England held 2-2 by Swiss in Euro 2012 qualifying
Jun 06, 2011, with Comments: 0
Gms: from en.news.maktoob.com, WEMBLEY, By ROB HARRIS, AP, 6 June 2011
England’s wretched defending gifted Switzerland a 2-2 draw in their 2012 European Championship qualifier on Saturday.
Tranquillo Barnetta scored a rapid first-half double. His first free kick curled over Rio Ferdinand and bounced before wrong footing goalkeeper Joe Hart after 32 minutes. A second free kick three minutes later went through England’s defensive wall and beat Hart at his near post.
Frank Lampard pulled one back from the penalty spot for England in the 37th minute and substitute Ashley Young leveled with a powerful strike six minutes into the second half.
“I was disappointed for the goals that they scored, not for the first one but for the second because the wall needed to stay tight and not move,” Capello said. “The Switzerland players were fresher, they have had a different season. We suffered because we arrived without energy.”
Darren Bent squandered two chances to claim a winner for England, which was missing suspended striker Wayne Rooney.
England remains top of Group G ahead of second-place Montenegro on goal difference. Montenegro drew 1-1 with Bulgaria at home.
Switzerland is third with five points, six adrift of the leaders.
With three games to go and only the top team guaranteed a spot at Euro 2012, the dropped points mean it is far from certain that England will qualify.
England has now drawn three of its last four matches at Wembley and lost the other
Other results in Euro 2012 qualifying
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