Hodgson said England’s 100 per cent record in qualifying had earned him plenty of support from FA executives, but admitted his plans for Euro 2016 could end up with a re-shaped squad if key players are injured.
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With England and Wales, managed respectively by Roy Hodgson and Chris Coleman, due to meet at the 41,000-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Thursday 16 June, there is the prospect of millions of supporters from both nations being forced to miss the game due to work or school commitments. “It’s a great job”.
Russian Federation will be the final Group B opponents for Wales in Toulouse, and Coleman insisted it would be a mistake to focus too much on their match against England in Lens, with three points vital in the opening match against Slovakia in Bordeaux. I’ve got to say I’m more than happy it’s Wales. “I think Wales is the sexiest of the three to us because of two or three really quality players playing for Wales”.
Slovakia are the other team in the group and Hodgson said: “In my career as an worldwide manager, something like 110 games, I’ve never met Russia, Slovakia or Wales”.
Dyke added: “England-Wales is a good, exciting game, and my reaction to the draw overall is, “Yeah, that’s fine”.
The Republic of Ireland however have been dealt an extremely tough draw, as they will have to play FIFA’s current world number-one ranked side Belgium, Euro 2012 runners-up Italy, and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired Sweden in Group E. I think they have a strong spine. England are one of the best teams, and we looked at it and would have wanted to avoid it, but we look forward to it. We have a lot of respect for Wales.
‘Roy knows this with his experience, but when you get to a tournament it’s about the 90 minutes on the day and you have to get it right. You just have to prepare yourselves in the same way.
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Northern Ireland did well to qualify for this tournament, especially as group winners, but they will have a tough time getting out of this pool. “But that is why we are here, we deserve to be here and the tournament will be a fantastic one”.
