posted Nov 18, 2007

I am an Israeli and an England fan... I was delighted to see Israel winning against Russia and scoring two goals in the process.
Also aiding England to qualify for Euro 2008... it would have been a major upset if they didn't qualify.

Here in Israel we're used to not being able to qualify for Euro/World Cup... had England been a little better, and Israel too... perhaps we could have qualified together.

Just don't lose against Croatia... beating Croatia at Wembley should be easy... as long as the England fans don't discourage their side.

A regulation in the Israeli FA prevents players from receiving external bonuses for their role in the national team... so the goalscorer of the winning goal (Omer Golan) will not be able to receive the 50k pound mercedes that the British billionaire Fred Don promised... but nonetheless it was a great intention by the billionaire.

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posted Nov 18, 2007

England miraculously avoided elimination from the Euro 2008 in Austria Switzerland, despite not having been drawn to play anyone at all.
In fact, they spent most of the time in a lounge watching Israel-Russia on the telly.
What were your players ratings for this top rate non-performance on England's part?
Here are mine.

Paul Robinson - was kept quiet for almost the entire match (between Israel and Russia), but upon being passed a mug of ovaltine at half time spilled it and burnt his cr**ch.....ouch !! How can this boy stay as number one choice? Still, at least he didn't concede, so he gets a..........6

Frank Lampard - spent most of his time arguing with Steven Gerrard as to where to position his armchair, these guys just dont seem to be able to sit together in the same room!. But the gaffer told them to stay there until such time that they found some kind of an accommodation.....no goals scored....still...... so he gets a 3.

Steven Gerrard - spent most of his time arguing with Frank Lampard as to where to position his armchair, these guys just dont seem to be able to sit together in the same room!. But the gaffer told them to stay there until such time that they found some kind of an accommodation.....no goals scored so he gets a 6.

David Beckham - an exemplary performance from our star man, just sat there on the side and didn't say nowt. Footballers should be seen and not heard..........8.

Joe Cole - England's most technically talented spent most of the first half doing keep me ups with his crumpled up gameplan notes, scoring a fine overhead into the waste paper basket, via way of a powerful cross-room Sol Campbell header. Such execution is always highly rated amongst the England faithful.....7

Michael Owen - despite his nimble presence up front at the remote control he failed to make any impact whatsoever, and failed to score a single goal. He also gaffed half way through the second half by accidentally switching to a rerun of "One Man And His Dog" with Phil Drabble, almost prompting the other players to walk out in disgust. He may be crocked, and England may not have been playing, but Owen's failure to score is unlikely to rest well with the Wembley faithful, who will be calling for his head come Wednesday........5

Peter Crouch - as usual his height was causing all manner of problems for the players sitting behind him. After receiving two warnings from the Gaffer to get out the hell out of the way he finally got his marching orders from an irate Steven Gerrard halfway through the second half. No goals scored and he'll be suspended from the next two video training sessions................4

Micah Richards - a fine performance from the young right back who continues to look like a firm fixture in his chosen position. Not surprsing since Wayne Rooney covered his seat in superglue before he sat down. This boy is going nowhere!......7

Sol Campbell - A stirling performance from the back enjoying a renaissance down Pompey way. No goals conceded, and score the waste paper basket goal (see below) too..........9

????? Lescott - A great no-goals-conceded performance from England's most anonymous defender since Chris Powell (who?, wasn't he knighted or something ?)................7

Wayne Bridge - a daring performance from the long-injured, long-absent left back, where he spent most of his time stopping the subs coming in to steal the biscuits......6

SUBS USED
Stewart Downing - only came in to steal the biscuits, so doesn't rate

Shaun Wright Phillips - only came on for the last 10 minutes where, despite his lack of height, he could exercise great vision (although only because Crouchie had just received his marching orders, otherwise he wouldn't have seen a thing) ......6


THE GAFFER
Steve McLaren will take great heart from this fine non-performance which has earned him a well-deserved stay of execution. He can surely now look forward to a great reception at Wembley against Croatia which would surely have evaded him had England not put in such a fine non-performance.

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posted Nov 18, 2007

Like Covercheck, I also didn't watch the israel/russia game due to nerves. I just hope the England boys can now finish off there qualification campaign in style and let the whole of Europe see what they can expect next year.

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posted Nov 18, 2007

My team for Wednesday:-

Carson,
Richards, Campbell, Lescott, Bridge
Wright-Phillips, Barry, Gerrard, Cole
Bent, Crouch

Nice one Israel!

I disagree with some of the comments about how if Scotland had had Englands group they would have waltzed it through. I think what made Scotland up there game was the tough group they were given. Maybe if England had had Scotlands group they wouldn't be in the situation they are in now. These qualifiers have been great for Scottish football and i hope they go on from this and make it to the world cup.

No matter what the English teams situation, if they can get a win (or draw...but who wants that?) against Croatia, they qualify. None of this "do they deserve to?" rubbish, they have and thats that. Fingers crossed!

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!

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posted Nov 19, 2007

once again england get all the luck they need and scotland get bugger all, now i guess england are favorites for euro 2008 are they?

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posted Nov 19, 2007

If Gerrard said, "Let's get rid of all the foreign players in England, including the Israelis" or meant let's get rid of all the foreign players in foriegn players including the Israelis or suggested same, what would you make of his head - a teenager leading a national team to a very crucial match! We all foreigners support England bcos they are farily open to foreigners. But if them Steve Coppell and Steve Gerrard start this trash about quota system and the rest, they will lose our invaluable support on all fronts, and next time, bcos I know there will be a next time, a forign country will hand their qualification over to a fellow contestant before their very eyes. The greatest football fan has spoken!!!!

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posted Nov 19, 2007

Superb comment jroswald

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posted Nov 19, 2007

Frank Lampard 3
Steven Gerrard 6
??????????????????
On recent performances???? I really don't think so.

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posted Nov 20, 2007

Up Israel- I knew you can do... like i wrote last week, go and get prepared for the next term moreso that you've given England hope to qualify.

cheers,
Keseak.

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posted Nov 20, 2007

As for England, why would i not go for a solid/experience team selection knowing fully well that a draw will make my team to qualify.

Cheerioooo McCleran.

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