Feb
18
England overpowers Greece in friendly
Filed Under General |
Playing at Old Trafford, Steve McCLaren’s England team achieved an emphatic 4-0 win over the Euro 2004 champions Greece. John Terry, the new captain to succeed David Beckham, opened the score on the 14th minute with a header while Frank Lampard scored at the half hour mark to double England’s lead. Peter Crouch scored two more goals before the first half was over in what proved to be a dominating performance for the hosts over the European champions. We should note the Crouch has now scored eight times in twelve games.
Greece managed to rebound in the second half and generated some good chances but it was denied a goal by England’s substitute goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland.
This was an impressive victory for McCLaren’s team even though the English squad was lacking the services of the injured Michael Owen and the suspended Wayne Rooney. We should also remind you that the new manager has also axed from the team such common fixtures as David Beckham, Sol Campbell and David James.
“We made the right decisions at the right times,” McClaren said after the game. “We counterattacked, attacked with pace and we kept possession, opened them up and used the width at the right times. That was the most pleasing thing for me. In possession we looked like a team who was cohesive and worked together.”
“At this level you have to keep the ball, with rotation and movement and we had that and that’s what pleased me. Controlling the game through possession is key because it gives you a breather at the right times. The World Cup is over. We’ve got to get on with things. We’ve made a good start and we must maintain that standard.”
England’s first game for the Euro 2008 qualifying round is against Andorra on September 2nd. The first real test for the new English team is not expected until they meet Croatia in October. Greece will meet Moldova on the same day for their first qualifying game.