Frustrated England survive Slovakia scare

AFP, SAINT-ÉTIENNE (FRANCE): Roy Hodgson’s England secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 but were condemned to finishing as runners-up in Group B after being held to a goalless draw by Slovakia on Monday.
Wales’ 3-0 win over Russia in Toulouse meant the Three Lions dropped to second in the group, behind their neighbours.
Slovakia must now wait to see if they qualify as one of four best third-place teams after their goalkeeper Matus Kozacik pulled off a string of saves — some more luck than judgement.
The Slovakia shot-stopper was man-of-the-match and after the match he backed the England to progress past the last 16.
England will now play their last 16 game in Nice next Monday against the side who finishes second in Group F, with Hungary, Portugal, Iceland and Austria all still in contention.
“It’s disappointing that we had all the play and had all chances around their box, I can’t deny that, but we have players who can score goals and will score goals,” insisted Hodgson.
“Yet again, this is a game we should have won, because everything we did on the field put us in a position to win, but we didn’t use those corners and free-kicks to get the win.
“It’s a frustration myself and the players will have to live with.”
This was another night of opportunities missed for England fans in Saint-Etienne. It was at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard where David Beckham was sent off as England lost to Argentina on penalties in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup.

Frustrated England survive Slovakia scare

AFP, SAINT-TIENNE (FRANCE): Roy Hodgsons England secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 but were condemned to finishing as runners-up in Group B after being held to a goalless draw by Slovakia on Monday. Wales 3-0 win over Russia in Toulouse meant the Three Lions dropped to second in the group, behind their neighbours. Slovakia must now wait to see if they qualify as one of four best third-place teams after their goalkeeper Matus Kozacik pulled off a string of saves some more luck than judgement. The Slovakia shot-stopper was man-of-the-match and after the match he backed the England to progress past the last 16. England will now play their last 16 game in Nice next Monday against the side who finishes second in Group F, with Hungary, Portugal, Iceland and Austria all still in contention. Its disappointing that we had all the play and had all chances around their box, I cant deny that, but we have players who can score goals and will score goals, insisted Hodgson. Yet again, this is a game we should have won, because everything we did on the field put us in a position to win, but we didnt use those corners and free-kicks to get the win. Its a frustration myself and the players will have to live with. This was another night of opportunities missed for England fans in Saint-Etienne. It was at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard where David Beckham was sent off as England lost to Argentina on penalties in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup.