TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Euro Cup qualification is over with 20 nations proceeding to the final round in France 2016 and eight nations awaiting play off. The qualification stage presented a bunch of surprises, such as the fall of World Cup semifinalist Netherland and inceptions of three new debutants namely Albany, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
One of the stunning facts of the qualification stage comes from England, which bounced back from their World Cup fiasco. Roy Hodgson’s men scored a perfect record of 10 victories, conceding 3 goals and netting 31 goals. The Three Lions became the first nation qualify, aside from host nation France.
However, Wayne Rooney and co was not the most productive squad, as Poland scored two goals ahead of England’s tally. Poland even set a new record on the most goal scored during a qualification in a match against Gibraltar, in which they walked away with 8-1 victory.
England was also, surprisingly, behind Romania, in terms of defense. The ultra defensive squad conceded only two goals, amid scoring 11 out of 10 matches.
Euro 2016 will certainly be one of the most anticipated soccer events next year, especially with the inception of debutants. Albany, being the biggest surprise, will join other European giants in the top 24. The rarely heard squad even won against host nation France in a friendly match last summer.
UEFA | FEBRIYAN
