| Austria |
0 - 1 |
England |
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Half Time
( 0 - 1 ) |
 Scorers
Crouch 44
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England secured a much-needed victory in Austria ahead of tomorrow’s game between Russia and Israel and their trip to Croatia next week. But it was one in which they failed to shine against a poor host nation.
Austria could never have expected to get anything out of the match after winning only one of their last 10 games. But they put up a brave, if not weak, fight against a side who has recently been criticised for lacking passion.
Underfire boss Steve McClaren made the bold decision to give Scott Carson his debut in goal after impressive performances for the Under-21s and Aston Villa. Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge filled in at the back, with Beckham returning to midfield after missing the last few international games through injury.
In a fairly uneventful first-half, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger replaced Jurgen Macho after 25 minutes following an accidental clash between the keeper and Peter Crouch.
Owen forced a great save from Manninger after a swift move, started by the forward on the edge of his own area, which ended when Crouch rolled it backwards to play the Newcastle striker in through the centre of the opposition penalty box.
But England’s half was overshadowed by an injury to Michael Owen 11 minutes before the break when he limped off with a thigh strain. As well as ruling him out of the rest of this game, it also makes him unavailable for next week’s possible crunch game with Croatia.
Cole broke through the defence and saw the goalkeeper smother the ball before Crouch’s follow-up was deflected out for a corner. And from Beckham’s high cross, Peter Crouch lightened the mood of the visitors when he rose to nod in the corner to put England ahead after 44 minutes.
Scott Carson wasn’t tested until injury time when he got down low to save the ball at the feet of an incoming striker as the Austrians failed to make inroads up front.
In the second-half, McClaren knew that he had to inject something different into his lacklustre side and brought on Wes Brown, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young for Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole.
The movement looked better in the opening minutes and Young blasted a shot high and wide as he tried to create some space for himself on the left. And it was an impressive second-half performance from the Villa player who looks to have a bright international future if this was anything to go by.
Austria also made a double substitution at the break with Kienast and Leitgeb coming on for Weissenberger and Kuljic. But both players struggled to find their way into the game as the friendly contest failed to materialise into much with Austria unable to create many chances up front.
In one move they had a strong penalty appeal turned down when he kept hold of Ivanschitz’s arm and pulled him to the ground as a deep cross came in from the right. But the referee only gave a corner.
Crouch had the chance to score his 14th goal in his 23 international games when his firm header from Young’s cross forced Manninger into a good save, but the England striker should’ve done better with his free header from six yards.
David Bentley replaced Beckham with just over an hour gone as McClaren looked to a future England team, possibly without the European Championship finals to play in next summer. And goalscorer Crouch was replaced by Alan Smith for the final quarter of an hour but by this time, the England side seemed to have used up their energy for creating chances.
Austria were no better though as they appeared to be fairly happy to play the all around in their own half as the clock ticked down. The contest they promised to produce at the beginning of the second-half didn’t ever really get going and they ended up a poor second in rather poor game overall.
The final minutes were painful to watch as the game lost its rhythm and the whistles from the crowd urged the referee to end it as soon as possible.
It wasn’t that pretty to watch and neither side managed to gain much from it. Austria picked up a fairly usual defeat which most people had predicted, while England lost one of their best players in a game they should never really have been close to losing.
Austria: Macho (Manninger 25), Standfest (Kavlak 78), Schiemer, Gercaliu, Stranzl (Hiden 86), Sariyar (Harnik 65), Aufhauser, Ivanschitz, Garics, Weissenberger (Kienast 46), Kuljic (Leitgeb 46).
Subs Not Used: Ertl, Fuchs, Saumel, Patocka.
England: Carson, Richards, Campbell (Brown 46), Lescott, Bridge, Beckham (Bentley 62), Gerrard (Barry 46), Lampard, Joe Cole (Young 46), Crouch (Smith 73), Owen (Defoe 34).
Subs Not Used: James, Ashley Cole, Shorey, Neville, Downing, Robinson, Wright-Phillips.
Goals: Crouch 44.
Att: 39,432
Ref: Nicolai Vollquartz (Denmark).
By Ben Hughes
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