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England and Czech Republic Draw at WembleyLate Joe Cole Equaliser Saves English and Manager Fabio CapelloEngland earned an undeserved draw against the Czech Republic in the friendly international at Wembley leaving Fabio Capello with much to consider before the next game.
A late goal from Joe Cole saved England’s blushes as they salvaged a draw against the Czech Republic at Wembley to deny the Czechs a deserved victory and maintain their unbeaten home record against the Czech Republic. The match did not go as planned for manager Fabio Capello as he looked to prepare his team for the important World Cup qualifying games against Andorra and Croatia next month. Experienced England TeamCapello with John Terry retaining the captain’s role had selected an experienced side which had the look of a team from the Sven Goran Eriksson era. David James was in goal with David Beckham reinstated in midfield after his eighteen month absence under Steve McLaren. Jermain Defoe started alongside Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry played in midfield. The Czech Republic after their disappointment in Euro2008 were looking to Chelsea’s Petr Cech to display his true form after the mistakes in the European Championships and had ex-Aston Villa striker Milan Baros in their starting line-up. The new Czech Republic manager, Petr Rada was looking to make an impression to establish his authority before the World Cup games. Early Czech AdvantageThe Czech Republic team started much sharper and went ahead after twenty two minutes when a shot from Baros took a deflection off Ashley Cole to beat David James in the England goal. England showed much effort without ever threatening Cech’s goal but they did equalise just before the interval when Wes Brown scored with a powerful header from a Beckham corner, Brown’s first goal for England. At half-time Capello replaced Defoe with Emile Heskey, another throw back to former days but the Czechs immediately went ahead from a wonderful free-kick by Marek Jankulovski, three minutes into the second half. The Czechs continued to be in control with Polak dictating the pace of the game and looking assured of victory. Numerous changes were made to the teams during the second half with Jonathan Woodgate and Joe Cole replacing Rio Ferdinand and Gerrard with half an hour remaining. Later Stewart Downing replaced Rooney and David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas came on for Beckham and Lampard. Late EqualiserIt was only in the final moments of added time that England scored an undeserved and scrappy equaliser. From a corner by Bentley the ball bounced about as defenders and strikers tried to get a meaningful touch only for it to reach Joe Cole whose ‘shot’ deflected off Cech’s foot and a defender’s face before making its way into the net. Relief for England and disappointment for the Czech Republic who had been the much more assured team playing the more inventive football. Much for Capello to PonderCapello has much to consider in the next few weeks as he considers his team for the game in Croatia which follows their match against Andorra. His experienced players, once again, failed to display the talents they show week on week at club level. David James gave another of his erratic displays and in midfield Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard failed to perform while there was little threat from the strikers. England played as a group of individuals and not as a team. While Capello stated that ‘only Spain impressed him at Euro2008’ England did nothing to suggest that they will make an impressive start to their World Cup campaign. England Team:James, Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, Cole, A., Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Rooney, Defoe. Subs: Woodgate, Bentley, Cole, J., Downing, Jenas, Heskey
The copyright of the article England and Czech Republic Draw at Wembley in International Soccer is owned by Logan Holmes. Permission to republish England and Czech Republic Draw at Wembley in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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