England’s KO punch

Capello praises team

“This team,this spirit,played together and tried together,” said Capello,who went onto the field after the game and hugged several of his players. “I am really happy because I found the team I know. We now go forward. We can play against all the teams because the mind is now free.”

For the first 10 minutes,England again looked nervous,but the players then began to produce some flowing moves and the chances followed.

“It’s been difficult for the supporters because they weren’t happy with the performances,” Defoe said. “A lot of the top teams have struggled so it was important to keep the spirit,which we have done.” Slovenia led the Group C standings before kickoff,but was eliminated by a late American goal against Algeria. “This is indescribable,but this is sport,” Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said. “I can only hope our sport will be able to gain from this defeat. Our (players) should be left alone for a while as they are feeling very hard moments.”

Frank Lampard,Wayne Rooney and Glen Johnson all had goalbound shots. On the other end,goalkeeper David James had to react sharply to keep out a flick-on from Slovenia defender Bostjan Cesar. England continued to dominate after the goal and Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had to make two saves within a few seconds of each other to keep out shots from Defoe and Steven Gerrard.

Blunders in the Slovenia defense handed Defoe a second chance in the opening minute of the second half,but he flicked the ball wide from Gareth Barry’s headed pass.

England continued to create chances after that and Handanovic blocked John Terry’s powerful header at the near post and then finger-tipped Rooney’s shot onto the post.

Slovenia almost equalised in the 68th after Barry lost possession and Terry and Johnson blocked goalbound shots from Zlatko Dedic and Milivoje Novakovic.