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LONDON - It was all too much to bear for England coach Steve McClaren.
As Israel struck a last-gasp winner against Russia to put England's Euro 2008 challenge back on its feet, nervy McClaren could not watch the TV - and hid in a bathroom.
Now, says McClaren,
there can be no excuses left for his side as they seek the point they need against Croatia at Wembley on Friday to qualify for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.
Before last weekend's matches, England were all all but down and out in Group E. But, after Israel's shock 2-1 win over Russia, a draw or better against the section leaders will now be enough. And a 2-0 win or better could even, amazingly, see them win the section.
McClaren said: "There is absolutely no way we can give this chance away. This is it. There are no excuses. We are in control. We have to get the job done."
He admitted nerves stopped him watching Sunday's game (NZT) in Tel Aviv. Russia's Dmitri Sychev hit a post in the last minute - a goal would have effectively ended England's hopes - only for Israel's Omer Golan to snatch an improbable injury-time winner.
"I felt comfortable at 1-0," McClaren said of Israel's 10th-minute lead. "At 1-1, I dreaded the worst. It was unbelievably tense and, in the end, I could not bear it. I slipped into the bathroom and did not watch the last 10 minutes. I heard the boys cheer twice. The first was for the shot that hit the post, then when Israel scored. That is the line between success and failure."
Israel's win ensured Croatia's qualification but McClaren said he had first-hand experience of the dangers from assuming things would be straightforward against a team not needing anything from the game.
He was assistant to Sven-Goran Eriksson when England needed a point from their final game at home to Greece in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup - and got it only when David Beckham's injury-time free-kick secured a 2-2 draw. "Greece had nothing to lose and nothing to play for - and look what happened at Old Trafford," McClaren said.
"Croatia are a good side and are capable of winning this game, so we have to make sure complacency does not creep in."
McClaren called up Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent in place of Michael Owen, who, like fellow striker Wayne Rooney, will miss the game through injury.
Midfielder Owen Hargreaves should be fit after missing last week's 1-0 friendly win in Austria with a knee problem.
- Reuters
