The Paraguay Match: The Verdict

It was a decent first half, and it was more that horrible decision to take off Owen and leave a lone Crouch upfront that was worse for England.

Thanks to Sweden drawing with T&T, I think we have a great chance to finish top of our group. Also I think the hot weather didn’t do England any favours since I would imagine Paraguay are more used to a warmer climate. And Paraguay are no push overs, second half they were a constant threat.

But England are usually below par in their opening game so this shouldn’t stop us from doing well in the tournament.

Posted from  United Kingdom

What a load of crap by England against Paraguay. This team is just an average team made to look like a serious World Cup contender by the media hype, that’s all.

I think T&T may be able to take a point off them. And against Sweden, it may go either way.

No skills in the middle and little clue up front. I feel sorry for the English fans especially those from the Asian region.

Posted from  Malaysia

well england needed to win but they need a own goal to sort it out when will this team start to play football dont they get paid enough !!! or is it not enough get your finger out and start playing football

Posted from  United Kingdom

Yeah, England did NOT look like a title contender today, the only positive thing is the defense and the fact that this is the first game which is probably a valid excuse.

Posted from  United States

England do have some good players but the media and the fans are giving them big heads and too much credit.I am happy to see that the team consists of true englishmen,so there can be no excuses heh. But why is it all of a sudden they of all teams r gonna win the world cup, come on. Its this arrogance and bravado that translates to bad results because they become laxadative and too sure of them selves,like they r jus gonna be handed the trophy.To be trully considered great u have to put in the work and the game against paraguay did not in any way shape or form look like a team which had the belief and confidence they have been trying so hard to convey before the tournament began,jus pray Rooney is fit and in form and even then everyone else must be on their game then they could trully pose a threat

Posted from  United Kingdom

Rite, well it wasn’t what we english fans wanted - but its a win none the less, of course the english media and fans alike all want to see England get through the group phase comfortably with 3-0 victorys. But what you want you dont neccesarily get.

Today i thought England played orite, 1st half performance was excellent however second half wasn’t exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Press will be slacking england off for the performance and rightly so, but lets not forget that Paraguay are no mugs and have beaten Argentina and Brazil in the last couple of years. And 2 be fair to Paraguay and their boss Anabel Ruiz his formation and tatics were spot-on, SVEN take Note!

I think that overall we should be pleased we won this game…paraguay were never going to be easy, and getting a win under our belts is the most important thing.

Good performaces from Lampard, Joey Cole, Beckham and Gerrard (1st half only).

The reason we didn’t kill the game was due to Owen being subsituted so early in that 2nd half, leaving Crouchie up front on his own making him look very average indeed, Crouchie looks well when he’s playing alongside some1, he can’t head the ball on2 himself now can he!

Anyway we should be positive, we’ll play better against T & T, who won’t be walkovers - in fact i was very impressed by them today - it’s a later kick off and i know 4 a fact the boys will play better.

So C’mon Guys, Let’s Look 4ward 2 Thursday!

Posted from  United States

Boring, Boring England!

Posted from  United States

Excellent first half? Man, you must have had quite a few pints already!

I completely back Reeel here - and said the same before this performance against Paraguay: England is very avarage. There is no depth whatsoever up front, the mid-field consists of single players (admittedly good ones) and the back will first have to proof that they’re up to tackle what per example the Argentinians and the Ivory Coast produced yesterday.

Beckham a good performance? That’s a quite good joke. Funny enough, the best English performer yesteday was Crouch. Which I guess, doesn’t really speak for the team-performance. He’ll have a hard time on international level. Owen is totally useless this season. And it remains to be seen if Rooney can pull it off after an injury.
I like Lampard and Gerrard - but they are too similar players to play at the same time. This will be especially dangerous once a real opponent comes along - because face it: So far Paraguay has been the weakest team we’ve seen.

England: Pray you’re not facing Germany in the next round!

Posted from  Australia

Like most people I wasn’t happy with the second half performance but we created chances in both halves which can’t really be said about Paraguay. Our defence was pretty solid and Robinson wasn’t really troubled. The midfield just faded in the 2nd and Para capitalised on our struggling with the heat.

Joe Cole was our best player, the ref was Paraguays.

The big lesson for me was how this proved Sven has screwed up taking baby Walcott rather than Defoe/Bent.

Yes we’ve been hyped up too much prior to the tournament, maybe yesterday’s game will give the lads a kick up the arse that this is the real deal.

BUT we got the win and r top of the group - end of.

Posted from  United Kingdom

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Posted from  India

That match seemed to go on forever…….

My verdict
BORING!

Posted from  Australia

a bit annoying really..i half expected gerrad to score a goal but then he played awkwardly well back there,blocking the ball when he had the chances..so,for me it was a fair play though their excuse on the weather was really a lame one..hope the lads will do better for the next match!

Posted from  Malaysia

Video: England vs Paraguay

Date Played: June 10, 2006 (Group Stage)

Below is a video of the FIFA World Cup 2006 game between England and Paraguay showing the only goal scored in the match where David Beckham launched a rocket like kick from the left side towards the center of…

Posted from  United States