England have qualified for Euro 2012 after a 2-2 draw in their final qualifying match away against Montenegro. However, an unconvincing second half performance and a red card for talisman Wayne Rooney has left many of the country's football fans fearing that England’s tournament could be already be over.
England were reduced to ten men with just over 15 minutes to go when Rooney was sent off for needlessly kicking out at Miodrag Džudović. Rooney’s behaviour was inexcusable, even given the understandable stress he must be under following his father’s recent arrest in connection to betting irregularities. Rooney is a professional, he should act that way. He is undoubtedly England’s best hope for success in Poland and Ukraine but through his own immaturity he has hindered the tournament campaign before it has even begun.
His quality is unquestionable. England need him to play every game and to play well in those games if they are to have any chance of competing for the trophy. By stupidly getting himself sent off in the manner that he did, he has removed his own ability from the team causing it to painfully weaken.
The Manchester United striker is already guaranteed to miss at least one group game and that ban could be raised to two games by UEFA officials once they have received and viewed the referee’s match report. For Rooney to miss two group games would be a disaster. Without wanting to disrespect Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck or any other forwards hoping to make the England squad, they simply cannot fill the Wayne Rooney sized hole that will be left in England starting eleven. They are good players, but they are not that good.
Due to the level of ability at Fabio Capello’s disposal, England should qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament with relevant ease even with Rooney absent for possibly all but one group game. I say should, but after the disgraceful showing at last year’s World Cup in South Africa, that saw England only reach the last 16, I will not be holding my breath.
Should they progress into the quarter finals, there is every chance England will come face to face with one of Europe’s big guns such as Spain, Germany, Italy or the Netherlands. The entire squad, particularly Rooney, will need to perform to the peak of their ability if England are to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals. There is just one problem; the feat has not been managed by an England team in a major tournament since 1990. So if history is to repeat itself, which it most likely will, the squad and travelling fans will be boarding their planes back to England sooner than later.
England were reduced to ten men with just over 15 minutes to go when Rooney was sent off for needlessly kicking out at Miodrag Džudović. Rooney’s behaviour was inexcusable, even given the understandable stress he must be under following his father’s recent arrest in connection to betting irregularities. Rooney is a professional, he should act that way. He is undoubtedly England’s best hope for success in Poland and Ukraine but through his own immaturity he has hindered the tournament campaign before it has even begun.
His quality is unquestionable. England need him to play every game and to play well in those games if they are to have any chance of competing for the trophy. By stupidly getting himself sent off in the manner that he did, he has removed his own ability from the team causing it to painfully weaken.
The Manchester United striker is already guaranteed to miss at least one group game and that ban could be raised to two games by UEFA officials once they have received and viewed the referee’s match report. For Rooney to miss two group games would be a disaster. Without wanting to disrespect Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck or any other forwards hoping to make the England squad, they simply cannot fill the Wayne Rooney sized hole that will be left in England starting eleven. They are good players, but they are not that good.
Due to the level of ability at Fabio Capello’s disposal, England should qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament with relevant ease even with Rooney absent for possibly all but one group game. I say should, but after the disgraceful showing at last year’s World Cup in South Africa, that saw England only reach the last 16, I will not be holding my breath.
Should they progress into the quarter finals, there is every chance England will come face to face with one of Europe’s big guns such as Spain, Germany, Italy or the Netherlands. The entire squad, particularly Rooney, will need to perform to the peak of their ability if England are to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals. There is just one problem; the feat has not been managed by an England team in a major tournament since 1990. So if history is to repeat itself, which it most likely will, the squad and travelling fans will be boarding their planes back to England sooner than later.
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