Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / INTERNATIONALS
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

12:10 GMT, Sunday, 7 September 2008 13:10 UK

Andorra coach hits out at Capello

David Rodrigo

Andorra coach David Rodrigo has mocked counterpart Fabio Capello following England's stuttering 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Barcelona.

Capello spoke out against Andorra's defensive tactics but Spaniard Rodrigo claims England would have won by more had he been manager.

"Mr Capello says he does not understand Andorra's defensive tactics," he said.

"Well he can try coaching Andorra and I will try coaching England - I am sure we will beat Andorra by more than 2-0."

Joe Cole came off the bench to score both the goals in an unconvincing display from England.

Despite enjoying by far the most possession, England were kept at bay throughout the first half and, even at 2-0 up, prompted jeers from their own supporters in Barcelona.

The scenes were reminiscent of an equally lacklustre display the last time England played Andorra in March 2007, when Steven Gerrard inspired Steve McClaren's men to a 3-0 victory.

And Rodrigo said: "I see the English media make jokes about the players of Andorra because they are not professionals and some of them are working outside of playing football.

606: DEBATE
Does the Andorra coach have a point?
"But those 11 guys make the English supporters go against their own team and get negative - just like they did two years ago. What does that say?

"It means whenever Andorra can manage to play 11 professional players, England will lose the game.

"We know we can't beat England now but, even if we lost on the scoreboard, we have to say we were moral winners of the match."

England now face Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday desperate for an improved performance against the side that topped their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

But Rodrigo had few words of comfort for Capello ahead of the match, saying: "Who is going to top the group? I think Croatia play excellent football - in attack, good defensive football, they are fast and are strong.

"They know how to play with or without the ball, with or without the space, I think Croatia are the favourites to qualify - and Belarus could be the dark horses too."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Capello angry with Cole & Rooney (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Capello considering Cole recall (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
England role frustrates Gerrard (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
England must raise game in Zagreb (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Lawro on England (06 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Andorra 0-2 England (06 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Pick your England XI (31 Aug 07 |  Internationals )
Capello demands managers' respect (06 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Bullard called into England squad (31 Aug 08 |  Internationals )
Terry expects England improvement (21 Aug 08 |  Internationals )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
England
Uefa
Fifa
Football on the BBC
Your say - 606 International football
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©