Right from the first
whistle there was more urgency and more determination and although there
was still a slight nervousness about England's opening play, there was
no doubt that they were all up for this one. The three changes from the
Algeria game all made significant early contributions. Matthew Upson
looked assured alongside John Terry, James Milner looked much sharper
than he did against the United States and Jermaine Defoe was a livewire alongside
Wayne Rooney. Rooney himself, although still a little under par, looked
much more like his old self with some strong runs and good touches.
Capello's tactics seemed right for the job although eyebrows were still
raised with him continuing to play Steven Gerrard on the left. The
difference with the display of the England captain this time came in the
fact that he did not wander from his position quite so often.
The fact that Slovenia's
man of the match was their goalkeeper Samir Handanović says it all
really and if there was one criticism of England's display it was that
the game was not put to bed early on. But credit Handanović for that as
he made a series of excellent saves.
After 20 minutes it was
clear that England needed a goal, just to settle those nerves. They had
had the better of the early attacks and you sensed that some momentum
was building up. A free-kick from Frank Lampard was well held by
Handaković and twice Rooney's runs created corners. The goal England
craved finally arrived on 23 minutes, and it was a beauty. Glen
Johnson, Lampard and Gareth Barry combined cleverly to feed Milner on
the right. The Aston Villa player wasted no time and curled in a
sublime cross into the penalty area. Defoe, as he has done all season
for Tottenham, anticipated the pass brilliantly and 'just like Lineker'
he nipped in front of the defender to rifle the ball home. Superb
cross, superb finish and just what the fans wanted to see.
After that goal England
settled down well and the passing became crisper, more accurate and
stretched the Slovenians to breaking point. It looks odds on a second
goal would follow, that it didn't happen was down to some superb
goalkeeping, poor finishing and just a little bit of bad luck. Another
brilliant Milner cross was again heading for Defoe but this time
Handaković palmed away. The ball dropped for Lampard and the Chelsea
player might have done better from 18 yards, but shot over. Then
another chance as Defoe's shot is again blocked before finding Rooney,
the Manchester United striker laid off a perfect ball into the path of
Gerrard but Handaković made a tremendous save down to his left. Robert
Green must have winced ruefully as the ball squirmed over the keeper and
rolled towards the net. This time though the keeper recovered. Gerrard
will kick himself for not blasting that one as his attempted placement
gave the keeper a glimmer of a chance, which he took. Still, it was all
very encouraging.
At the other end there
was little to worry David James, who again looked composed and assured
in goal. Upson was doing the job required of him and John Terry was in
prime form, despite the hoo ha of the week previous.
The only thing missing
from the first half performance was another goal, and after just a few
seconds of the second half it almost came. Rooney took a quick corner
and the ball was cleared, but then headed back into the danger area
where Defoe was all alone. He instinctively flicked his foot at the
ball only to see it go wide of a gaping goal. Had he realised how much
time he had then the outcome could have been different.
James made two important
catches as Slovenia tried to find a way back into the match but then on
57 minutes Terry saw a fine header palmed away by the impressive
Handaković. The keeper then made his best save of the game to prevent
Rooney scoring the goal he longs for. At first it looked a bad miss as
Rooney's shot struck a post, but replays showed a magnificent fingertip
touch from Handaković. If that had gone in then the whole country would
have rejoiced.
With
20 minutes left and England in command, but still only 1-0 ahead, the
nerves started to kick in slightly. Rooney went close, twice, and then
a long shot from the dangerous Birsa was saved by James. The England
team never do things the easy way and as the clocked ticked away the
worry was there that England would concede a late goal. The England
players had put a lot of effort into the first 75 minutes and one or two
were looking a little jaded. Slovenia sensed this and in one amazing
moment the England spirit on the night was shown in full. A brilliant
block by Terry from a Novaković shot was quickly followed by another by
Glen Johnson from the same player. The ball ran loose to Birsa and the
England defenders threw themselves at the ball to force the player to
shoot wide. It would have been a travesty if Slovenia had equalised but
after Capello made some changes, bringing on Joe Cole for Rooney, who
looked like he had taken a knock, and then Emile Heskey for Defoe, the
England players closed the game out expertly.
The cheer that went up
in England, when the referee blew the final whistle, could probably be
heard by the players in South Africa, such was the joy back home. Now,
thanks to the United States late goal against Algeria we face old adversaries
Germany. At least we will know what to expect on Sunday.
England
Football Online
Slovenia
Team
flg.jpg){kind=small}
England
Team
Source Notes