Gary Cahill describes World Cup going from 'highlight of career' to 'lowest point'

Chelsea defender finds loss difficult to take

Paul Hirst
Friday 20 June 2014 13:10 BST
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(Getty Images)

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A thoroughly deflated Gary Cahill described England's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay as the lowest point of his career.

England are on the verge of elimination from the World Cup thanks to Luis Suarez's deadly double in Sao Paulo.

For England to qualify they need Italy to win their final two matches while the Three Lions must also beat Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte and hope they have a good enough goal difference.

But Cahill thinks England are almost certainly out, judging by his mood after the match in Sao Paulo.

"It's the worst feeling I have had as a player," the England centre-back told Press Association Sport.

"A few weeks ago this (the World Cup) was one of the highlights of my career and a couple of weeks down the line it's one of the lowest points.

"The next four days are going to seem like forever. We just hope that Italy can perform really well in the next two games and leave the last game to try and get a win and that's all we can do but we realise it's going to be very tough."

Despite having knee surgery just four-and-a-half weeks ago, Suarez chased the England defence down all night.

The controversial Liverpool striker sneaked in behind Cahill to head past Joe Hart in the first half and he wrapped up the win when he capitalised on a mistake by Steven Gerrard.

Cahill believes the Uruguayan was very lucky with his second goal.

"He has a lot of energy and he is a great finisher, but sometimes as a forward you get a bit of luck," the Chelsea defender said.

"He took his first goal very well. For the second goal he was very, very fortunate.

Rooney hit the bar in the first half and the Manchester United forward went close with a curling free-kick.

England had other chances to clinch the win, and Cahill believes the team were unfortunate to lose.

"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves," said Cahill, who won his 26th cap on Thursday.

"I have played in teams a lot worse than this and come away with wins.

"Joe (Hart) came off and he said to me that he has had five or six shots on target to deal with over the two games and we have conceded four goals. It's very tough to take. Sometimes football can be cruel."

PA

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