London, August 13: Fabio Capello called England “stupid” and “silly” last night for the mistakes by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry that gave away two goals to the Netherlands, but the England manager was rescued by Jermain Defoe’s double that snatched a 2-2 draw.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker laid down a marker that he, rather than the out-of-favour Michael Owen, should go to the World Cup next summer with two second half goals after Dirk Kuyt and Rafael Van der Vaart had scored for the Netherlands. England’s comeback was also marked by an impressive debut from James Milner who was integral to Defoe’s second goal.
Of the goals gifted to the Netherlands by misplaced passes in the first half, Capello said: “These were just two stupid mistakes. Two silly mistakes.” He said he did not resort to one of famous volcanic eruptions at half-time with his side 2-0 down. “The mistakes of this evening I can accept [as freakish],” he said. “I don’t accept mistakes where the position is wrong or if I try doing something in training and then, afterwards, I don’t see it being put into practice on the pitch.”
–Agencies