LONDON (Reuters) - England goalkeeper Robert Green received stinging criticism at home on Sunday following an horrendous mistake which cost his side victory in their opening World Cup game against the United States on Saturday.
Millions of fans watching at home and in pubs across the country held their heads in their hands as West Ham United keeper Green let Clint Dempsey’s weak shot slip through his fingers in Rustenburg.
It wiped out Steven Gerrard’s early goal and the 1-1 draw now complicates England’s progress in the tournament.
“Hand of Clod” was the front page headline in the popular News of the World above the question Should Green be Dropped? The Sunday Mirror ran the same headline, a re-working of the “Hand of God” description of Diego Maradona’s controversial goal against England in 1986.
The Mail on Sunday also suggested that Green would be axed by England’s Italian coach Fabio Capello.
“Calamity! Robert Green faces England axe after howler hands Americans draw,” was its response to the mistake shortly before halftime in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Though Man U is my fave club I have to be frank that the furthest England will progress is up to the 1/4 final. That too I have my doubts.
While for France if the Anelka is still being fielded in the 1st 11 in place of Thierry Henry or other formidable striker, I think they can forget about reaching the next round.
I miss watching the South Korea/Greece match. Will South Korea be a strong contender for the semis or were they lucky?
