lennon showed real flair and vitality. So of course he was used primarily to kill the clock.

Is this harsh? Could you possibly imagine a worse performance resulting in a win or even extra time?

Look. I would like to be proven wrong. I would like to see England play with heart, imagination and skill for 90 minutes. But it’s just not looking like it’s going to happen. And in a tournament featuring such lively sides as Brazil, Spain, Germany, Holland, and Portugal have been, and such brutally competent sides as Argentina and Italy, I simply don’t see high hopes for an English miracle.

Round of 8, then: either Portugal or Holland. The first real test and — for all that I can see with my most optimistic goggles on — likely the last.

The only silver lining to this cloudy performance is that it marks the ugly, predictable end of Sven. Good frickin’ riddance….

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 37 comments.

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By Jose Miguel | June 25th, 2006 at 10:39 pm

Shawn,
American or not, you did made a fair assessment of the game.

Ecuador showed they still have a long way to go. We can beat middle of the road teams, but we cannot beat the bigger teams, even if they play like crap.

England has great players but they do not play like a team…much like Real Madrid.
I will be surprised if England can get passed the next round.

Posted from United States

By Shawn | June 25th, 2006 at 11:06 pm

D: I hear you, but on the subject of supporting a national side I am at best an agnostic. I look at the US men, for instance, and all I see are flaws; I neer once thought the team would do anything in Germany. Worse for me is the thought of being amid a sea of US fans chanting and waving flags. Particularly nowadays, in my view, flags — all of ‘em — seem symbols of a world view I can’t share.

I understand, however, that people raised to cheer for a national side can be entirely caught up in its fortunes. And I don’t begrudge anyone getting behind their team. (I myself have been known to shock soccer moms in my cheering for the US women’s side…)

But I see my role here as more observer/critic than jingoist or cheerleader. I know it seems more the latter than the former lately (though you’ll note my words of praise today for Lennon’s vitality and a whole post to celebrate Beckham’s shot). But when England produces good play — and the last truly good performance I saw was the friendly against Hungary — then I’m happy and eager to say so.

Posted from United States

By Jonnnoooo | June 25th, 2006 at 11:10 pm

I think we could beat a Decoless, Ronaldoless, and possibly figoless (if fifa intervene) cautious (due to whole team having yellows!) Portugal.

But we’ll lose to brazil!

Posted from United Kingdom

By D | June 26th, 2006 at 12:07 am

Analysis is important, but it ain’t everything. There are other elements such as belief, faith, courage and hope… otherwise England would have just packed their bags and gone home!

There’s no point in taking a defeatist attitude, you need to believe in the possibility of success. However, if you’re not English, then I can see how any support depends upon previous and current form - but how can you predict the future?

Unless you’re using this crystal ball I have right here… yes… I clearly see Beckham raising the cup! ha ha

Posted from United Kingdom

By Shawn | June 26th, 2006 at 12:16 am

D: I make you this promise: If England pass Brazil to the final and then win it, I will plaster “I Was Wrong” all over this blog!

Posted from United States

By D | June 26th, 2006 at 12:19 am

He he he, this crystal ball is at least 300% accurate, unfortunately for you, Shawn… prepare to grovel!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Adam | June 26th, 2006 at 12:59 am

There has been a lot of criticism directed at England. The team certainly hasn’t been convincing up to this point, so much of the criticism is warranted. On the other hand, it is also clear that some people, English or otherwise, love to dogpile on the team. Not long ago, everyone was talking up Holland and now their done, beaten by a Portugual team that to my mind looks beatable itself, particularly missing a key player like Deco. Even a trendy pick like Argentina showed its vulnerabilities Saturday night. Where does that leave England? Into the quarter finals without having played anything close to its best form. Sure, England may be put to the sword against Portugal and if not that team then very likely Brazil in the semis but football can produce surprises. Just ask Gerrard about the Champions’ League last year.

Posted from United States

By tedy | June 26th, 2006 at 1:21 am

ONCE AGAIN ENGLAND GET THROUGH BY PLAYING TOTAL SHITE..!!
ONCE THEY MEET A DECENT TEAM THEN THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL SEE THAT SO FAR THEY HAVE JUST BEEN VERY VERY VERY LUCKY..!!
ARGENTINA ON THE WAY TO THE FINAL…BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME..!!

Posted from Antigua And Barbuda

By mek | June 26th, 2006 at 1:33 am

well it htink it’s about time to give u all the benefit of someone who knows what they are talking about.

Ever since rooney has played for England it has been 4-5-1… not 4-4-2… he is simply NOT a striker, he is so much more. It’s like asking if Ronaldinho is a forward… well? um… no… err… yes!

The reason Sven took only 4 strikers is because he KNEW all along that he was going to have a fit Rooney, and that he can play up front on his own, as a ’supporting striker’ or as an attacking midfielder. Of England’s three number eights Roo can play anywhere, Gerrard can play nearly anywhere, and Lamps can play… well, number 8.

Anyway, I really don’t see it as 4-5-1… it’s just the W formation to me… think bout it

Today Lamps and Gerrard passed badly… and other than a bit of shoddy closing down on the edge of our box those are the only 2 bad points.

England WILL score well made goals inside the area… the longer it goes without them the more likely they are to happen, especially with Roo as up for it as he was.

I mean, if Stevie G and Frankie had been able to pass today it would have been 4 or 5 nil…

good… why waste golas on Ecuador… put ‘em past Portugal, Brazil and Spain et al.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Dean | June 26th, 2006 at 1:43 am

A safe, workmanlike performance with Ecuador only having one decent chance. We all know England does not play that well against middle of the road teams. Bring on Portugal, who did not look impressive to me today. I feel a 2-0 England win coming on.

Dean

By Charles Shakespeare | June 26th, 2006 at 4:07 am

Shawn, mate, you are so American. And reading these notes confirms it. You have no IDEA of the shit we have to put up with. Frankly if we play dire football and win the world cup I’ll be happy. We killed the game, we got lucky, so what? If you’re going to pretend to be an England fan you might as well try.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Patrick | June 26th, 2006 at 4:35 am

For the sake of the football itself, I hope England gets knocked out of the tournament in the next stage. It’s already a shame that a side playing such ugly football is going to reach the quarter-finals, supposedly involving only top-teams. It puzzles me that the FA has not realized yet that there is something terribly wrong with our playing style (too much long passes and set-pieces dependent!!)…

Posted from United Kingdom

By LLC | June 26th, 2006 at 6:27 am

Tedy or is it Teddy Thomas are u too frightened to put your real name on here?

Posted from Australia

By magic Genie | June 26th, 2006 at 6:38 am

I agree with Charles Shakespear

‘Frankly if we play dire football and win the world cup I’ll be happy. We killed the game, we got lucky, so what?

I would rather we win the cup this way than win it by cheating. So many teams are doing deliberate hand balls and when a player comes near them they roll around on the floor as if they have been stabbed. Pathetic. Argentina are the worst at this they constantly cheat, no Englishman would want to win this way.

Posted from Australia

By magic Genie | June 26th, 2006 at 6:54 am

Patrick you say ‘there is something wrong with ‘our’ football and that you hope we get knocked out. You are a Traitor!

Posted from Australia

By David | June 26th, 2006 at 8:47 am

I guess I am not so pessimistic about this team. They certainly were not flashy yesterday, but that doesn’t mean the quality is not there. I think you will see that the top 8 teams all have some weakness that can be attacked. I think that Sven’s controlled game probably has as much chance of being successful as any, especially given the pressure these guys are under. Look at how poorly Holland and Portugal reacted last night. I don’t think you will see England falling apart like that. I don’t like the 4-5-1, and, if it is supposed to be like a “W” formation, then it would be nice to see some support for Rooney. What it does do, I think, is create as many problems offensively for the opponents as it causes for us.

Posted from United Kingdom

By tyke | June 26th, 2006 at 10:16 am

I am alarmed at the form of Paul Robinson. He will be giving his defenders nightmares with this latest jittery performance. He just doesnt command the area, seems indecisive and unable to communicate with the defence.

But we won.

We didnt play well, but it was an improvement from the previous game. Rooney was brilliant, and playing 90 minutes will have given his fitness and confidence a massive boost.

Carrick was very good as well.

But be badly need our shots to be on target against Portugal (especially Lampard), because we will have fewer chances against better teams thats for sure.

If that happens I think we will win as long as the defence and midfield are strong - they should be able to handle a weakened Portugal.

Then bring on Brasil (or Ghana).
I think if we reach the semi final we will be very hard to beat….I have a feeling we are watching something special happening.

Lampard to score the winner on Saturday anyone??

Posted from United States

By Binarybloke | June 26th, 2006 at 10:52 am

I can’t do with Ericksson’s managerial style, but you’ve got to give him his due: however patchy our play is, other teams just seem to under perform against us.

All the signs are there for a win against Portugal with Deco/Costinha suspended and possibly Ronaldo/Figo out. This is the game where Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney will prove their worth.

Believe!

Posted from United Kingdom

By FIFAworldcup.com - Passionate Fan on Fifa World Cup 2006 | June 26th, 2006 at 3:13 pm

Results (2nd Stage): England vs Ecuador

Beckham unloaded the shot on the 60th minute that gave him his first goal in three years for England and at the same time pushing his team to the quarter finals. Christian Mora dove for the ball a micro-second earlier as he was able to touch the ba…

Posted from United States

By LLC | June 26th, 2006 at 4:21 pm

I would like to see Lennon and Defoe on the field. There is just something missing up front. Yes I believe we will beat Portugal and go on to win the cup!

Posted from Australia

By aet | June 26th, 2006 at 5:14 pm

…gosh…what a hilarious match against ecuador !!! Again the boring england team has beaten an even worse team.
england:ecuador = pity:desperation
When will this stop ? Only when england goes home…

Being serious…who really thinks England beats Portugal ?? And if Portugal seems to be beatable…I don’t think England is the team to do it…not in its current shape…

Posted from Germany

By Jonnnoooo | June 26th, 2006 at 7:01 pm

Why do people keep calling us LUCKY!
Granted we havn’t played well, but we havn’t been lucky to get where we are…we just havn’t played a decent team yet.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Shawn | June 26th, 2006 at 7:10 pm

Not playing a good team would be the lucky bit.

Look at Ivory Coast: Argentina, Holland, Serb/Montenegro, 4 goals, 3 solid performances, see ya next time…

In comparison, England has had it easy.

Posted from United States

By Binarybloke | June 26th, 2006 at 10:05 pm

Shawn, seriously, is this your first WC supporting England?

In big compeitions we’ve always played poorly against supposedly crap teams and raised our game and performance levels against better sides. This is what usually happens to us and we scrape through to quarter finals. The only difference now is that we actually have a few decent players so we expected more. But now the problem isn’t the players, it’s the shite manager. So should we really expect things to be any different this time?

I can guarantee you will see a better performance for longer periods against Portugal - because it is Portugal and that’s how we’ll have to play. So all this bullshit about lucky wins and easy groups doesn’t mean a thing, it’s just a reaction to the media hype and jealousy over the premier league. And any true England fan will know deep down that this is how it always goes for us, we expect everything and just get enough.

Believe.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Joe | June 27th, 2006 at 1:08 am

Agree with Binarybloke, we do have a quality side out on the pitch, i feel although our performance has been seen as lacking a good deal of it is too much negativity and poor media hype. There have been moment of quality which show what a great team we are. I think we are going to have a good test against Portual and hopefully without Figo we will have less trouble. But having a quality oppenent will make England shine. We do just have to believe, hope and have a bit of luck, its how England wins everything. Oh and i think it would be in Svens favour playing 4-4-2 with roo and len up front, they would bring some good fluid play linking up with harg and becks on the wings and hopefully lamps will actually be able to set up some good oppertunities for once instead of pisssing about with wasted shots….

GOOD LUCK ENGLAND!

FINALS ANYDAY!

Posted from United Kingdom

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