Last night was something of a wake-up call for England. In their first game, they performed well against poor opposition and everything seemed to be going swimmingly. But last night England were caught by surprise by the Romanians. Romania played the game completely at their own tempo, almost walking for the first twenty minutes and then lifting it considerably after they scored the first goal.

But also, they played with passion - which you might have expected from England - and spun some wonderful passes together. The advanced age of this Romanian team has been perhaps over emphasised because there was no evidence of geriatric sloth against England. They ran all evening and more impressively were prepared to mix it physically with the English. Whatever way the opposition wanted to try it, they seemed prepared to match the tactics.

The English, in contrast, suffered from a painful lack of imagination. Even though they possess a few able playmakers, a trait of the English game is when they aren't performing well or when they go a goal down, they tend to revert to the traditional long ball game. As a result, the service to Shearer and Sheringham was abysmal.

Still, it did look as if they had produced enough to save the game and Hoddle's two substitutions proved central in their comeback. I believe that Beckham should have been in this England team from day one. Anderton is a willing player but is basically pedestrian. Beckham does give the English centre some creativity and he is always a threat from free kicks. It was no coincidence that he provided the through ball which Shearer turned back for Owen's equaliser.

Similarly, Owen staked his starting place in this game. On the field for 20 minutes, he scored a goal and hit the post, but more importantly, his presence alone will give Shearer the additional space which he clearly craved against the Romanians. When you have a player like Owen, with that electric pace, defences, even world class defences, will be a little frightened. He could prove a perfect foil for Shearer.

But, you know, I am firmly convinced that England will go on to beat Colombia and qualify. If anything, this result will strengthen their resolve and we can, I feel, expect a much more authoritative performance in their final group game. But the Romanians have made them realise that the World Cup is about flawless ball skills and precision as well as a willingness to compete and organisation.

Although Adams and Campbell were perhaps caught flat-footed for the first goal, I don't think that the centrally defensive trio will prove too much of a liability should England go on through the later rounds. I would be more worried about the wing backs. Le Saux, after quite a good game, was certainly exposed by Petrescu for the decisive goal.

Overall the pattern of the match should have given Glenn Hoddle an indication that you really can't afford to be stereotypical at this level, that as well as competitiveness and a proven strikeforce, a touch of flair and creativity is essential. Batty and Scholes battled well in the middle but weren't incisive enough and Anderton is not the player, I feel, to deliver the sort of material Shearer needs up front.

From a neutral perspective, I have watched some 20 odd matches and this has certainly been the most frenetic and probably the most enjoyable. I think we were watching the two teams which will emerge from the group.

But, you know, I believe if I was managing a team in the World Cup, I would still prefer to meet the Romanians as opposed to the English. They played very well against England, Ilie excelled throughout and Hagi will always threaten. But I think they are beatable. Things went well for them last night, they played with a collective spirit which I'm not sure they would have displayed had they gone a goal down. England never really pressed them last night, never asked enough questions and conceded two goals which were poor from a defensive perspective.

England have the character to grow from this. It will be interesting to see Glenn Hoddle's team selection after this. If Ince returns at midfield, Beckham certainly ought to be retained at Darren Anderton's expense. Up front, Owen provides a dynamism and commitment, a thrust that Sheringham, doesn't necessarily possess.

So, this game ought to have provided a welcome balance to the hype which surrounded England's World Cup preparation and their Tunisian win. It's time for them to say, `hold on here, this is what we can expect to face from now on'. In the long term, it may prove very beneficial. And the Romanians will be very happy. They are almost certainly through to the next round and have highlighted the fact that they are far from washed up and that in soccer, when you have technically gifted players, you are always dangerous.

(In an interview with Keith Duggan)