体坛英语资讯：England fails to qualify for Euro 2008_娱乐

体坛英语资讯：England fails to qualify for Euro 2008

Ivica Olic then doubled Croatia's lead and despite a fightback that yielded a Frank Lampard penalty and an equaliser from Peter Crouch, England could have little complaint about the final outcome.

Israel's last-minute winner against Russia may have reduced the scale of England's task but it was one that had to be accomplished in the absence of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and the first-choice centreback pairing of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

There was no place for David Beckham in the improvised starting line-up that resulted, McClaren opting instead for the pace of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

A bright start by the Chelsea winger suggested the hapless manager may have got that judgement right but it only took a little over seven minutes for the gamble inherent in his other big selection call to be exposed.

Kranjcar did not appear to represent any great danger as he picked up a crossfield pass in the inside left channel, nearly 40 yards from goal.

And although he was able to sidestep Micah Richards with ease, the Portsmouth midfielder could never have expected that a hopeful shot struck only slightly to Carson's left would would find the back of the net.

That it did may have been partly due to the fact that it spun off the sodden turf just in front of the goalkeeper, but he will be judged harshly for failing to get his body properly behind the ball.

England's predictably furious response should have yielded an equaliser three minutes later but, after an incisive run by Joe Cole and a deft lay-off from Crouch, Wright-Phillips placed his shot from 12 yards straight at Stipe Pletikosa in Croatia's goal.