This game report is provided by Professor Richard Garrad, aka Hannah & Megan’s dad, and a fellow who carries a British passport.
The first game in the World Cup is nerve racking, for the fans, and I’m sure for the players and coaches. England had the best start possible. England was awarded a free kick about 30 yards out on the left hand side of the field and David Beckham curled a very dangerous ball into the Paraguayuan six-yard box. A defender managed to get his head on the ball but unfortunately for him the ball just skimmed off the top of his head and ended up in his own net. England was ahead and this early goal really ended up dictating how the game was played. The English defense and midfield were then able to snuff out most of the danger in the game and honestly few clear cut chances were created by either team from that point onward. Both teams had long range efforts that were on target, notably from Lampard for England and Mendez for Paraguay, but these didn’t create too much alarm in either defense. Personally I think some questions about the flank players arose as was probably expected before the tournament. Michael Owen at forward looks a shadow of himself at the moment and Crouch was mostly ineffective up front also. Joe Cole had some bright moments going forward, yet Gerrard didn’t look his usual rampaging self.
Paraguay is not one of the premier teams in the tournament yet it was still able to make going forward difficult for England throughout the game, without causing the English team many defensive problems. As an England fan I am pleased with the result without being really pleased with the performance, but hopefully first game nerves are now over and the team can play to its potential in matches to come.
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