THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 19 Criticism fires up England for Euro’s last 16 CHANTILLY: England’s under-fire goalkeeper Joe Hart British newspapers branded Hodgson’s side “second standing here having won 2-0 and it would look an FAN FERVOR is backing the Three Lions to prove critics of their goal- rate” and “Toothless Lions” for their lack of finishing. even better decision, but at the end of it, we’ll be less draw with Slovakia wrong in the Euro 2016 knock- Hart has been slammed on social media after each of ready for the next game.” Hart takes heart from out phase. Hart acknowledged the “tension” caused England’s performances in France. England’s performances so far. “We are going to look by England’s second draw which left the side waiting He also could only stand and watch as Russia’s to build on three good performances. Result-wise to meet the Group F runners-up-either Iceland, Vasili Berezutski headed in a 92nd-minute equaliser in they’ve not been great, but performance-wise I don’t Portugal, Hungary or Austria-in Nice on Monday in the the 1-1 opening draw with Russia. think anyone will be looking forward to playing us,” he last 16. The Three Lions arrived at the European cham- said. “But there’s no point talking about ifs and buts - pionship finals among the favourites after winning all FRESH LEGS AND QUALITY we’ve finished second. “It’s Monday in Nice and we’re 10 of their qualifying games. More flak came after Gareth Bale’s free-kick beat going to be ready for it.” Like his manager before him, But having finished second in Group B behind him in the 2-1 win over Wales. Critics said Hart had Hart says it is just a matter of time before England find Wales, Roy Hodgson’s England has been hammered been out of place. He irked England fans further after their finishing. “We’ve come up against some really back home for failing to turn any of their 29 shots into the Slovakia draw by saying he “hasn’t had anything to resilient defending, but everyone is well aware that goals in Monday’s goalless draw with Slovakia. Hart do in the whole tournament to be honest”. “It’s foot- there’s going to be a game where we do start getting said the squad must suck up the attacks and focus on ball and I’m a goalkeeper: if the ball goes in, I’m going what we deserve,” said Hart. reaching the quarter-finals. to get looked at,” said Hart. “And that’s going to be a good day.” With France “It’s going to create tension and stories have got to Hodgson was heavily criticised for making six lurking as potential quarter-final opponents, should be written, but we’ve got to remain focused,” said 29- changes against Slovakia, but Hart rejected the notion both team win their last 16 matches, Hart is relishing year-old Manchester City goalkeeper. “We’ve got a job that the England boss gambled. “We have a 23-man the possibility of facing a side who wants to attack. in hand and that’s what’s important to us. squad and you could pick anyone,” said the England “It depends. It will be nice because we’ll get more “The questions come from the outside, not the shot-stopper. “Everyone deserves to be in the team on room but at the same time it brings more danger,” said inside. “We are very confident of what we’ve got in the merit. “To go far in the tournament you need fresh the 29-year-old. “We’re well drilled and well balanced group. “We’re united, together and we want to go as legs - and when you’ve got the quality that we’ve got in what we do, we feel good in defence and looking far as we can.” Following the Slovakia draw, several then it was the right decision. “I would love to be forward to the next game.” — AFP Perisic sensational goal stuns champions Spain BORDEAUX: Ivan Perisic struck a sensational winner three minutes from time as Croatia ended Spain’s 14- game unbeaten run at the European Championship finals to top Group D after a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. Spain will now face Italy in the last 16 in Paris on Monday in a repeat of the 2012 final. Alvaro Morata’s early strike got Spain off to a flying start. But despite the absence of Luka Modric through injury, Croatia battled back to equalise before half-time through Nikola Kalinic. Spain captain Sergio Ramos saw a penalty saved by Danijel Subasic 18 minutes from time. And that miss proved vital when Perisic snuck the ball home at David de Gea’s near post. Croatia meet one of the best third-placed sides in Lens on Saturday. Spain could also have to face world champions Germany in the quarter-finals and hosts France in the semi-finals if they are to reach the final in Paris on July 10. “Now we have to dance with the favourites, but to be champions you have to beat everyone,” said Ramos, who vowed Spain will learn from their mis- takes. Coach Vicente del Bosque would rather have avoided an early meeting with the on-form Italians. ITALY CLASH “It is not ideal, that would have been to finish first (in the group),” said Del Bosque. “We have to recover well. We are prepared to turn this situation around.” Morata’s return to European champions Real Madrid from Juventus had been con- firmed earlier on Tuesday. And he moved level with club teammate Gareth Bale on three goals in the fight for the golden boot by finishing off a slick Spanish move after seven minutes. David Silva’s cute reverse pass picked out Cesc Fabregas’s run and the Chelsea midfielder’s cross was tapped into an empty net by Morata. Spain looked rarely troubled at the back in their opening two games, but were given plenty of prob- lems by Croatia even without star midfielder Modric. Kalinic stung the palms of David de Gea before forcing an error from the Manchester United ‘keeper BORDEAUX: Croatia’s Darijo Srna, left, tackles Spain’s David Silva during the Euro 2016 Group D soccer as he dallied. The loose ball fell to Ivan Rakitic and his match between Croatia and Spain at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France, Tuesday. — AP brilliant chipped effort floated over Barcelona team- record 733 minutes. The goal knocked Spain out of Aritz Aduriz. Spain were then handed a great chance mate Gerard Pique on the line before coming back off their stride as Croatia pushed them onto the back to retake the lead when referee Bjorn Kuipers both the crossbar and post. foot at the start of the second period. De Gea saved adjudged Silva had been pushed by Sime Vrsaljko Morata had a great chance to double Spain’s lead from Tin Jedvaj to atone for his own error in flapping inside the area. Modric appeared to send on a mes- when he failed to control Fabregas’s fine through ball at a cross before Marko Pjaca sent an acrobatic effort sage to Subasic when he saw his Real Madrid team- with just Subasic to beat. However, Del Bosque’s men just wide from the rebound. mate Ramos step up to take the spot-kick. were pegged back right on half-time when Perisic’s Pjaca also had claims for a penalty waved away as And Subasic got lucky as his save was allowed to cross from the left was flicked home by Kalinic. Croatia threatened the goal that would have taken stand despite the fact he had encroached well before It was the first time Spain had conceded in 11 them top of the group. Ramos took aim. Croatia took full advantage to blow competitive games stretching back to October 2014 Del Bosque withdrew front two Nolito and Morata the tournament wide open as Perisic lashed home to and first time they had conceded in the Euros for a for the more physical presence of Bruno Soriano and round off a clinical counter-attack. — AFP Del Bosque had warned Spain’s players of Perisic threat BORDEAUX: Spain coach Vicente del Bosque defend- ed his players after a 2-1 defeat by Croatia on Tuesday that means they must face old rivals Italy in the round of 16. He pointed out, however, that they had been warned about the sort of break with which Ivan Perisic scored the winning goal. “We had spoken about Perisic and how dangerous he was in counter-attacks,” Del Bosque told Spanish television network Telecino when asked about the Inter Milan striker. “We are disappointed. The path now might be seen as more difficult but you never know where the danger is.” Although it was a first defeat in 15 matches at the finals for Spain since they lost to Portugal in 2004, they did recover from an opening defeat by Switzerland to win the 2010 World Cup. “We’ve won the right still to be in the competition,” said Del Bosque. “I’m not going to defend the performance excessively but we haven’t played badly and I don’t really have any complaints about the players.” PENALTY TAKER Asked about the choice of penalty taker for the spot kick captain Sergio Ramos missed, Del Bosque said there was a group of players and “the one who PARIS: Croatia fans pose as they watch the Euro 2016 group D football match between Croatia and Spain has the most confidence takes it”.