Jun 112016
 

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Russia were able to secure a 1-1 draw with Englandin their first match of the 2016 Euro competition. England started the match on a high tempo, hoping to at least put the match to bed in the first half as they kept on hammering on the Russians but they had to wait until the 79th minute of the game to take the lead. They could not hold on to that lead until the end of the game and the three lions coach Roy Hodgson could be blamed for that draw.

England had a lot of chances to put the game to bed in the first half but they did not make it count. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney came close with a shot on target but it was not good enough to trouble Akinfeev, Russia’s goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Adams Lallana also came close on two occasions but his efforts could not give the three lions the lead they desired. Raheem Sterling was also another England player that made valuable contributions to the team in the first half. As it was both England and Russia could not break the dead lock in the first and the half ended 0-0.

the second half started with both teams now serious to make every effort count, threatening at every chance they had but there wasn’t any magic of the sort until the 79th minute when the referee awarded England a spot kick on the edge of the Russia goal area due to a foul on Harry Kane. Wayne Rooney and Eric dier both stood over the ball but it was the later who shot a thunderous ball past the wall and goalkeeper to give England the lead. Russia came out after this as it was now all or nothing for them.  The match ended in a stalemate and both teams would have to wait until their respective second matches to secure a win if they would get any in the competition.

Jun 072016
 

England-v-Portugal-Last-international-friendly-before-Euro-2016

Leicester City’s top striker Jamie Vardy who sparked the interest of a lot of top English clubs after leading the club to the Premier League title last season has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while now. Speculations have been flying around as to whether the English man would remain put with his current club or if the Gunners would be able to lure him away.

The talk about where he would be is hotting up while the striker is away at the Euro’s in France performing his national duty. Arsenal were hoping to tie up the deal for the England striker before the flew to France after triggering his £20million release clause in his contract. On the other hand, England coach Roy Hodgson doesn’t want any of his players distracted by transfer business while they are in France so the fact that the squad has jetted off is a setback for the gunners. The coach has even asked the player to forget about his potential Arsenal move and focus on being the best he can for the Three Lions.

Leicester City as a club doesn’t want the English man to leave as they have offered him an improved contract in a bid to keep him at the club. Vardy’s teammates have also made an emotional plea with him to stop him from leaving the foxes this summer. Jamie Vardy had earlier promised to give the Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger a reply by Monday but he ended up not contacting the french man and this has left Arsenal in the dark about their position. Arsene Wenger believes that the English man would have accepted Arsenal’s offer after they met his buy out clause that is,if indeed he was keen on joining the Gunners.

so whether the English man would remain at Leicester City or not is what we would have to wait to find out.

May 172016
 

England’s national team coach Roy Hodgson announced his preliminary 26 man squad for the world cup yesterday. There were mixed reactions as to the selection as is expected for a team with a pool of players to select from.

In the goal, Manchester City’s Joe Hart maintained his number one position after keeping 15 clean sheets in the just concluded season. He is joined by Fraser Foster of Southampton and Burnley’s Tom Heaten. the omission of Premier League Champions, Leicester City is something that has drawn a lot of attention as many people feel he is supposed to be the first to be called. he was head of the team’s defense as they made their run to the title.

In defense we have, Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) and Nathaniel Clyne (liverpool).

Also there is some reason to ask questions about selected midfielders, as Newcastle United Andros Townsend and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere were also included in the list. The 12 selected midfielders are Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Newcastle United) and Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

In attack, fast rising Manchester United star Marcos Rashford was the surprise inclusin as Jermaine Defoe was omitted. The manchester United youngster only made his debut for the senior team in February and has continued to impress both his manager and fans ever since. The selected attackers are as follows; Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).

Roy Hodgson would have to omit three people for his 23 man world cup squad and we wonder who those players would be. Only time can tell.