The Weekend Round-up
by Danny WrightEngland gave their Euro 2008 qualifying chances a much needed boost as they beat Israel 3-0 at Wembley. Joe Cole’s fine cross set up Shaun Wright-Phillips for the opener as England went on to dominate, with Michael Owen’s superb strike putting the hosts two ahead following some good link play between the reinvigorated Emile Heskey and Gareth Barry.
The awesome Micah Richards sealed the win with a thumping header from a late corner, as under-fire keeper Paul Robinson dealt admirably with the little action thrown his away throughout the 90 minutes. England now trail second-placed Russia by one point, needing to beat Gus Hiddink’s men if they are to have any chance of making it to Austria and Switzerland next June.
Scotland are in with a good shout of making the finals as they felled Lithuania 3-1 at Hampden in an entertaining game. Kris Boyd put the Scots ahead with a glancing header, but the Tartan Army didn’t have it all their own way as the visitors cheated their way back into things as Saulius Mikoliunas dive from Darren Flecther’s challenge earned them a penalty, which was promptly tucked away by Tomas Danilevicus. Stephen McManus converted Shaun Maloney’s delivery to restore parity, and Everton’s James McFadden sealed the win with a 25-yard wonder strike.
Wales were outclassed by Germany as their fading hopes of qualification were ended by a 2-0 defeat in Cardiff. Miroslav Klose’s brace on five and 60 minutes silenced the home side’s unimagineative attempts on the German goal, as the visitors held out for the win to virtually guarantee their tickets for the finals.
The Republic of Ireland’s attempts were given a similarly frustrating blow as they were held 2-2 by Slovakia in Bratislava. Stephen Ireland gave Eire a dream start on 7 minutes when he fired home, however the Irish were held as Maros Klimpl fought back with a goal for the Slovaks. Kevin Doyle thought he had given his side the win after his turn and shot, but their Group D counterparts hit an injury time leveller to stifle any remaining hope of qualification. Ireland must now beat Czech Republic on Wednesday if they are to be in with a look-in.
Northern Ireland endured a similarly tough time as Chris Baird’s own goal against Latvia lead to a 1-0 defeat in Riga and dealt their qualification chances a massive blow. Keith Gillespie and David Healy had chances to win the game against the Group F strugglers, but it was Baird’s gaffe that decided it. Nigel Worthington’s side must now beat Iceland on Wednesday to keep their hopes alive.
Back on the domestic scene Leeds won their fifth successive game to reduce their 15 point penalty deduction to zero as they beat Hartlepool 2-0 in front of a packed Elland Road, meanwhile there were wins for Leyton Orient, Tranmere and Crewe as struggling Gillingham parted company with manager Ronnie Jepson.
In League Two, Accrington Stanley put their financial woes aside as they thumped Grimsby 4-1 as Bradford, Wycombe and Peterborough all picked up wins.
The awesome Micah Richards sealed the win with a thumping header from a late corner, as under-fire keeper Paul Robinson dealt admirably with the little action thrown his away throughout the 90 minutes. England now trail second-placed Russia by one point, needing to beat Gus Hiddink’s men if they are to have any chance of making it to Austria and Switzerland next June.
Scotland are in with a good shout of making the finals as they felled Lithuania 3-1 at Hampden in an entertaining game. Kris Boyd put the Scots ahead with a glancing header, but the Tartan Army didn’t have it all their own way as the visitors cheated their way back into things as Saulius Mikoliunas dive from Darren Flecther’s challenge earned them a penalty, which was promptly tucked away by Tomas Danilevicus. Stephen McManus converted Shaun Maloney’s delivery to restore parity, and Everton’s James McFadden sealed the win with a 25-yard wonder strike.Wales were outclassed by Germany as their fading hopes of qualification were ended by a 2-0 defeat in Cardiff. Miroslav Klose’s brace on five and 60 minutes silenced the home side’s unimagineative attempts on the German goal, as the visitors held out for the win to virtually guarantee their tickets for the finals.
The Republic of Ireland’s attempts were given a similarly frustrating blow as they were held 2-2 by Slovakia in Bratislava. Stephen Ireland gave Eire a dream start on 7 minutes when he fired home, however the Irish were held as Maros Klimpl fought back with a goal for the Slovaks. Kevin Doyle thought he had given his side the win after his turn and shot, but their Group D counterparts hit an injury time leveller to stifle any remaining hope of qualification. Ireland must now beat Czech Republic on Wednesday if they are to be in with a look-in.Northern Ireland endured a similarly tough time as Chris Baird’s own goal against Latvia lead to a 1-0 defeat in Riga and dealt their qualification chances a massive blow. Keith Gillespie and David Healy had chances to win the game against the Group F strugglers, but it was Baird’s gaffe that decided it. Nigel Worthington’s side must now beat Iceland on Wednesday to keep their hopes alive.
Back on the domestic scene Leeds won their fifth successive game to reduce their 15 point penalty deduction to zero as they beat Hartlepool 2-0 in front of a packed Elland Road, meanwhile there were wins for Leyton Orient, Tranmere and Crewe as struggling Gillingham parted company with manager Ronnie Jepson.In League Two, Accrington Stanley put their financial woes aside as they thumped Grimsby 4-1 as Bradford, Wycombe and Peterborough all picked up wins.
images - bbc.co.uk
posted by Danny @ 10:41 pm
1 comments
1 Comments:
Big win for england, all the fuss over the keepers who should play and robbo has nothing to do!!!! Maybe wednesday will be a little harder!!!
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