Most teams dream of drawing San Marino is qualifying, two easy victories which are good for moral and keep their country loyal. Such a thing happened in 1992 when England were drawn to play San Marino in qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in America. They have only ever gained 2 point ever in qualifying (draws with Turkey and Latvia) and after one the Latvia coach resigned. In 2007 Northern Ireland beat them 2-1 thanks to a last minute goal and their manager was attacked viscously by the press. They've lost 11-0 to Holland, they've lost 13-0 to Germany, they only have one player whose scored more than once for the team.
As we like to think, we English are actually quite good at football, though we're not as good as we think we are. But we can hold are own against most of the top footballing nation. After thumping them 6-0 at Wembley, we were in high spirits but went on not to qualify. With the eyes of the world on us we headed to Italy (where San Marino play their games) to try and restore some pride. Then 7 seconds in...SAN MARINO 1-0 ENGLAND we conceded the fastest goal in world cup qualification history. Our biggest shame. We just conceded in seven seconds to a team whose idea of a good result in conceding less then 7 in a game, scoring a goal against England is like winning the world cup, scoring in seven seconds is like winning the world cup on Christmas day.
If you want to see click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHEpivi8aE
So yeah, our biggest shame. So next time we lose on penalties or get thumped by the Germans after predicting that we will win the world cup, just remember those minnows from San Marino and suddenly everything will be in perspective (even though we went on to win 7-1)
As we like to think, we English are actually quite good at football, though we're not as good as we think we are. But we can hold are own against most of the top footballing nation. After thumping them 6-0 at Wembley, we were in high spirits but went on not to qualify. With the eyes of the world on us we headed to Italy (where San Marino play their games) to try and restore some pride. Then 7 seconds in...SAN MARINO 1-0 ENGLAND we conceded the fastest goal in world cup qualification history. Our biggest shame. We just conceded in seven seconds to a team whose idea of a good result in conceding less then 7 in a game, scoring a goal against England is like winning the world cup, scoring in seven seconds is like winning the world cup on Christmas day.
If you want to see click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHEpivi8aE
So yeah, our biggest shame. So next time we lose on penalties or get thumped by the Germans after predicting that we will win the world cup, just remember those minnows from San Marino and suddenly everything will be in perspective (even though we went on to win 7-1)
Thing is can you clarify what you mean when you say England is good at football. Do you mean English players or English teams which are made up of European and far flung players? The only reason I am asking is we were discussing the future chances today for a young English lad to get into a premiership team and he has to compete with every other nation aswell as every other English hopeful trying to make it. As a football fan how does it feel for you, the second they get signed to an English team to you automatically perceive them as English players? I genuinely would like to read a post about how it works for your average fan as I just do not get it? Is it like an instant loyalty thing? Please explain to football novice like me. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a comparative thing. we have good players compared to most other teams in the world. This makes us a good team This good team isn't that good compared to other good teams, but we're good enough to beat most teams and hold our own against big teams.
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