Fabio Capello, the England boss got a bit narked when asked about why Peter Crouch does not start for England. But before that he did his level best to try to explain the game of two halves.
England were poor in the first but better in the second.
“I was happy for the chances we created in the first half as much as the chances we created in the second,“ he said.
“Their ‘keeper was good but we had very easy chances to score..
“We made mistakes in the first half.
“At half-time, I told them we would change something and they did it well.
“I said Egypt are a really good team but they tired in the second half as they ran too much in first half.
“Egypt are good technically and have good players all over the pitch.
“I know all my players - Peter Crouch is in good form
“He played well but others played well too.
“They were all good. Shaun Wright Phillips was very important.
“I’m not nervous at this moment.
“Egypt scored because the centre-backs left him
“We asked for a South America ref as we will encounter the different style of a South American ref in the World Cup.
“I respect the ref’s decision. But I don’t want to talk about individual players.
“Egypt is a really good team as they play like a team.
“I learnt a lot tonight - I understand the value of African teams.
But they have a different style than the central African teams and we have to play against Algeria."
Then came the question about Crouch and his mood changed for the worse.
"Crouch is one of the important players he plays a lot for me.
“You have to understand when I select the squad, I say all the players can play.
“Today I want to understand what Defoe and Rooney play like together.
I know Rooney and Crouch/Cole and Heskey.
But today I wanted to see that combination."
Then came the vexed selection of John Terry.
“I was happy that the crowd supported John Terry, “ said the Italian..
"It was an important game for him and he was fantastic.
“He played a fantastic game like I know he can play at this level..
I know the value of these player on the pitch.”
Then Capello was back on safer ground.
“Egypt never lost their position on the pitch.
“A lot of countries want to win the World Cup - we will try also,” he concluded.