England snatch draw in Euro qualifiers

Pavlyuchenko’s hat-trick sinks Armenia.

LONDON:

England fought back to secure a 2-2 draw in their Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland after two goalkeeping errors from Joe Hart threatened to send Fabio Capello’s side spinning to defeat.

A Frank Lampard penalty and a second-half strike from substitute Ashley Young saved England’s blushes after two first-half goals in three minutes from Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta.

But while England may take a crumb of satisfaction at having gained a draw, Capello will be dismayed by a poor display. In the second-half striker Darren Bent prompted howls of disbelief when he missed an open goal from eight yards on 71 minutes out that would almost certainly have sealed a vital three points for England.

Capello blamed the poor show on the fatigue and lack of energy shown by his team.

“The difference between the two sides was that we lacked energy,” he said.”The Swiss were fresher. As always at this stage of the season we were without energy.”

Pavlyuchenko treble lifts Russia

Russia battled back from a goal down to record a 3-1 win over Armenia in their Group B qualifier.

Striker Roman Pavly-uchenko was the hero of the match producing a classic hat-trick after midfielder Marcos Pizelli put Armenia into the lead before the break.

Russia started in a lively style, but failed to create any serious threat in the opening 20 minutes. In the 25th minute Armenia clinched the lead through Pizelli, who sent the ball into the net. Thereafter, Pavlyuchenko took over and ensured that the hosts did not suffer anymore hiccups.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2011.