adminMARSEILLE. — England coach Roy Hodgson said he was “bitterly disappointed” after a late leveller by Russia captain Vasili Berezutski ended his side’s hopes of a perfect start to their Euro 2016 soccer campaign on Saturday night.
An impressive England looked to be heading for victory in their opening Group B fixture after Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier fired a 20-yard free-kick past Russia’s veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with 13 minutes to play. But three minutes from the final whistle Berezutski rose high above the England defence to send a looping header over ‘keeper Joe Hart, the ball already over the line before Denis Glushakov slammed it into the back of the net. England came to France with their youngest squad at a major finals since the 1958 World Cup and Hodgson admitted he was buoyed by a performance that will give fans hope before further group games against Wales and Slovakia.
But when asked his reactions to the result, the 68-year-old said: “You can guess really, the same emotions as the players. To say bitterly disappointed is an understatement. — AFP.
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