Someone will pay, says Hodgson after frustrated England held by Slovakia - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Someone will pay, says Hodgson after frustrated England held by Slovakia

ByAFP, Saint-étienne, France
Jun 21, 2016 08:15 AM IST

England manager Roy Hodgson vowed that a looming Euro 2016 opponent will “pay” for his side’s domination of games but failure to score.

England manager Roy Hodgson vowed that a looming Euro 2016 opponent will “pay” for his side’s domination of games but failure to score.

England's Jamie Vardy, Dele Alli and Roy Hodgson after their match against Slovakia at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France.(Reuters Photo)
England's Jamie Vardy, Dele Alli and Roy Hodgson after their match against Slovakia at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France.(Reuters Photo)

Hodgson, whose contract ends after the European Championship finals, admitted his frustration after the 0-0 draw with Slovakia that meant the team finished second in Group B behind rivals Wales.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I have to say I don’t think we could have done too much more than we did -- we dominated the game from start to finish and had so many attempts and so many chances as well, and one day we’re going to put those chances away,” Hodgson said.

“As far as I’m concerned, I can’t fault the effort and the work the lads put in,” added Hodgson, who made six changes to his starting line-up for the match in Saint-Etienne.

“It’s a little bit embarrassing that we’ve played three games now and in each it’s been attack versus defence.

“I actually never thought I’d see an England team in a tournament be able to dominate three games as much as we’ve done, so that gives me some sort of satisfaction.”

“I’m pretty sure that sooner or later we’re going to make somebody, pay because if we keep dominating and creating chances like that we’re going to score goals one day.”

An England fan wears a mask of Queen Elizabeth II as he rides on the shoulders of his mates gathering in Saint Etienne ahead of their team's match against Slovakia. (Reuters Photo)
An England fan wears a mask of Queen Elizabeth II as he rides on the shoulders of his mates gathering in Saint Etienne ahead of their team's match against Slovakia. (Reuters Photo)

Wales won the group thanks to their 3-0 defeat of Russia, leaving England to face the runners-up in Group F in Nice next Monday, and possibly facing a quarter-final against hosts France.

Not afraid of France

“The way we are playing I’m not frightened of anybody,” the manager said in his comments to British TV.

But in a later press conference, Hodgson cut a frustrated figure.

“It’s disappointing that we had all the play and had all chances around their box, I can’t deny that, but we have players who can score goals and will score goals,” fumed the England boss.

“Yet again, this is a game we should have won, because everything we did on the field put us in a position to win, but we didn’t use those corners and freekicks to get the win.”

“It’s a frustration myself and the players will have to live with.”

Among the six changes in his starting line-up, Hodgson included Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, who had scored off the bench in the 2-1 win over Wales.

The England boss baulked when asked if he had tinkered too much.

“The players who had been left out, came on,” he said.

“We finished with Vardy and Sturridge on (against Wales) and it was really positive, now they are just part of the ‘six changes’ and it’s a negative -- you can’t have it all ways.”

“We will be criticised for not taking our chances, I can’t do anything about that, but I think we will hit a team with a lot of goals.”

“We can’t just control matches for a lot of the games and pass the ball around.”

Slovakia's Robert Mak (right) watches as England goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) collides with England's Chris Smalling during the Euro 2016 Group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo)
Slovakia's Robert Mak (right) watches as England goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) collides with England's Chris Smalling during the Euro 2016 Group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo)

Hodgson congratulated Wales on winning the group -- albeit grudgingly.

“Russia had little to play for, but we congratulate Wales on winning the group, that’s a good effort in their behalf,” he said.

“We’d wanted to win the group, so finishing second will have to be okay for us.”

Hodgson said he would like to meet the French in the quarterfinals, if both teams progress that far.

“I have a great respect for the French team, but first of all we need to win the round of 16, I don’t count my chickens (before they hatch),” said Hodgson.

“If we do get them, I think it will be different to the games against Wales, Russia and Slovakia, as they will attack us.”

“That will give us a chance to show we are a good counter-attacking team, if a side wants to come out and have a go at us.”

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now! Catch all the Latest WPL Schedule 2024 and Live score along with WPL Points Table, IPL Schedule and WTC related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On