Sven Apologises to fans

From the FA website

Sven apologises for defeat
Wednesday, 17 August 2005.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has apologised to England fans for the way his team were beaten 4-1 in Copenhagen.

The England Head Coach admitted he was hugely upset to concede four goals in the second half against Denmark after what had seemed a positive opening 45 minutes.

England did make several changes at half-time, but Sven believes that is no excuse for what happened afterwards.

He said: "I am very disappointed. After the good first half the second half was a disaster, nothing less than a disaster.

"I am sorry for the fans travelling here, I am very disappointed. I cannot defend it, obviously not."

Eriksson was keen, however, to deflect criticism away from individual players and insists it was a poor all-round team performance that cost the Three Lions dear in the second half.

He said: "You can talk about individual mistakes but we have to look at collective mistakes. The focus should be on the performance and the criticism should be on the whole team not on individuals."

Now he wants his players to make an instant recovery by beating Wales in a World Cup qualifier next month.

He said: "I can promise everyone that we will not play as badly again, especially in a qualifying game."