Match Summary

England Team

Turkey Team

The big players rise to the occasion. The great managers find that little bit extra when they have to. At the Stadium of Light, in a new diamond formation that Sven had introduced specifically for this encounter, England produced their finest performance since beating Argentina in the World Cup. They marched to the top of Group 7 on the strenght of this result and the feel-good factor will have reverberated around the country for a few good weeks.

Everyone wanted this game and the feistiness of Beckham's early tackles were clear evidence of that. The skipper was ultimately to have the last word but he might also have had the first. After Rooney, something of a surprise starter, had seen his goal-bound effort blocked on the line by a Turkish arm, the ball dropped to Beckham. Fired up, he tried to smash it home but could only scuff the ball wide.

This was a match that you could hardly take your eyes off for a second and World Cup semi-finalists Turkey soon showed their hand too. On the half-hour Basturk roved forward and unleashed a venomous drive that James did well to parry and then plunge onto the rebound. Then slow-then-fast Turkish style enjoyed superiority for a time until Rooney shook England awake.

Twice in a couple of minutes his blend of power, skill and directness frightened the life out of the visitors. First his audacious juggling bought him a yard of space and his sweeping cross found Gerrard free on the right. The Liverpol man whipped the ball in to Owen, who uncharacteristically got in a muddle and was unable to get his shot away properly.

Then, three minutes before the break, the Everton "Boy Wonder" picked the ball up on the halfway line and motored past two defenders before slipping a clever pass into Owen's angled run. This time he tried to dribble past Rustu but the excellent Turkish 'keeper did well to clutch the ball at his feet.

Just as they had done in Vaduz, England came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Even an injury to Owen could not interrupt the momentum that England were building. Sven might not have chosen to bring on Vassell at that stage but he would have been glad that he did. The quicksliver Villa striker altered the face of the game and could have scored within seconds, Rustu pushing over at full stretch.

On 74 minutes Vassell did what he does best. Chasing a long ball, he weaved in and out of the defence before forcing the 'keeper to concede a corner. All night England had looked dangerous from flag-kicks and Campbell alone might have found the net from three of them. This time, England made it count.

Beckham's kick was only partially cleared to Bridge and he drifted a lovely ball into Ferdinand at the far post. The outstanding Rustu got a hand to his effort but Vassell was there to gobble up the rebound with a low drive. Jubilation swung around the ground - everyone was well aware of the value of this goal.

Turkey poured forward in search of an equaliser and James' brilliant 81st-minute save from Nihat, leaping high into his right, was critical. Sven threw on Dyer for his pace and the Newcastle midfielder was pulled back by Ergun for a penalty that Becks tucked away majestically. Who said England played without passion?! - The Football Association Yearbook 2003-04, pp45-46

Source Notes

BBC Sport
TheFA.com
FA Library
Football Association Yearbook 2003-04
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CG