Scotland and Ireland Move Closer to World Cup
Wins In Qualifiers For Home Nations, Whilst England Win In Friendly.
The FIFA World Cup in South Africa could have as many as 4 home nation sides competing in it after Scotland and Ireland pulled off massive wins at the weekend to enhance their hopes of qualification. Northern Ireland managed a draw with Poland which sets them up nicely for their match with Slovakia on Wednesday, whilst England beat Slovenia at Wembley.
Scotland 2 Macedonia 0
Scotland needed just one result against Macedonia at Hampden Park. A win. Over 50,000 were in attendance, but a slow first half left the Scottish contingent fearing the worst. That was until Celtic's Scott Brown scored his first International goal on 56 minutes which send the Hampden faithful wild. The lead was doubled, and the win secured, when James McFadden scored a tremendous individual goal after slipping past both central defenders and rounding the goalkeeper. Scotland now face the already qualified Holland on Wednesday at Hampden knowing that a win will put them in pole position for a playoff place.
Cyprus 1 Ireland 2
In a similar position to Scotland pre-match, Ireland knew that nothing but a win in Nicosia would do and they got off to the perfect start when Kevin Doyle turned in a Richard Dunne headed cross after just 5 minutes. The Irish had Man City goalkeeper Shay Given to thank for being ahead for longer than 60 seconds, after he produced a stunning save to deny Ioannis Okkas. Cyprus were level on the half hour mark though when Marios Elia levelled.
The last 10 minutes arrived and an Irish win looked unlikely until skipper Robbie Keane coasted past his marker to head a Damien Duff cross into the roof of the Cypriot net to the joy of the travelling support. Ireland face South Africa in a friendly next, but this win has put them just a point behind group leaders Italy who face third place Bulgaria on Wednesday.
Poland 1 Northern Ireland 1
Northern Ireland were just 11 minutes away from a huge win in Poland on Saturday night after Kyle Lafferty had put them ahead. The win would have put them level on points with Slovakia but instead they sit in 2nd on 14 points whilst Slovakia have a game in hand on 16. The two sides do however meet at Windsor Park on Wednesday and so the Irish could go top of the group with a win.
England 2 Slovenia 1
An unusual half empty Wembley Stadium watched on on Saturday evening as England warmed up for their crucial World Cup Qualifier with Croatia on Wednesday with a lackluster 2-1 victory over Slovenia. Fabio Capello resisted the temptation to rest a number of his stars and included Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and skipper John Terry in his starting XI.
England started the game slowly and had to wait almost 20 minutes for their superiority to show through, but once it did the win was rather comfortable whilst not emphatic. Wayne Rooney won a highly controversial penalty on the half hour mark which Lampard slotted home to give England a 1-0 lead at half time. Changes were made in the second half, and substitute Jermain Defoe doubled the lead on 63 minutes capping a superb individual performance. Zlatan Ljubijankic grabbed a late goal for the Slovenian's but the home side held on for the win. Victory against Croatia on Wednesday will seal a World Cup place.
Wales - Jason Koumas Retires
The Welsh weren't in action at the weekend but they have been in the news after Jason Koumas announced his retirement from International football. The Wrexham born, Wigan Athletic midfielder made 33 starts since his debut in 2001. Wales will play their first game without him on Wednesday when they face Russia at The Millennium Stadium.
World Cup 2010
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