SPORTS
England supporters are used to travelling with high hopes and returning home in disappointment, but a battling quarter-final exit on penalties is one thing, Friday's appalling performance was quite another.
As England fans took to the bars of Cape Town in a bid to dull the pain, the same old question was on everyone's lips -- why can't the players reproduce their club form when wearing the national shirt?
England supporters are used to travelling with high hopes and returning home in disappointment, but a battling quarter-final exit on penalties is one thing, Friday''s appalling performance was quite another.
There was nothing unlucky about the goalless draw with Algeria and the shocking reality was that England looked second-best in most departments.
England's lineup of Premier League luminaries looked hopeless and hapless.
Coach Fabio Capello, seemingly as shell-shocked as everyone else, struggled to explain it. "I did not see the same spirit, this was not the same England team," said the Italian.
Capello promised changes for next week's decider against Slovenia, when a win will almost certainly be needed for progress to the second round.
At least one of those changes predicted by just about everyone who has watched an England game in the last 10 years will be the replacement of striker Emile Heskey with either Jermain Defoe or Peter Crouch.
A return of seven goals in 60 games should tell its own story but Heskey has remained popular with various England managers for the work he does in getting others into the game.
He is no longer doing that and when he was through on goal late in Friday''s game there could not have been a person watching who expected anything but the eventual outcome -- a tame shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Beyond that, however, Capello deserves some sympathy as he is generally picking the best players available.
Frank Lampard has just scored a remarkable 27 goals to help Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double but for England there were no signs of his trademark edge-of-the-box shots or bursts from deep.
Captain Steven Gerrard also failed to mimic the play that has made him an inspirational figure at Anfield. There was no questioning his desire but he just could not get anything right.
Aaron Lennon, who skins defenders for fun in the Premier League, not only failed miserably to beat the American or Algerian fullbacks, he did not even take them on, as one of the fastest players at the tournament preferred instead to turn inside and eventually lay the ball off.
And then there is Wayne Rooney. England's talisman, a true world class talent, has been anything but as he labours desperately and feeds on scraps.
After a blistering three-quarters of a season for Manchester United he has not scored, and not really looked fully fit, since twisting his ankle at the end of March.
Slaughtered in the English press for complaining about the England fans booing their own team, the frustrated striker looks like a red card waiting to happen.
"Rooney didn't play like Rooney but that is not the problem," said Capello.
Unfortunately for England the same line could have been applied to just about any of the team whose Premier League personas deserted them -- and it is precisely the problem.
TraderAI Review 2025: Scam or Legit Trading Platform? - Facts Check!
Vishal Dadlani meets with accident, postpones Pune concert: 'We regret to...'
Mallcom Breaks New Ground: Launches its D2C E-Commerce Store
IPL 2025 to start on THIS date, Rajat Patidar's RCB to face reigning champions KKR at Eden Gardens
World richest man Elon Musk gave THIS special gift to PM Modi, has SpaceX connection
'Frankly, I've been...': What US President Donald Trump said about Bangladesh crisis?
PM Modi-Trump's new formula: What is MAGA + MIGA = MEGA?
'His hand was over my...': Bigg Boss 18 fame Edin Rose shares SHOCKING casting couch experience
Meet CEO of one of world's biggest IT firms, who will undergo treatment for breast cancer
No bank holiday on Eid al-Fitr this year? Know reason behind this
Indian doctor claims THIS about paneer, milk, prompts debate on social media, netizens say...
Every home of THIS town owns a private jet, has unique street names, it is located in...
'Delight to meet Elon Musk's family...': PM Modi after call-on by Tesla CEO accompanied by his kids
Meet IAS officer, who cleared UPSC exam after getting inspired by Virat Kohli, her AIR was...
Happy Valentine's Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your partner
DNA TV Show: World Records in Mahakumbh 2025
Vidya Balan enjoys Sanam Teri Kasam in theatre, pens special note for team: 'Mawra aap kamaal ho'
Meet woman who owns Delhi's most expensive home worth Rs..., not Nita Ambani, Priti Adani
Samay Raina to perform in Mumbai on March 27 amid India's Got Latent controversy
Little girl's adorable dance to 'Khadke Glassy' wins hearts online, WATCH viral video
'Whole India in one coach’: Viral video shows chaos in first-class train to Mahakumbh, WATCH
Chhaava Movie Review: A groundbreaking epic that redefines the blockbuster experience
Gautam Adani pulls out of BIG Rs 8684 crore power project in THIS country due to...
Group of musicians perform iconic theme of 'Tom & Jerry' but here's a twist! WATCH viral video
ICC punishes Shaheen Afridi, two Pakistan stars for doing THIS vs South Africa
President's Rule imposed in Manipur days after N Biren Singh resigns as CM
Ramadan 2025: When will the holy month of Muslims begin in India? Know all details
Good news for India's richest banker, RBI lifts ban on his Rs 392000 crore company, allows it to...
WPL 2025 Opening Ceremony: Performers list, date, time, venue, live streaming - All you need to know
Meet man, aka coolest grandpa, who still works as actor and model at 89, he is from...
Meet IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam in 2009, now promoted to key post in GOI as...
Honda, Nissan call off Rs 521825 crore merger, the reason is…
Valentine's Day 2025: Why do we celebrate this day? Know here
Ne Zha 2: Everything you need to know about the Chinese animated blockbuster
How I Can Make Your Child into an Ivy Leaguer: A Parent’s Guide to Success with Caroline Linger
Meet China’s newest billionaire, who runs bubble tea business, his net worth is Rs...
Top Government Schemes for Farmers, Artisans, and Students You Should Not Miss!
Why did RCB chose Rajat Patidar as captain over Virat Kohli? Team director Mo Bobat explains
Valentine’s Day 2025: Perfect last-minute gifts ideas for your partner
Man who saved Rishabh Pant's life in 2022 car accident, attempts suicide with girlfriend, she dies
FASTag New rule: All you need to know to avoid extra charges from February 17
Throwback: How did Rohit Sharma propose to Ritika Sajdeh? WATCH viral video
Did Ram Charan unfollow Allu Arjun after his father took a dig at Game Changer? Here's what we know