Adrian Durham takes you behind the scenes
of life reporting on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Here, in his latest
diary entry, the Drivetime presenter reflects on a memorable trip to the Maracana, as Fabio Capello's World Cup woes continued, and explains what Roy Hodgson must do to retain his backing.
Was I the only person on the planet who really enjoyed this
game? I thought it was a fascinating contest. Three things: 1) How Fabio
Capello stifled the Belgian attack – he struggled to contain Dries Mertens
first half but did a job on Eden Hazard. 2) How
Belgium coped with the inevitable Russian spell of pressure – Russia missed a
sitter, but Vincent Kompany and
the veteran Daniel van Buyten were excellent. 3) Could Hazard impact the game –
for 85 minutes he was useless, and then he came alive and won the game for
Belgium. Marc Wilmots deserves credit for not taking him off.
Brilliant tactical battle that only those who truly
understand football would have enjoyed. Capello’s reputation
since switching to international football couldn’t be lower.
The England debate raged on – to clarify my view, I think this has been a shockingly bad World Cup from England. We looked ill-prepared tactically for the opposition. My big hope for this tournament was that we wouldn’t be embarrassed – but we were. We played better than 2010, but to go out after just two games is pitiful, and Hodgson said in his press conference today it was “unfortunate". Sorry boss, you’ve got to do better than that – England fans aren’t stupid. If you have the privileged job of England manager, you need to explain why we were beaten twice in two games, and England fans deserve better than “we were unfortunate".
I don’t want Hodgson sacked, but he needs to give us a
detailed plan for 2016 or I may well change my mind. I’m an England fan who
pays for every Wembley game so I – and you – deserve an explanation.
A quick word for my producer Millwall
George (pictured below): he produced his first ever World Cup tie today – he
was first class, he will go far.
I worked with our commentator Jim Proudfoot at a stadium for the first time in a long time today – I’ve known him a long time and never known him have an off day – true genius. And Stan Collymore’s analysis of the game was excellent, the best I’ve heard from him at this World Cup. A joy to work with. And he found time to meet up with some wannabe Fellainis after the game
The
Maracana is such a special place given its history – built for the 1950 World
Cup when 200,000 packed the place to watch Uruguay “steal” the final from
Brazil, and rebuilt for these finals - but always in the shadow of the favelas.
Check out this picture I took of a favela from outside the Maracana...
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