It may have been two years ago, but the legacy of that night at Wembley when England were defeated 3-2 by tonight’s opponents Croatia lived on long into 2008. Although there was no one to blame but their own team, English fans still felt rightly aggrieved by their qualification exit. Not since 1994 had England failed to qualify for a major championship.
Watching another nation lift the European Championship in 2008 may not have been that unexpected, but for an English side not to be there to compete for it, was unbelievable. Winning tonight will not only secure England’s qualification to South Africa next year, but to show how far the side has come under Fabio Capello since he was appointed in January 2008.
It was a defeat so horrible that for most it doesn’t bear thinking about. After defeats in Zagreb, Moscow, and perhaps more surprisingly, draws in Tel-Aviv and at Wembley against Macedonia, a solitary point from the final game at home to Croatia would still have allowed England to progress. But after a damp squib of a performance, including an error from goalkeeper Scott Carson, England went down 3-2, and with it, went out of the tournament.
Just six weeks after the defeat in the capital, England were once again drawn with Slaven Bilic’s men in the qualifiers for the World Cup in 2010. This time under the leadership of Fabio Capello, it was time to turn the ship around. Watching the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland without English representation only went to fuel fans frustrations as to how they couldn’t qualify through a group that on paper they should have breezed.
Since then Capello’s England have been on a rampage, winning every game in their group thus far. The highlight being in Zagreb where a Theo Walcott hat-trick propelled England to a four one victory. England sit top of Group 6 with a 100% record, and although a draw tonight would probably be enough to secure qualification for South Africa, avenging two years ago will be on the players minds, along with keeping up their winning run.
By Bob Bamber
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I think it is important not to worry too much about avenging that defeat two years ago. Even if England lose tonight they will still be favourites to qualify. I’d like to see a measured, professional performance from England. Going out all guns blazing might be what some fans and media want (and expect), but I think England need to be a little more canny than that, or they could run into trouble.
I don’t think England’s performances have improved that much over two years, but a 100% qualifying record doesn’t lie. Capello knows how to get results.