England were lucky - Santa Cruz

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

FRANKFURT, June 10 (Reuters) Paraguay forward Roque Santa Cruz said England had been fortunate to escape with a 1-0 victory in their opening Group B match today.

The Bayern Munich player had a low-key return from a knee injury, but felt his side had done enough to earn a draw against the group favourites in the Waldstadion.

''We were not lucky enough today. Somehow we respected them too much in the beginning,'' he told reporters.

''We had doubts about our own potential but we did dominate during some parts of the match against a team that is one of the great ones in the world.

''I suppose a draw would have been the fair result. But it is not always fair what football has to offer you.

''England could not get their rhythm and were hit by the heat. In the end they were lucky to win.'' Good news for Paraguay, however, was that Santa Cruz suffered no reaction to his injury and would be fit for the remaining matches against Sweden and Trinidad&Tobago.

''Physically I'm OK, thank God,'' he said.

Skipper Carlos Gamarra, whose early headed own goal gave the points to England, was not particularly impressed with England, saying they were rather predictable.

''In the second half Paraguay deserved better than what we got,'' said the Palmeiras defender.

''They played like they are used to with a strong man up front and long balls being thrown at him.

''The big teams won, England and Germany, but they are not as tough as people were thinking.'' On the own goal, he said: ''It was bad luck, it could happen to anyone. It was particularly bad because it happened at the beginning of the match.

''The ball did touch my head but I don't believe it changed the direction. I guess the fact is that it made the ball go faster.'' REUTERS SI BD2317

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