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Andorra leave doubts in English minds
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Fabio Capello gives instructions to
Wayne Rooney in Barcelona (¿Getty Images)
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Manager Fabio Capello defended England 's performance after
their modest 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday saying: "It is hard
for any team to find space when they are playing against a team with nine,
ten or eleven players in the box."
Bright start
The Italian, in charge of his first competitive match since taking over
as coach last January, said England had started the FIFA World Cup Group
6 qualifier well, and that his side "had three good chances in the
first 15 minutes but did not take them". He added: "It is hard
for any team to find space when they are playing against a team with nine,
ten or eleven players in the box. It is impossible to find the space."
Cole fires
Some 17 months ago, England beat Andorra 3-0 at the Olimpico de Montjuic
Stadium in a UEFA EURO 2008T qualifier after failing to score before half-time,
and their opening World Cup qualifier followed a similar pattern. Chelsea
FC's Joe Cole, who replaced Stewart Downing at the interval, scored both
goals this time around. "Joe Cole is scoring goals at the moment
and it's a good moment for him," said Capello, who refused to be
drawn on whether the midfielder would start against Croatia in England's
next Group 6 game on Wednesday.
'Moral victors'
Meanwhile, Andorra coach David Rodrigo took comfort from what was a fine
outcome for the tiny nation. "Even though the scoreboard said we
lost 2-0, we are proud," he explained. "We were playing England,
a big, important team, and we only lost 2-0. We were the moral victors
tonight. We stopped them from scoring for 45 minutes last time and 45
minutes today. It would be nice if we could stop them from scoring for
90 minutes consecutively."
UEFA.com,
7 September 2008
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