|
10 October 2001 was the date everyone should remember. Kevin Keegan, the
England manager at that time had failed to bring the team to the World Cup
Finals, which was to be held in Korea and Japan. Kevin Keegan subsequently
handed in his resignation after a disastrous 2-0 loss to Greece in the Qualifiers.
I was among the names submitted to the England FA to fill the vacancy. The
other managers who were short-listed were Sven Goran Ericksson, Arsene Wenger,
David Platt and Terry Venables. A week later, I was officially announced
as the new England coach. The objective handed to me was to qualify for
Euro 2004, which was to be held in Portugal. My first official match was scheduled on November 14 against Croatia. It
was a friendly match and the FA wanted a good showing from the boys. A quick
look at the England team, most of them were from Arsenal so they were pretty
comfortable with me at the helm. The strike-force would probably come from
Liverpool's Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler together with Leeds
United's Michael Bridges and Alan Smith. Back to the match, it was held at the National Stadium in Croatia. The squad
players remained the same as they were under Kevin Keegan. Only a few subtle
changes were made to the tactics. England started the game well. Within
2 minutes, Fowler had forced the Croatian goalkeeper, Butina to make a point
blank save. But a costly defensive error during a corner set-piece, allowed
Dario Simic to score in the 11th minute. England continued with some fervent
attacking play but Butina and the posts were more than equal to hold our
strikers at bay. At the start of the second half, Croatia pushed more numbers
at the back. Incredibly, that was to be their downfall. In the 47th minute,
Gerard threaded the ball nicely to Scholes. GOAL! A long-ranged rocket shot
that went to the top corner. Croatia started to attack more and were nearly
rewarded 8 minutes later but Suker's ball was robbed by Owen. A long pass
by Owen found Gerard, who played a one-two with Scholes before passing the
ball into the path of McManaman. GOAL! England are in the lead! Croatia
made a couple of substitution but it was to no avail. England were pressurizing
them and substitute Heskey showed glimpses of brilliance when he passed
the ball to Owen before retrieving in and striking a ferocious strike at
the Croatian goal. GOAL! 3-1 to England and that was to be the final score.
I had won on my first match in charge![ScreenShot] Next up, another friendly against Holland. This was in March 2002. The match
was requested by Holland who were gearing themselves up for the World Cup
Finals. 51,000 supporters filled up the Amsterdam Arena. England as usual
started brilliantly and within 6 minutes, Owen had the ball in the net after
a superb cross by Arsenal's Joe Cole. That was to be Owen's 10th international
goal. After that it was more of a midfield tussle and 2 England players
were booked, Woodgate and Gerard. On the half-hour, another mistake in guarding
a corner set-piece, allowed Van Nistelrooy to score. In the second half,
Holland piled on the pressure and could have gone 2 or 3 goals up if not
for Martyn's goal-keeping skills between the sticks. In the 73rd minute,
England had a corner and Rio Ferdinand leapt highest. GOAL! The match- winning
goal scored by a defender. In just 2 games, I've showed that England should
have been in the World Cup Finals. But it was to late now to do anything.
[ScreenShot]
The third friendly match that I had was against Italy. Currently preparing
for the World Cup. It was held at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. The match
highlighted England's ineptitude at defending. A defensive lapse in the
16th minute allowed, Vincenzo Montella to score. But 3 minutes later, the
new pairing up front, Beattie and Fowler combined well, allowing Fowler
to equalize. GOAL! James Beattie, who was recently criticized by his boss
for not performing well, scored England's second just before halftime. But
it only took Italy 5 minutes after the break to equalize through Christian
Vieri. An unnecessary mistake by Martyn allowed Albertini to score from
the spot in the 72nd minute. And then, 10 minutes later, the defence was
caught napping again, allowing Vieri to score his second goal of the match.
England's reply came a little too late via Fowler in the 87th minute. Final
score line, England 3 Italy 4. My first defeat as an international manager.
[ScreenShot]
For the European Championship Qualifiers, we were drawn into Group 1 together
with Slovenia, Armenia, Sweden and the Auld Enemy, Scotland. The qualifiers
started on 31st August 2002, pitting us against Slovenia. It was an away
match and we came back as 4-0 winners. The next match was to be more exciting
as we take on Scotland. 68,000 supporters from both sides cramped into Old Trafford for the match.
Scotland, who was under George Graham at that time, was playing quite defensively.
However, I would have had nothing of it. True to the word, Scholes opened
the scoring with an exquisite overhead kick in the 10th minute. 2 minutes
later, Owen had the ball in the back of the net. Scotland was crumbling.
But they managed to tighten up their defence after that, thus forcing us
to try from long distances. At the start of the second half, Scottish keeper
Alexander made a rash tackle at the feet of Owen, thereby earning himself
an early bath. Owen made no mistake from the spot. On the hour, another
set-piece mistake allowed Paterson to score from a free kick just outside
the area. Substitute Heskey made no mistake when he was given the chance
in the 75th minute. GOAL! The next goal would surely be rated as the best
ever. Owen dribbled his way past 3 Scottish defenders before slotting the
ball home for his first international hat trick. GOAL! 5-1 the final score!
[ScreenShot]
4 days later, England thrashed favourites Sweden 4-1 away, with Arsenal's
Parlour scoring a brace after being called into the squad when Beckham suffered
an injury.[ScreenShot]
England ended the year with another win against Croatia in a
friendly from a solitary goal by Joe Cole.
|
|