Two early goals killed us, says England coach

New Delhi, (IANS) The two early goals and the inexperience of his injury-hit side led to England's 1-4 loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-final, said coach Bobby Crutchley here Thursday.

"We were down by two goals in the first 11 minutes and that was killing. The 2-0 headstart that the Germans got determined the course of the match," the England coach said after his team's impressive show ended at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Friday evening.

"Our lack of experience made it difficult. The absence of penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell also showed."

Mantell's World Cup campaign ended when he dislocated his ankle in the Pool B outing against Pakistan. Earlier, Mantell's brother Richard and Matt Dalley - both strikers - had to withdraw from the squad due to injuries.

Crutchley said his team played attacking hockey but in the end had to bow to the Germans' "fantastic" display.

"They showed why they are number one in the world. They kept on finding the openings. We chased shadows," he said.

However, Crutchley said it was a good performance from England, which reached its first World Cup semi-final after 1986.

"This performance is a big step to move forward," he added.

England captain Barry Middleton said the Germans were clinical and their approach in the D was superb. "Had we pulled one back (after conceding the two early goals), it may have been a different game," he said.