TWO MORE WINS FOR ENGLAND

 

(Image taken from ITV)

 

With the English club season well underway it was once again time for the Three Lions to step back into the spotlight, and continue their Euro 2012 qualifying Group G campaign. It was a less than ideal run in to the latest international double header though with Gary Neville referring to England as a waste of time and Fergie expressing even stronger opinions about the lack of appreciation of United's contribution to the national team. Gary in particular had a point, the sound of "stand up if you hate Man U" from fans that are meant to be supporting United players in England shirts has become seriously annoying over the years. Still, that'll be the least of Fabio's concerns - time for England to secure a spot in another tournament.

First up came Bulgaria at the Vassil Levski Stadion. This didn't prove to be much of a challenge for the Three Lions as first Cahil got his first ever international goal then Rooney took over, hitting the net once in the middle of the first half then a second time just before half time. The second half turned into a training session though with the home side unable to offer muchg resistance. England came close to getting a fourth but the Bulgarians were spared that embarrassment at least. Very smooth stuff and nothing to complain about for Fabio, over than some scumbas in the crowd being racist towards our black players. Chalk up another three points.

Next up came Wales at Wembley. This time around England's early performance wasn't so smooth and the Welsh defence proved to be pretty stubborn, but still the Three Lions were ahead at half time thanks to Young. England turned up the heat after half time but were unable to put any of their chances away. The Welsh had a go at getting an equaliser but their efforts were very iffy and theie best one was blown in spectacular fashion. Bottom line. job done for England and chalk up another three points. Fabio wasn't happy though, feeling that his players could have done better and that their body language of all things was off!

Elsewhere, Wales faced Montenegro at Cardiff City Stadium. Norwich's Steve Morison opened the scoring for the Welsh after the visitors had proved problematic early in the game and the home side were looking pretty smooth going into at half time. More joy was to come in the second half for Gary Speed's crew when Aaron Ramsey hit the net. Montenegro did pull one back though Stevan Jovetic but congratulations to the Welsh for holding on for their first win of the campaign. That leaves England top of qualifying Group G, six points ahead of Montenegro and the playoff mixer and on course for POLUKR though Montenegro have a game in hand. Wales are still down in 5th, eight points behind Montenegro and have now officially missed out on another major tournament.

Scotland were in qualifying Group I action. First up came a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Hampden Park. The Scots were one up at half time and forced the Czechs to equalise twice, the second time with a dodgy seeming late penalty. Then came a 1-0 with over Lithuania at Hampden Park. The Scots missed a pennalty just before half time which left the match goalless at the interval only to hit the net early in the second half. So the Scots move up to 3rd in the group, two points behind the Czech Republic and the playoff mixer so as things stand the Tartan Army are still not going to POLUKR. However the Scots are certainly not done yet.

(Image taken from Scottish FA)

Northern Ireland were in qualifying Group C action. For starters they were beaten 1-0 by Serbia at Windsor Park. The goalless first half was actually fairly promising for Nigel Worthington's crew but that all crumbled after a dodgy back pass allowed the Serbs to hit the winner. Then came a 4-1 defeat to Estonia at the Le Coq arena. The shambles of the performance from the men in green was summed up by the fact that their only goal that night was an Estonian og! So, NI slip down to 5th in the group, five points behind Serbia and the playoff mixer. They are not heading for POLUKR as things stand and their chances of qualifying hang by a thread.

The Republic of Ireland were in qualifying Group B action. First up was a 0-0 draw with Slovakia which only really got ging in the latter stages and even then the men in green blew the chances they were given to win the match! Then came another 0-0 draw, this time with Russia at the Luziniki Stadium. That turned out to be a very tough battle in which the men in green did well to come out with a point after the hosts through everything they had at them! That leaves the Republic in 2nd place in the group and in the playoff mixer. Two point behind Russia and a spot in POLUKR and one point ahead of Armenia and non-qualification.

So, finally, let's look at the playoff mixer and that virtual group is currently made up of the following teams: Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Bosnia, Sweden, Greece, Montenegro, Denmark and the Czech Republic. The main team of interest in that bunch for me is the Repluclic of Ireland who are 4th in the virtual group, three points off Sweden and a place in POLUKR. So they're currently on course for the playoffs instead.

So, England still on course for POLUKR with another British Isles side heading for the playoffs. Not so bad.

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