Slovakia vs England match analysis:
Following England’s heroic last-gasp winner in stoppage time against Wales, hopes were high ahead of a match with Slovakia, where a win of any kind would be enough to secure 1st place in the group and ensure that we would be facing a third placed team in the last 16. Although on paper it seemed like a straight forward win for England, this would not be the case, as despite a match long assault on the Slovakian goal, Roy’s boy’s were unable to find the back of the net, meaning that yet again English fans were left disappointed, with top spot in Group B being stolen from our grasp by the Welsh whom recorded a straightforward 3-0 victory which sent Russia crashing out of the tournament (I doubt they’ll be missed).
Hodgson had rung the changes for this final group game, with there being six changes from the line up against the Welsh, both full backs were replaced, as well as Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson coming into the midfield, with Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge also coming into the side following their goals in the previous outing. The match itself started very promisingly with England dominating and keeping the ball in the Slovakian half, although this was to be a trend for the entire 90 minutes. Jamie Vardy was the first Englishman to squander a glorious chance as following an exquisite ball in behind by Jordan Henderson, he found himself in a position in which he routinely scored from for Leicester throughout the season however in this case with his nation watching on in anticipation Vardy fired straight at the keeper wasting a golden opportunity. Henderson, Lallana and Sturridge would also be among the plethora of players who failed to convert chances laid on plate for themselves, however it would be full back Clyne who had England’s chance of the half as following a terrific run up field he would only see his shot deflect off keeper Kozacik and sail harmlessly over the bar. However despite their sheer dominance it at one point looked like England had thrown all of their hard work away, as following a moment of hesitance from Three lion’s keeper Joe hart and centre back Chris Smalling, Slovakian forward Robert Mak was left with simplest of chances, but thankfully he failed to make proper contact letting Hart and Smalling off the hook, this moment does however raise questions over England’s frailties at the back, as it was the defence that had been seen as our main weakness pre tournament.
The second half proved to be very much more of the same for England, with the ball predominantly staying in the Slovakian half, substitute Delle Alli saw his half volley cleared off the line, when it seemed almost impossible for the ball not to end up in the net. Despite our dominance and attacking substitutions England were only able to must up one other clear scoring opportunity, as following a ball over the top by Eric Dier, forward Daniel Sturridge somehow managed to miss the ball when attempting to shoot, this chance came just yards away from the Slovakian goal. The last 10 minutes were filled with ridiculous time wasting from the Slovakians, with players constantly going down injured and bringing a pause to proceedings as a result, even though it seemed as if they had no injury at all.
This all meant England fans would yet again be left feeling frustrated after watching their country, as despite great chances and 30 shots on the Slovakian goal the match ended in 0-0, meaning England could be left with last-16 tie against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal next Monday. Roy Hodgson has an entire week to prepare his players for their first (and perhaps last) knockout match of the tournament and to hopefully help his strikers find their shooting boots, as if he fails to do this the game next Monday may prove to be Roy Hodgson’s final outing as England manager.
Hodgson had rung the changes for this final group game, with there being six changes from the line up against the Welsh, both full backs were replaced, as well as Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson coming into the midfield, with Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge also coming into the side following their goals in the previous outing. The match itself started very promisingly with England dominating and keeping the ball in the Slovakian half, although this was to be a trend for the entire 90 minutes. Jamie Vardy was the first Englishman to squander a glorious chance as following an exquisite ball in behind by Jordan Henderson, he found himself in a position in which he routinely scored from for Leicester throughout the season however in this case with his nation watching on in anticipation Vardy fired straight at the keeper wasting a golden opportunity. Henderson, Lallana and Sturridge would also be among the plethora of players who failed to convert chances laid on plate for themselves, however it would be full back Clyne who had England’s chance of the half as following a terrific run up field he would only see his shot deflect off keeper Kozacik and sail harmlessly over the bar. However despite their sheer dominance it at one point looked like England had thrown all of their hard work away, as following a moment of hesitance from Three lion’s keeper Joe hart and centre back Chris Smalling, Slovakian forward Robert Mak was left with simplest of chances, but thankfully he failed to make proper contact letting Hart and Smalling off the hook, this moment does however raise questions over England’s frailties at the back, as it was the defence that had been seen as our main weakness pre tournament.
The second half proved to be very much more of the same for England, with the ball predominantly staying in the Slovakian half, substitute Delle Alli saw his half volley cleared off the line, when it seemed almost impossible for the ball not to end up in the net. Despite our dominance and attacking substitutions England were only able to must up one other clear scoring opportunity, as following a ball over the top by Eric Dier, forward Daniel Sturridge somehow managed to miss the ball when attempting to shoot, this chance came just yards away from the Slovakian goal. The last 10 minutes were filled with ridiculous time wasting from the Slovakians, with players constantly going down injured and bringing a pause to proceedings as a result, even though it seemed as if they had no injury at all.
This all meant England fans would yet again be left feeling frustrated after watching their country, as despite great chances and 30 shots on the Slovakian goal the match ended in 0-0, meaning England could be left with last-16 tie against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal next Monday. Roy Hodgson has an entire week to prepare his players for their first (and perhaps last) knockout match of the tournament and to hopefully help his strikers find their shooting boots, as if he fails to do this the game next Monday may prove to be Roy Hodgson’s final outing as England manager.
As usual England flatter to deceive as at every Championship
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