Post by Taxigirl on Jun 2, 2004 10:40:53 GMT
www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1137821,00.html
England 1-1 Japan
Report by Rob Lancaster
England had to settle for a draw with Japan as they let slip a first-half lead at the City of Manchester Stadium as their run without a win was extended to five games.
Michael Owen tapped the hosts into the lead with his 25th international goal, but once again England were unable to keep a clean sheet and Shinji Ono levelled matters just eight minutes after half-time.
Manager Sven Goran Eriksson insisted that he would play the team he intended to pick for the Euro 2004 opener against France and it was somewhat of a surprise when Frank Lampard was preferred in midfield to Nicky Butt.
The Chelsea man - asked to play in the unfamiliar anchor role - was part of a midfield quartet that took control of the game from the first whistle.
John Terry had the home side's first real chance when he stooped to head David Beckham's cross towards goal and it needed several Japanese defenders to clear the ball before it crossed the line.
The deadlock was broken midway through the opening half with a goal that was made and scored on the red half of Merseyside.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard quickly picked up on a weak clearance and, although his long-range shot was straight at Seigo Narazaki, the custodian could do no more than spill it to Owen who tapped home.
The goal was no more than England deserved after they had dominated possession and looked the more likely to find the net.
However, Owen's effort seemed to trigger Japan into life and it was the visitors who took control for the remainder of the first half.
Keiji Tamada, Ono and Shunsuke Nakamura all tested David James from distance and the scores should have been level soon after when Tsuneyasu Miyamoto planted a free header the wrong side of the upright.
Japan may also have been awarded a spot-kick just before the break as Paul Scholes tangled legs with Alex just inside the penalty area.
In a rare occurrence, Eriksson elected to keep the starting XI on for the beginning of the second half and he will have been concerned that some of his stars went to sleep for Japan's equaliser.
Some slick passing from right to left caught England short of numbers and Alex was allowed time to pull the ball back to the untracked Ono who slotted the ball through James' legs to make it one apiece.
If Eriksson wanted a test for his team then the Far East nation were certainly providing some tough resistance as their hard-work and neat passing continued to make life hard.
The ever-willing Owen could well have put his country back in front as his neat footwork inside the area gave him a sight of goal but his low shot was blocked by the on-rushing Narazaki.
England's substitutions finally came with around 15 minutes to play as Emile Heskey, Darius Vassell and Kieron Dyer were given a brief opportunity to shine.
But as the home crowd urged their team forward it was the visitors who looked more likely to sneak a winner with the lively Alex stinging James' palms with a rasping drive.
Eriksson may well be concerned by the team's showing but the major worry for the Swede will be possible injuries picked up by captain Beckham and defensive duo Gary Neville Terry that forced them to be taken off.
England Japan
Possession % 58% 42%
Goals 1 1
Shots on target 6 5
Shots off target 4 5
Blocked shots 5 2
Corners 8 5
Fouls 10 10
Offsides 0 3
Yellow cards 0 0
Red cards 0 0
Match facts
Competition: Internationals
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium
KO: 20:00 Tuesday 01st June 2004
Watch highlights:
England 1-1 Japan
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/40222000/rm/_40222849_sport_england_hl_vi.ram
England 1-1 Japan
Report by Rob Lancaster
England had to settle for a draw with Japan as they let slip a first-half lead at the City of Manchester Stadium as their run without a win was extended to five games.
Michael Owen tapped the hosts into the lead with his 25th international goal, but once again England were unable to keep a clean sheet and Shinji Ono levelled matters just eight minutes after half-time.
Manager Sven Goran Eriksson insisted that he would play the team he intended to pick for the Euro 2004 opener against France and it was somewhat of a surprise when Frank Lampard was preferred in midfield to Nicky Butt.
The Chelsea man - asked to play in the unfamiliar anchor role - was part of a midfield quartet that took control of the game from the first whistle.
John Terry had the home side's first real chance when he stooped to head David Beckham's cross towards goal and it needed several Japanese defenders to clear the ball before it crossed the line.
The deadlock was broken midway through the opening half with a goal that was made and scored on the red half of Merseyside.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard quickly picked up on a weak clearance and, although his long-range shot was straight at Seigo Narazaki, the custodian could do no more than spill it to Owen who tapped home.
The goal was no more than England deserved after they had dominated possession and looked the more likely to find the net.
However, Owen's effort seemed to trigger Japan into life and it was the visitors who took control for the remainder of the first half.
Keiji Tamada, Ono and Shunsuke Nakamura all tested David James from distance and the scores should have been level soon after when Tsuneyasu Miyamoto planted a free header the wrong side of the upright.
Japan may also have been awarded a spot-kick just before the break as Paul Scholes tangled legs with Alex just inside the penalty area.
In a rare occurrence, Eriksson elected to keep the starting XI on for the beginning of the second half and he will have been concerned that some of his stars went to sleep for Japan's equaliser.
Some slick passing from right to left caught England short of numbers and Alex was allowed time to pull the ball back to the untracked Ono who slotted the ball through James' legs to make it one apiece.
If Eriksson wanted a test for his team then the Far East nation were certainly providing some tough resistance as their hard-work and neat passing continued to make life hard.
The ever-willing Owen could well have put his country back in front as his neat footwork inside the area gave him a sight of goal but his low shot was blocked by the on-rushing Narazaki.
England's substitutions finally came with around 15 minutes to play as Emile Heskey, Darius Vassell and Kieron Dyer were given a brief opportunity to shine.
But as the home crowd urged their team forward it was the visitors who looked more likely to sneak a winner with the lively Alex stinging James' palms with a rasping drive.
Eriksson may well be concerned by the team's showing but the major worry for the Swede will be possible injuries picked up by captain Beckham and defensive duo Gary Neville Terry that forced them to be taken off.
England Japan
Possession % 58% 42%
Goals 1 1
Shots on target 6 5
Shots off target 4 5
Blocked shots 5 2
Corners 8 5
Fouls 10 10
Offsides 0 3
Yellow cards 0 0
Red cards 0 0
Match facts
Competition: Internationals
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium
KO: 20:00 Tuesday 01st June 2004
Watch highlights:
England 1-1 Japan
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/40222000/rm/_40222849_sport_england_hl_vi.ram
