England's leading players closed ranks on Sunday to defend goalkeeper Robert Green and take inspiration from a chequered World Cup history following their 1-1 draw with the United States.
The clubs and their players have grown so rich that England's national team and the structure that surrounds it could be in danger of becoming almost a symbol of decadence, at the heart of which is a fateful mix of celebrity, big money, player power and media manipulation.
A shocking schoolboy howler from England goalkeeper Robert Green gifted the United States a goal as the two sides tipped to qualify from Group C battled to a 1-1 stalemate at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
Danish coach Morten Olsen surveyed the wreckage of his side's World Cup but declined to acknowledge the superiority of the Japanese team which beat them 3-1 in the final Group E game. Two free-kicks effectively secured the Japanese their second round place on Thursday but they could have scored more after dominating much of the match.
A howler by goalkeeper Robert Green gifted the United States an equaliser as England struggled to a disappointing 1-1 draw in their opening Group C game at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
