David Seaman                           Nicky Butt                                Captain David Beckham

England flew back to England today after having been beaten 2-1 by Brazil in the quarter finals of the World Cup 2002 (after a mistake by David Seaman in letting in the second goal). The England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson singled out Nicky Butt as his star man of the tournament. Eriksson said that "he was fantastic. He was coming back from injury, not having played for a long time but he did magnificently".

Eriksson said that when midfielders David Beckham and Paul Scholes started to get tired in the heat in the second half against Brazil "we started to lose our shape and lose control of the ball". Michael Owen said that he was not fully fit in the match against Brazil too. "I could run but I couldn't go flat out. My biggest regret is that I couldn't go into this game in peak condition" said Owen who scored against Brazil despite not fully recovering from his groin injury.

England fans will remember the World Cup 2002 for the 1-0 win against Argentina, the 3-0 easy victory against Denmark and the 5-1 win away in Germany in the World Cup qualification stages. Perhaps England might of won the tournament if David Beckham had been fully fit following his injury, if Steven Gerrard had not been injured and if Michael Owen and Paul Scholes had not picked up injuries in the game against Denmark (which prevented them training much before the Brazilian game).
 

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An brief assessment of how the England players performed in the World Cup 2002 is given below:

DAVID SEAMAN (Mark 6 out of 10): The England goalkeeper was having a great tournament until the game against Brazil where he was at fault for the Brazilian second goal. Even though he is now 38, Eriksson has said that he will still be playing for England in the future as long as he remains first choice at his club side, Arsenal.

RIO FERDINAND (Mark 9 out of 10)

                                     

Ferdinand showed that he is one of the best central defenders in the tournament and was England's best player (along with Nicky Butt). He was tremendous in the games against Argentina and Nigeria and would be unlucky not to make it into an international World Cup 2002 squad.

SOL CAMPBELL (Mark 8 out of 10)

Formed a great partnership with Ferdinand and was also solid in central defence. He scored in the first game against Sweden and his defensive capabilities and distribution improved with each game. He had a good game against Brazil and was the only England player included in the World Cup 2002 FIFA All Stars team.

ASHLEY COLE (Mark 7 out of 10)

He has made the England left back position his own and had a good tournament getting up and down the left flank well and making some great tackles, especially in the Argentinean game. Had a tough game against Cafu in the Brazilian game and was partially at fault for Brazil's first goal but he is still only 21 and has a great future in front of him.

DANNY MILLS (Mark 8 out of 10)

When Gary Neville got injured there was some concern as to whether anyone could cover the right back role to a similar standard. Danny Mills stepped into the position and was one of England's best players. He made an error which led to Sweden's equaliser and lost his temper once in the game against Denmark (when he got a yellow card) but apart from that his performances and energy levels were excellent and he linked up well with David Beckham on the right wing.

DAVID BECKHAM (Mark 7 out of 10)

The England Captain could have been the player of the tournament if fully fit but he still suffered from some foot ache and lack of fitness following his long injury. Even so the he was an inspiration to the rest of the team - the England players appeared to lose confidence when he was taken off in the game against Sweden. He scored a penalty against Argentina to heal the wounds of being sent off in the World Cup 1998 and his popularity ensured plenty of support from the host nations.

PAUL SCHOLES (Mark 8 out of 10)

He was very effective in central midfield but did tire in the hot afternoon games against Nigeria and Brazil. Almost scored against Nigeria and distributed the ball around to his usual high standard. When he plays well, England play well which shows his importance to the team.

NICKY BUTT (Mark 9 out of 10)

Eriksson said Butt was the best England player in the World Cup 2002 and it is hard to disagree. He did not play against Sweden but played every minute of the remaining games. Nicky Butt was very good as the defensive central midfielder and gave great protection to the central defenders behind him.

TREVOR SINCLAIR (Mark 7 out of 10)

Sinclair also came into the team for the game against Argentina and started every game for England since then. Considering he only just made the final squad his performance against Argentina was above all expectations. He linked well with Ashley Cole on the left side of midfield in both his defensive and attacking duties.

MICHAEL OWEN (Mark 7 out of 10)

Michael Owen (striker) started every game but did not score until the game against Denmark (shown above). He got another goal against Brazil to make him the top England goal scorer with 2 goals but was not fully fit against Brazil. Considering his huge reputation he was heavily marked and his pace meant that the opposing defenders had to defend deep against him.

EMILE HESKEY (Mark 6 out of 10)

He played the first game against Sweden on the left wing and did not play that well. Played the rest of the tournament up front with Owen and was much more comfortable in that role (often holding up the ball and laying it off). His confidence improved following his goal against Denmark and he was England's best player in the first half against Brazil.

OWEN HARGREAVES (Mark 6 out of 10)

Probably the most unlucky England player in the World Cup 2002. He was becoming England's best player in the few games leading up to the World Cup and played well enough in central midfield against Sweden as he ran and tackled all over the pitch. He picked up a shin injury early on in the game against Argentina and only recovered enough to be on the bench for the game against Brazil.

DARIUS VASSELL (Mark 6 out of 10)

Played fairly well in the first game against Sweden but did not link up well with Owen - was used as a substitute for Owen in the games against Nigeria and Brazil but did not perform as well as he did in the pre World Cup friendly games.

WAYNE BRIDGE (Mark 6 out of 10)

Was a late substitute in the games against Argentina and Nigeria on the left side of midfield and at left back and did not put a foot wrong. He will find it hard to replace Ashley Cole at left back in the future, however, unless Ashley Cole gets injured or suffers a significant loss of form.

KIERON DYER (Mark 5 out of 10)

Dyer only just recovered from injury in time for the tournament and was used as a second half substitute in the games against Sweden (right wing), Denmark (central midfield) and Brazil (left wing). Even though he played all across midfield he was probably the most disappointing England player as his performances did not live up to the high expectations following his good club performances.

ROBBIE FOWLER (Mark 5 out of 10)

Played the second half of the game against Denmark as a striker but did not have a clear opportunity to score. England were already 3-0 up when he came on but his contribution in the second half of the game could have been better.

TEDDY SHERINGHAM (Mark 5 out of 10)

At the age of 36, Sheringham is unlikely to make the Euro 2004 squad. He should be commended for continuing to offer his services for England when other younger players (like Alan Shearer) had already announced their retirement. Came on as second half substitute in the games against Argentina, Nigeria, Denmark and Brazil and he almost scored a superb goal against Argentina. He cannot run around as much as he used to though and was not threatening in the final ten minutes against Brazil.

JOE COLE (Mark 5 out of 10)

Joe Cole came on for the final seventeen minutes against Sweden on the left wing and did not perform that well. Eriksson did not use him again in the tournament even though he looked dangerous going forward in a couple of pre World Cup friendly matches.

 

Goalkeepers Nigel Martyn and David James and defenders Gareth Southgate, Martin Keown and Wes Brown were in the England squad but did not take any part in the World Cup games.