England toils hard in WCup warmup
Source: Agencies |
May 26, 2010, Wednesday
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ENGLAND players left coach Fabio Capello frustrated at their lack of aggression in an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Mexico on Monday in their World Cup warmup.
While defenders Ledley King and Glen Johnson scored either side of Peter Crouch's contentious goal, frailties at the back made it an uncomfortable night for England at Wembley Stadium.
England, which opens its World Cup campaign against the United States on June 12, relied on goalkeeper Robert Green and a tactical change at halftime to see off its fellow World Cup finalist.
"The manager wanted more aggression from the whole team," England midfielder Steven Gerrard said. "They had too much possession in the first half, we stood off them and let them play. In the second half we got in their faces and stopped them playing. We need to be more aggressive."
Returning after a three-year international exile, King headed in England's opener in the 17th minute after Crouch's nodded across goal. And Crouch scored the second - with the help of his arm - in the 34th from the rebound after goalkeeper Oscar Perez touched Wayne Rooney's header onto the crossbar.
Outplayed
England, though, was being outplayed with Green twice denying Mexico's Arsenal forward Carlos Vela while Carlos Salcido hit the post.
Guillermo Franco claimed a deserved goal for the visitors on the stroke of halftime when left back Leighton Baines cleared a header at the far post for Franco to score from close range.
"Mexico are technically very good - they are faster than us and it was not easy getting the ball back," Capello said. "Not all the teams we play against will be like this, but it is very important to press the ball and win it back quickly."
Capello rang in the changes at halftime with Green, captain Rio Ferdinand and Crouch replaced by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe.
Crucially James Milner, who had been ineffective in central midfield with Michael Carrick, was shifted out to the left with Gerrard moving into the middle.
"We need to be able to adapt to different formations during a game and also for different opposition," Gerrard said.
Johnson restored England's two-goal cushion with a curling shot from 20 meters.
There was a late scare for Capello with Wayne Rooney indicating he wanted to come off in the closing minutes.
"He said he had a small problem in his neck but it is not a problem," Capello said. "Rooney is OK. At this moment he just needs to play and find his form."
While defenders Ledley King and Glen Johnson scored either side of Peter Crouch's contentious goal, frailties at the back made it an uncomfortable night for England at Wembley Stadium.
England, which opens its World Cup campaign against the United States on June 12, relied on goalkeeper Robert Green and a tactical change at halftime to see off its fellow World Cup finalist.
"The manager wanted more aggression from the whole team," England midfielder Steven Gerrard said. "They had too much possession in the first half, we stood off them and let them play. In the second half we got in their faces and stopped them playing. We need to be more aggressive."
Returning after a three-year international exile, King headed in England's opener in the 17th minute after Crouch's nodded across goal. And Crouch scored the second - with the help of his arm - in the 34th from the rebound after goalkeeper Oscar Perez touched Wayne Rooney's header onto the crossbar.
Outplayed
England, though, was being outplayed with Green twice denying Mexico's Arsenal forward Carlos Vela while Carlos Salcido hit the post.
Guillermo Franco claimed a deserved goal for the visitors on the stroke of halftime when left back Leighton Baines cleared a header at the far post for Franco to score from close range.
"Mexico are technically very good - they are faster than us and it was not easy getting the ball back," Capello said. "Not all the teams we play against will be like this, but it is very important to press the ball and win it back quickly."
Capello rang in the changes at halftime with Green, captain Rio Ferdinand and Crouch replaced by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe.
Crucially James Milner, who had been ineffective in central midfield with Michael Carrick, was shifted out to the left with Gerrard moving into the middle.
"We need to be able to adapt to different formations during a game and also for different opposition," Gerrard said.
Johnson restored England's two-goal cushion with a curling shot from 20 meters.
There was a late scare for Capello with Wayne Rooney indicating he wanted to come off in the closing minutes.
"He said he had a small problem in his neck but it is not a problem," Capello said. "Rooney is OK. At this moment he just needs to play and find his form."
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