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Keane Brands England's First Half Against Norway 'Sloppy'

By SideLine Desk ·
Keane Brands England's First Half Against Norway 'Sloppy'

Roy Keane has labelled England's opening 45 minutes against Norway in their World Cup quarter-final as "sloppy". The criticism came after Andreas Schjelderup's misplaced cross inadvertently put his team ahead.

The former Manchester United captain, speaking after the match, expressed his disappointment with the team's early display. He singled out the period before Norway took the lead as particularly uninspired.

Keane's comments focused on the general lack of polish and intensity evident in England's play during the initial stages. He suggested that the team's execution was below par, leading to a disjointed performance.

The pivotal moment that seemed to underscore Keane's assessment was the unusual way Norway went ahead. A cross from Andreas Schjelderup, intended for a teammate, was misdirected and ended up looping into the net, giving the Norwegians an unexpected advantage.

💬 SideLine Take

Roy Keane's blunt assessment highlights a recurring theme: England's struggle to control games against determined opposition without moments of individual brilliance or defensive lapses. "Sloppy" feels like an understatement for a team that consistently finds ways to complicate its own life.

AI-assisted rewrite. This story was written by the SideLine Desk from the reporting below and reviewed by our editors — read the original for the full story. How we work.
Source: Independent Sport

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