England were disappointing, says Beckenbauer

Updated: Thursday June 27, 2002 04:46 a.m. ET

YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 27 (Reuters) - Germany's former captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer said on Thursday that he was disappointed by England's failure to stop Brazil from making their way to the final stages of the World Cup.

Beckenbauer agreed with coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's view that a poor second half in last Friday's quarter-final, during which the Brazilians were reduced to 10 men, cost the English dearly.

But he stressed that no other team had faced such a tough schedule as the English whose hopes were high after a group 1-0 win over Argentina.

"With England, you have to say one thing. I was, of course, a bit disappointed that they were unable to turn the game around when they were playing against 10 Brazilians for half an hour," Beckenbauer told Reuters in an interview.

"But on the other hand you have to recognise that the English, unlike any other team in the tournament, had the toughest opponents."

Beckenbauer won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and then guided them as coach to success in 1990.

England faced Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria in first-round group F before beating Denmark 3-0 on their way to the last eight where they lost 2-1 to Brazil in Shizuoka. Brazil have gone on to reach Sunday's final against Germany.

England led 1-0 midway through the first half of the quarter-final but gave away a goal just before the break. Even the second half sending-off of Ronaldinho, shortly after Brazil's second goal, failed to swing the game back England's way.

"They had by far the toughest group and then they get the Brazilians in addition to that. Denmark and then Brazil. They had the best teams and perhaps they were on their last legs."

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