Ukraine 0 England 0: match report
Otherwise, midfield was almost indescribably poor, bereft of pace and
composure. Such centurions as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and the
lionised youngster Jack Wilshere constantly gave the ball away.
Infuriatingly for those who admire them, the trio were shadows of their
vibrant club selves. Wilshere was particularly disappointing. It did seem to
be “Kick Jack Wilshere Day” again and England’s No 10 occasionally slumped
at the buffeting, particularly from Oleg Gusev, occasionally Taras
Stepanenko.
Hodgson’s claim that this was “a very good quality game” drew a few gasps at
his post-match briefing in the Olympic Stadium. Outside, England fans were
celebrating, chanting Hodgson’s name as stewards took souvenir snaps of them
on their mobile-phones, but a wider audience was understandably
underwhelmed.
Gary Lineker tweeted for many when he described the 90 minutes as “awful”,
asking “what happens to some of these players when they pull on an England
shirt”. For those familiar with his Liverpool days, Hodgson seemed as
aggrieved at the general criticism as when he suffered a bad afternoon at
Goodison Park.
Emotions are swiftly inflamed and expressed, particularly in the age of social
media where everyone has a soap box. Hodgson doesn’t understand this
judgmental culture.
He saw only the Group H table showing England top. He saw only a qualifying
result to compare with the gutsy stalemate in Rome in 1997 or the draw in
Istanbul in 2003. England now host Montenegro and Poland at Wembley next
month when their attacking edge should be sharper than last night for all
Lambert’s selfless movement.
Wayne Rooney will be available after his cut forehead, Daniel Sturridge fit
after his thigh problem and Danny Welbeck free from suspension. England need
to be more adventurous, more cultured in possession.
They have drawn with both sides in this campaign and cannot afford any dropped
points now. As a keen student of footballing history, Hodgson will well
remember Jan Tomaszewski and Poland at Wembley in 73.
Yet the looming possibility of England reaching the World
Cup must not be allowed to silence the clamour for change off the
field, for developing more well-paid, enlightened coaches to address the
myriad flaws at schoolboy level, working on technique even before they enter
the Academy system. Greg Dyke’s FA Commission still has urgent issues to
discuss and solve such as England’s technical limitations and fear of the
penalty.
England’s last visit to the Olympic Stadium had brought only heartache.
England fans stepped back into the scene of the team’s Euro 2012
quarter-final exit to “Highway to Hell” and “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Ukraine
had started at their anticipated high tempo, running to the rhythm set by
their compatriots in the stands. They delivered their rousing National
Anthem with typical fervour, powering out lyrics like “our enemies will die
as the dew does in the sun’’ but England did not wilt during the first-half
pressure, mainly thanks to Cahill and Cole, who were magnificent in
anticipating Ukrainian threats on the ground and in the air.
Yet the half could have started darkly for England. Roman Zozulya, Ukraine’s
lone striker, raced towards goal until stopped by Joe Hart. It looked a
clear penalty but the Portuguese referee, Pedro Proenca, showed clemency to
England and Hart, signalling only a corner. Hart looked more assured in
dealing with Yevhen Konoplyanka’s corner, charging out to punch clear.
England had their chances in the first half. They gave the ball away too
cheaply in midfield but still managed to create some hope in the final
third. The concern had always been that Rickie Lambert might become isolated
but he dropped off well after two minutes to flick on to Theo Walcott. The
Arsenal attacker tore into the box, winning a corner as the Ukraine keeper,
Andriy Pyatov, threw himself at Walcott’s feet.
Ukraine’s pressure was considerable but they lacked a really sharp cutting
edge. Zozulya failed to exploit the good approach work of Konoplyanka in
particular. Ukraine’s centre-forward could not escape Cahill, who intervened
brilliantly to cut out one ball destined for Kozulya.
England’s own approach play lacked precision. Some of the passing was overhit
such as Wilshere to Walcott and then Walcott to Lampard. England were
indebted to the defence, to Jagielka and Cahill who both made hooked
clearances just after the half-hour. England continued to absorb the
pressure. Cahill cleared. Then Jagielka.
England fans gave their usual support, saluting Lampard, reminding Hart that
he was “England’s No 1” yet the players most deserving of tributes were
Cahill and Cole. Calmly, Cahill chested down a long ball and cleared.
Wilshere continued to be targeted. After another foul by Gusev, Lampard’s
free-kick was deflected over. As the new half opened, Cole read Yarmolenko’s
cross and sprinted across to head clear. Then Gerrard ended an attack
sourced in the left-sided trickery of Yarmolenko.
Accused of reacting too tardily in bringing Ashley Young on in Podgorica,
Hodgson sent the Manchester United winger on in the 66th minute, removing
Wilshere and moving Milner inside.
Young promptly gave the ball away, catching the England disease quickly.
Walker’s uncomfortable evening continued after 70 minutes when he was caught
the wrong side of Zozulya and brought the striker down just outside the box.
Much to England’s relief, Konoplyanka’s free-kick deflected for a corner.
It defied belief that Hodgson did not bring on Michael Carrick to keep
possession.
Carrick sat there on the bench, England’s one real holding midfielder looking
on as the team were desperately holding on. England still almost scored,
Walker nicking the ball, sliding in Walcott but he shot wide and Lampard
heading wide late on.