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Eriksson Answers Critics

England is now of the eight final teams that will battle for the World Cup trophy, but were other teams worked hard and exhibit flair soccer, England`s game was said to be boring and not attractive. Winning over Ecuador with 1 goal from a set piece did not really qualify as soccer mastery. Fans of the team are happy that England made it to the quarterfinals, but they are also worried that luck will not be enough anymore.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, coach for England, believes that his players did exactly what they were suppose to do ? make it to the next round and nothing more. Eriksson said that he does not recall one team that went all the way, and won each and every game by showing extraordinary skills and enthusiasm. `I don`t remember any team who started the World Cup in a perfect way and went seven games and won it in big style every time. You have to suffer in a tournament like this. Look at Argentina. They couldn`t resolve the situation in 90 minutes against Mexico," said Eriksson.

England will face Portugal next, and many England fans are calling for revenge. Portugal`s coach Scolari beat England and sent the British fans home on Euro 2004 after a cruel penalty shootout. However, Eriksson said: `It doesn`t really matter. I am not a man of revenge.`