HODGSON HAILS ENGLAND’S SUPER SUBS AFTER VICTORY
LENS – England coach Roy Hodgson, basking in a 2-1 victory over Wales yesterday clinched by goals from two substitutes, said fringe players would be a major factor at Euro 2016.
Gareth Bale put Wales in front before Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge replied, the latter in stoppage time, after both came on in the second half.
Hodgson said it was hard to remember if he had made a better double substitution in his 40-year career.
“Watching France play Albania [on Wednesday night] it was a similar situation where [Paul] Pogba and [Antoine] Griezmann came on and helped the French to get the victory they looked like they might be denied by a well-organised Albania team,” Hodgson said.
France won 2-0, Griezmann netting the opener in the 90th minute, to become the first side to qualify for the last 16.
Hodgson said he now faced a selection headache for the final match as Group B leaders against Slovakia on Monday, knowing a draw will be enough to see his team through.
Hodgson said he would “give thought” to the idea of resting one or two players.
“It would be foolish in the warm glow of having won a game so late on to start trying to make too many statements about what my plans are against Slovakia,” he added.
Striker Marcus Rashford and Sturridge won warm praise from Hodgson for giving his team a fresh approach in attack.
A header from defender Gareth McAuley and a stoppage-time strike from substitute Niall McGinn earned Northern Ireland a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in group C last night.
The result leaves Ukraine without a point but means Northern Ireland now have three, and a chance of reaching the last 16, as they brace themselves for a daunting final group match against Germany on Tuesday next week. –