England National Football Team Match No. 754

England 2 Czech Republic 0 [2-0]

Wednesday, 18 November 1998

England Pre-Match

England’s opponent on this date originally was to have been Yugoslavia, but the Football Association, following intervention from the Foreign Secretary, withdrew its invitation because of atrocities committed against civilians in Kosovo.  Following unsuccessful efforts to secure Netherlands and then Belgium for this friendly match, the F.A. finally obtained the Czech Republic’s agreement to the date. 

All information is complete to and including the match against Luxembourg on 14 October 1998.

Notes

Tuesday, 17th November, 1998 - Glenn Hoddle revealed yesterday that he will speak to Manchester United midfielder David Beckham about his on-the-field behaviour.  Hoddle said; "David has been left alone since the World Cup to a certain degree. He has had a fair crack of the whip. He has to deal with this element in his game. He has to curb it."  Beckham was red carded for kicking out at Argentine defender Diego Simeone at the World Cup in France this summer but is a likely starter for England tomorrow night in a friendly at Wembley against the Czech Republic.  Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tim Sherwood was sent off against United at the weekend for raising his arm to Beckham after fouling him. Beckham clearly ran to confront Sherwood and held his face on the ground after being hit in the chest by Sherwood's wrist and forearm.  
Beckham's United colleague Paul Scholes is a major doubt for the England team tomorrow night as Hoddle is set to field Dion Dublin in attack after injuries have forced Alan Shearer and Michael Owen out of the squad.  There are also major doubts over Emile Heskey, whose ankle injury forced him out of Leicester's game at the weekend at West Ham.  Jamie Redknapp, Ian Wright and Paul Merson also missed training as they recovered from minor knocks, although all three are expected to train today along with Gareth Southgate, who was given time off yesterday to attend the birth of his baby.

Friday, 13th November, 1998 - Glenn Hoddle has brought three uncapped players into the squad for next week's friendly against the Czech Republic but has resisted any temptation to recall Paul Gascoigne.  Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright, Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie and Leicester striker Emile Heskey are the new additions, while Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler also earns a call-up ahead of Manchester United striker Andrew Cole.  Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince is left out of the squad as he is unavailable for England's next competitive game against Poland in March, while Tim Flowers, Phil Neville and Ray Parlour are dropped.  Tony Adams, Michael Owen and Teddy Sheringham miss out through injury but Jamie Redknapp is included despite suffering from a knee problem.  Hoddle revealed he had been impressed with Gascoigne's performances for Middlesbrough but felt it was too early to bring the troubled star back into the England squad.

Thursday, 12th November, 1998 - Tony Adams will miss the friendly with the Czech Republic next Wednesday.  The Arsenal veteran is struggling to be fit for the end of November after knee and ankle problems have sidelined him for the past three weeks.

Wednesday, 11th November, 1998 - Michael Owen is out of the Czech Republic friendly after sustaining a hamstring injury.  Owen suffered the injury in a 3-1 Worthington Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last night and as well as missing the England international, Owen will also be out for two Liverpool matches.

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