|
|
 |
| |
Jenas helps England to a winning, if wobbly start
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
ENGLAND 2, SWITZERLAND 1
SPURS midfielder Jermaine Jenas got new England boss Fabio Capello off to a winning start on Wednesday night as he scored his first goal for his country in a downbeat 2-1 victory against international minnows Switzerland at Wembley.
The Capello era started with a five-man midfield: Gareth Barry was employed as a deep-lying defensive midfielder, giving Jenas and captain Steven Gerrard the freedom to join Wayne Rooney in advanced areas. Joe Cole and David Bentley filled the wide berths, while a defensive foursome featured two of Capello's best options: first-team regualrs Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole were joined by Wes Brown and Matthew Upson.
It was an expectant Wembley awaiting, and although at times England's passing created pretty patterns, it was not a thumping that players of this class used to be expected to deliver against the smaller international sides.
England played patiently and at times their careful build-ups brought derision from a sell-out crowd. Boos wafted around midway through the first-half as England's back four did little more than keep possession, while the Swiss players made the England midfielders work hard for any space.
Early exchanges saw England force Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio into a couple of blocks, while the Swiss themselves went close with a couple of speculative long range pile-drivers. But for too long it felt a little like shadow boxing: Jenas made one opening but delayed his cross as Rooney went clear, allowing the keeper to gather, while Joe Cole showed his usual trickery.
The boos rose in volume with the fans becoming frustrated by the sideways passing. But England's patience nearly paid off on 24 minutes when a clever ball from Upson – in a sequence of 23 England passes between the defensive back five – found Joe Cole advancing in a central position. Cole spooned the ball wide to his Chelsea teammate Ashley Cole, and his dangerous pass was flicked just past the post by Rooney.
Switzerland were also looking threatening at times. Arsenal's Philippe Senderos flicked on a good cross from Hakan Yakin to the impressive defender Mario Eggimann, whose effort beat keeper David James only to fall the wrong side of the post.
The Swiss caused occasional problems for the England full-backs with some determined running, and were strong defensively.
As the first-half began to wind down, Jenas woke the waiting fans from their somber mood. Joe Cole chased a lost cause down the left flank, won the ball and executed a glorious shimmy to take him into the penalty area. Stephan Lichtsteiner was left stranded as the Chelsea man readied himself, before playing a carefully weighted cross for Jenas to slot home.
Capello made changes in the second half, swapping Jenas for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole for Peter Crouch. The lanky Liverpool forward instantly made England play higher up the pitch, his head attracting the ball like a beacon. It is a sad indictment that England looked much better when they reverted to hammering the ball long for Crouch, but in terms of danger, the 6'6” striker gave Switzerland all sorts of problems.
Before the game was won, England faced a minor scare: the Swiss levelled with a well-taken equaliser on 58 minutes. Winger Tranquillo Barnetta wiggled past Rio Ferdinand and slipped a cute reverse ball into the path of Eren Derdiyok, who stole a yard and hit a left-foot effort beyond James. On balance it was just about deserved for the visitors – who continued to hold England at arm's length while showing occasional dangerous flashes.
But the goal had a reaction like tweaking the tail of a tiger. With the new Italian coach pacing his technical area with a frown across his face, the players upped the tempo and it brought instant rewards. A sweeping move on the hour-mark saw Gerrard stride into the box and place a dangerous ball across the face of goal for Wright-Phillips, who comfortably slotted home the winner.
Speaking after the game, Jenas said he hoped the winning start would bode well for the World Cup qualifiers. He said: “It has been a busy last few days but I have enjoyed it. This was a good start for us and we have to get into that winning mentality and keep moving forward.” |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
