Going the distance

Tuesday 26 June 2012

twelve yards are all that separate the penalty spot and the goals.

Roy Hodgson's side were overcome by Italy

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The distance between England and a place in the semi-finals of the European Championships stretches much further. Roy Hodgson's side were defeated in the quarter-finals by Italy in yet another penalty shoot-out, yet their failings had been exposed before Ashley Young and Ashley Cole faltered from the spot.

The manner of their exit was unfortunate, mainly because it bestows upon this England team a sense of heroism they do not deserve. Hodgson's side had discomfited Italy's defence during some fraught early exchanges on Sunday night but his tactics after the break actively encouraged the Azzurri to pick their way forward. Which they did. Repeatedly.The belated introduction of Andy Carroll was met with unconvincing defending by the Italians but his physicality was mitigated by his team-mates refusal to edge forward in support. The Liverpool striker offers little more than a prosaic threat, yet he was hardly helped by the inefficiency of the more coveted Wayne Rooney. Indeed, nobody in an England shirt was helped by the peripheral Manchester United striker.Rooney was forced to wait for the chance to announce himself at the tournament having received a two-match suspension but, a simple goal against co-hosts Ukraine aside, he mustered only a whimper. The England striker was mute against the Italians.And yet he remains one of the few illustrious talents available to Hodgson. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard – who missed out through injury – and John Terry are all integral components of their national side but they are ageing and there are no obvious replacements of comparable experience to step in. Much is expected of Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but they are still developing.There is an unevenness to how young new players come through to the national side. Germany – who Italy will now meet in the semi-finals – comprise a team of young, vibrant players in almost every position. Joachim Loew's squad have achieved only modest success at international level, of course, but this is a generation which is able to mature and improve together, with the academy system in the country set up to introduce further talent.The FA have taken similar steps, although the fruits of that decision will not be evident for a number of years. It is likely that England will be made to endure similar disappointment at major finals while they wait. At least the syllabus has belatedly been amended to encourage ball skills rather than physical prowess, something which has been evident in other European players for years.Players like Andrea Pirlo. It would be simplistic to blame England's exit on their inability to handle the mental pressures of a penalty shoot-out, but the Italian midfielder's audacious kick – dismissively chipping in from 12 yards – was as frightening to England as it was delectable to everybody else. Pirlo knew England were nervous. He wanted to show them that he was not.There will be an inquest into why another England team seemingly cannot cope when invited to kick a ball just 12 yards from goal, with some already suggesting that sports psychologists should be drafted in to ensure this problem does not persist. It is a novel idea but England still have a long way to go if they are to become a force at a major finals.

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Going the distance

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