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Memorable win for dominant England Posted: Saturday June 15, 2002 12:14 PM
NIIGATA, Japan (Reuters) -- England, the nation that gave the game to the world, looked on Saturday night as if they might be ready finally to claim it back. Their 3-0 demolition of Denmark in the second round of the World Cup finals, allied to the most passionate, euphoric and non-stop support from thousands of joyous well-behaved fans at the Big Swan stadium helped create yet another memorable night for English soccer -- becoming something of a feature of Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as manager. It may have taken a Swede to start the process of restoring England's pride, but if Mick Jagger can get a knighthood for singing rock'n'roll, then "Sir" Sven-Goran might find himself handed the freedom of every town and city in the land if England win the World Cup. Even England's new army of Japanese fans -- almost all in "Beckham" or "Owen" replica shirts -- climbed out of their seats and joined the conga-dancing in the stands. If ever an occasion symbolized the truly global nature of this hooligan-free World Cup, this was it. The brilliance of the England display on the field matched the fantastic support in the stands. It was a rare confluence of the passion and love for the game felt in England, and it was trouble-free and as good as it gets. With English fans and flags out-numbering the Danish, it was almost like a home match for Eriksson's side -- and from the time a blunder by Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen gifted England the lead after only five minutes, there was only going to be one winner. Well-taken Rio Ferdinand was credited with the strike, his first for his country, with Michael Owen (22) and Emile Heskey (44) adding further well-taken efforts. Owen, scoring for the first time in five internationals, capitalized on a swift touch from Nicky Butt to control with his right foot and shoot with his left to put England 2-0 up. Heskey scored the third a minute before halftime with a well-taken first-time shot from 20 meters that Sorensen really should have saved. England, 3-0 ahead at halftime, had well and truly sizzled the Danish to a crisp. There was no way they were going to lose that lead. Under Eriksson England are increasingly doing well in matches that matter. This was their 11th consecutive competitive game without defeat dating back to October 2000, when they lost 1-0 to Germany in their opening World Cup qualifier, their last match at Wembley, their last under coach Kevin Keegan. Things are different now. David Beckham might have a sore left foot but he is increasingly growing in maturity as a captain. Nine months ago England demolished Germany 5-1 to all but ensure their place in these finals. Just over a week ago they beat Argentina 1-0 to take a giant leap towards the last 16 and secured the one point they needed to do that with a dull, but effective, 0-0 draw with Nigeria last Wednesday. They have now reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1990 with a totally one-sided victory over Denmark who last week were celebrating a 2-0 win over world champions France. Upside-down The world of football has been turned upside down during these World Cup finals, and, who knows, England might just come out on top when all the pieces fall into place again. They still have huge obstacles to overcome including a likely meeting with Brazil in the last eight. If they won that they would face Sweden, Senegal, Japan or Turkey in the semi-finals -- and England are increasingly growing in confidence. The defense, with Ferdinand and Danny Mills outstanding and the Arsenal trio of goalkeeper David Seaman, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole showing fine understanding, were rarely beaten. On the few occasions Denmark did get through, Seaman thwarted them with some fine saves. Butt was a terrier in midfield and the telepathic understanding he has with his Manchester United team mates Beckham and Paul Scholes helps give England a fluidity that makes it difficult for the opposition to handle. Eriksson has been shrewd in picking a team that plays to the strengths of the premier league's top clubs. Liverpool team mates Owen and Heskey worked tirelessly in attack and when Owen went off Robbie Fowler, also a Liverpool player until last season, came on for his first appearance of the finals. The change was seamless. Chasing shadows Denmark simply could not live with England's pace, aggression or cohesion and were left chasing shadows, or simply trailing two or three meters behind an Englishman with the ball at his feet. Five of the Danish starting line-up play in England, but their own World Cup dreams were wrecked by the greater teamwork and understanding of the men they face most weeks of the season. By the final whistle England had chalked up their best win in the finals since they beat Paraguay 3-0 in the second round in 1986, and it was the first time they had beaten Denmark by a three-goal margin for 45 years. History might not be counting for much in this topsy-turvy tournament, which might just suit England. By forgetting the recent, mainly miserable past, they might yet be able to recreate a brighter new future.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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