Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By Jose M. Romero
England and Poland played to a 1-1 draw Wednesday, less than 24 hours after their originally scheduled 2014 World Cup qualifier was postponed due to heavy rain in Warsaw.
England opened the scoring in the 31st minute on a goal by Wayne Rooney, but the Brits couldn’t hold on for the three points, as Kamil Glik rose above defender Joleon Lescott to head home the equalizer in the 70th minute. England goalkeeper Joe Hart appeared to be out of position on the goal.
England’s Football Association has pledged to give money back to the fans who traveled to Poland from England for the Tuesday match and were unable to attend the makeup match on Wednesday night. Also, all 2,500 fans who made the trip will be invited to a special training session before the end of the season.
BBC reported that some 1,000 England fans were able to remain in Warsaw for the match.
England has eight points in four matches for a one-point lead in Group H of qualifying, but has played one more match than the other five teams in the group.
Here are more soccer stories making the rounds:
FA, Serbian association argue racism charges
After the England FA made charges of racism against Serbia’s soccer governing body in the wake of incidents alleged to have happened during the two nations’ U-21 Euro 2013 playoff match, Serbia has answered with denial of the claims.
Reports from England said player Danny Rose, who is black, was subjected to monkey-like gestures. Rose even indicates as such in this video. England won the match over Serbia 2-0 on aggregate goals, then fights broke out on the pitch.
The FA has asked UEFA to look into the matter.
Serbia says Rose is to blame for his actions, and that no racism took place. The country’s football association says Rose’s actions were “vulgar” and “unsportsmanlike.”
David Silva injures hamstring, could be out 2-3 weeks
Manchester City winger and Spanish international David Silva will more than likely miss next Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match against Ajax after injuring a hamstring during Spain’s World Cup qualifier draw with France Tuesday
Silva didn’t return to England immediately after the match and stayed on in Spain for treatment. He’s scheduled for a scan back in England on Thursday. He could also miss EPL matches against West Bromwich and Swansea before being cleared to return in what could be two to three weeks.