Defoe rescues England
England’s World Cup campaign finally took off on Wednesday at the third attempt as Fabio Capello’s side qualified for the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Slovenia.
But the United States took top spot in Group C with an injury-time winner over Algeria, meaning England finished runners-up and Slovenia — who had begun the day on top of the table — were eliminated.
After completing their do-or-die mission, England now face the winners of Group D, which contains Germany.
Jermain Defoe started for England in place of Emile Heskey in one of the biggest gambles of manager Capello’s career and the move paid dividends with the Tottenham striker’s 23rd minute volleyed goal.
“This was the team which I loved to see in qualifying. We played with freedom, our minds were free,” said Capello.
Defoe was delighted with his contribution. “The victory was more important than my goal. We came out fired up for the game, we passed the ball well and got the early goal. We’re through to the next round and that’s the important thing,” he said.
England skipper Steven Gerrard cautioned against over-optimism after a stuttering campaign. “You are always anxious when you need to win, but we showed passion, quality and desire,” he said, adding “but we know that if we produce another performance like we did against Algeria, it’ll be our last.”
An opening 1-1 draw with the United States followed by the lame goalless stalemate with Algeria had left England staring at the possibility of failing to make it out of the group stage for the first time since 1958.
England started brightly and Wayne Rooney raised the temperature when he raced onto a superb through ball and Slovenia’s defence had their work cut out to stop Gerrard heading in his cross to the far post.
Capello had called for John Terry to put up a “big performance” after his failed mutiny and the Chelsea defender responded, making a fine robust intervention to rob Robert Ljubijankic of the ball beside James’s near post.
England then took the lead with a superb high ball from James Milner, who started in place of Aaron Lennon, on the right wing into the box for Defoe to volley past Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic. In almost a carbon copy move minutes later Milner crossed again, this time Defoe’s shot was parried by Handanovic with Frank Lampard pouncing on the clearance only to fire over the bar.
It took a succession of fine saves from Handanovic to prevent England from doubling their lead as the Slovenia keeper kept out shots from Defoe and Gerrard. The boos that had followed England off the pitch after Friday’s woeful performance against Algeria were replaced by cheers as they walked off at the break. Seconds after the restart Defoe could and should have got his second, but his goalmouth effort after great work by Rooney on the left, went wide. He then had a goal disallowed for offside as England maintained their high tempo pace. — AFP
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