Rooney fails to shine as light goes out on England
Reuters - Monday 28 June 2010, 09:09
BLOEMFONTEIN - Wayne Rooney was meant to
be one of the shining lights at this World Cup but in the end
the England striker produced little more than a flicker.
The bulldozing 24-year-old came to South Africa on a wave of
accolades after scoring 34 goals in all competitions last season
having quickly mastered a new role in Manchester United's team.
When he talked of ambitions to out-perform Portugal's
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Fernando Torres of
Spain and Brazil's Kaka at the World Cup, few would have bet
against him.
Despite a phenomenal season, British media made much of
Rooney's lack of goals at international level heading into the
tournament, while also hailing him as England's great hope.
The pressure was perhaps too much. England, often toothless
in attack without a top form Rooney, kicked off their World Cup
with a 1-1 draw with the United States - forever to be
remembered for goalkeeper Robert Green's goal-gifting gaffe.
Next followed a dire 0-0 draw with Algeria and then an only
marginally improved 1-0 victory over Slovenia to ensure
qualification for the last 16 and a tie with rivals Germany.
In all three matches, Rooney was the man on England fans'
and commentators' lips. A marauding, energetic and passionate
frontman, the United player seemed bereft of his usual traits
and his touch was noticeably sporadic in quality.
REAL ROONEY
Everybody expected the 'real Rooney' to appear against
Germany at the Free State stadium on Sunday, only to witness
another frustrated figure cut in the sunshine as England were
crushed 4-1 and sent packing back to London.
Rooney's passion is there for all to see, although sometimes
it spills out in the wrong manner. He had to apologise for
criticising England fans who booed his team off after their
turgid display against Algeria.
As England's top marksman, he now has the unenviable record
of no goals in nine internationals, although many have said that
with 25 goals already in his 64 matches for England, he is on
course to break Bobby Charlton's long-standing record of 49
goals. Right now though, that seems a long way off.
Some critics blame England coach Fabio Capello's tactics for
the chalk and cheese of his performances at international and
domestic level, suggesting the players do not like their roles
which leads to Rooney's impact in matches being nullified.
"When the players play well, they play all the systems. We
always play this system in qualification and no one asks this
question," Capello told reporters after the Germany defeat.
The Italian has a point. England won nine of their 10 World
Cup qualifying matches playing largely the same system, scoring
34 goals and conceding six in the process.
Unfortunately, for Capello and England fans, the players
suddenly lacked confidence in South Africa and as the games went
on Rooney became less disciplined in his position and instead
went searching for a change in his and the team's fortunes.
Rooney is undoubtedly England's best player. The conundrum
for Capello is how to make the team use him to the great effect
Alex Ferguson and Manchester United do at club level.
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