I suppose England didn't deserve to be World Cup Semi Finalists because they were not good enough. Tactically Sven got it wrong, his squad selection was wrong and the big players didn't perform. Another poor, albeit technically unlucky exit in the Quarter Finals seemingly was always in the script.
Our best players were Crouch, Lennon and Hargreaves - the fringe players.
However Rooney shouldnt have been sent off. I am convinced he's gone for the push on Ronaldo. The ref springs into action when he see's the push having stood on the spot giving Portugal a free kick for a good 10 seconds. And a push is not a red card.
Secondly I didnt see a stamp. I saw contact between foot and thigh - but Rooneys feet have to go somewhere and he was being honest trying to win the ball. He's fighting for it (getting fouled but is too honest to dive) and then Carvalho (I think) goes to ground - and Rooneys feet, like I say, have to go somewhere. If you look at his eyes he's always looking at the ball. I think Ronaldos behaviour was unsurprising but disgraceful. You dont see English players diving, cheating and trying to get players sent off. Its not jingoistic - its true.
So I have big grievances with the red card - and I have huge grievances over the way this World Cup has been conducted. Its made me physically sick to see all the diving, cheating and trying to get fellow pro's sent off. Its sick - and it has spoilt this game. How many games have been spoilt by an unfair or harsh red card?
How many great modern pros have we seen degrade themselves by rolling on the ground like they've been hit by a speeding truck? Remember Rivaldo 2002? Tip of the iceberg. That happens all the time everygame but the cameras can't prove it as conclusively as they could then.
Anyway England, on the balance of it, don't deserve to be there. But the red card leaves a bitter taste in my mouth - and the entire World Cup, and the way its been refereed has left me feeling cheated. I wanna watch football.
Just watched the incident on the news there and I reckon that although Rooney is not looking at the player, there is definate "backward" movement in his action. He wasn't planting his foot to stand, he was hitting out. Having said that, I think the referee was initially going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Even though Ronaldo was looking to get him in trouble, I don't think the ref was going to even book him until the push. Anyway, swings and roundabouts. Don't think either team was looking like they had it in them to score.
Forza Italia
__________________
Barry George is an innocent man Sean Hodgson is an innocent man
SHP wrote: Erm you do realise i was talking to you dont you? No i'm far too retarded You might wanna try talking to someone who actually has a remote interest in anything you have to say.....that way you might get a response -- Edited by Caz at 13:15, 2006-07-04
I think the more intelligent people on here not only understand what I say - but they also probably agree. The fact not many people are arguing with my original statement probably goes to show that most Scots agree that Rooney shouldnt have been sent off - but also would agree England didnt deserve to go through (altho neither did Portugal). I also feel most Scots would lament the volume of cheating that has occured in this tournument.
A fairer World Cup Semi Final draw would, in my opinion, include Australia, Spain, Brazil and Germany.
