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Expectant England seek hat-trick of wins
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-13 11:28
England should complete a hat-trick of victories that will put them firmly on
course for the 2006 World Cup in the qualifier in Azerbaijan.
England's soccer
manager Sven Goran-Eriksson (C) gives a team talk at the start of training
in Baku October 12, 2004. England will play Azerbaijan in their World Cup,
European Zone, Group Six qualifier on October 13.
[Reuters] |
England started their Group Six
campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw in Austria, after leading 2-0 in the
second half, a result that sparked calls from a hostile media for coach
Sven-Goran Eriksson to be sacked.
The critics were silenced, though, by a gritty 2-1 victory in Poland and a
comfortable 2-0 win over Wales on Saturday which left Eriksson's men top of the
group with seven points, ahead of Poland (6pts) and Austria (4pts).
Against an Azerbaijan side with only two points on the board England should
have little difficulty defending that lead -- and potentially extending it if
Poland fail to beat the Welsh in Cardiff -- despite some injury woes.
Skipper David Beckham, who is also suspended, and Steven Gerrard are two
heavyweight absentees from the midfield, with Shaun-Wright Phillips expected to
replace the former and Nicky Butt the latter after his fine display against
Wales.
England's soccer
manager Sven Goran-Eriksson (C) holds his head as he watches his team warm
up at the start of training in Baku October 12, 2004. England are due to
play Azerbaijan in their World Cup, European Zone, Group Six qualifier on
October 13. [Reuters] |
Frank Lampard, who
opened the scoring on Saturday, is sure to start while the remaining left-sided
slot in a 4-4-2 midfield should be between Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves,
depending on whether Eriksson wants an attack or defence-minded player.
Teenage striker Wayne Rooney, who made some thrilling runs from midfield in a
playmaking role on Saturday, should partner Michael Owen up front.
However, Eriksson may yet stick by Saturday's three-man attack with Owen and
Jermain Defoe supported by Rooney. Hargreaves would then come in for Beckham on
the right.
ROONEY THREAT
A revelation at Euro 2004, Rooney is one of the hottest properties in
international football and the 18-year-old can expect some tight marking in
Baku.
England's soccer
striker Michael Owen (L) and Wayne Rooney train in Baku October 12, 2004.
England are due to play Azerbaijan in their World Cup, European Zone,
Group Six qualifier on October 13.
[Reuters] |
Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto
was quoted as telling media this week: "Rooney is an excellent player. He will
be our big problem and we may need two or three players to look after him."
The Brazilian, who has no major injury or suspension worries following a 0-0
home draw with Northern Ireland on Saturday, is likely to keep the same starting
line-up.
It remains to be seen whether the small country on the Caspian Sea can pose
trouble for England on the pitch, although they are likely to cause problems for
the British media with two players named Guliyev and three Gurbanovs in the
squad.
Defenders Kamal Guliyev and Emin Guliyev formed the Azeri backline against
the Northern Irish after being recalled following a lengthy absence.
Midfielder Makhmud Gurbanov also started Saturday's game, while strikers
Ildar Gurbanov and Gurban Gurbanov came on in the second half. None of the five
players are related.
Wednesday's probable teams:
Azerbaijan: Jahangir Hasanzade; Rafael Amirbekov, Aftandil Hajiyev, Emin
Guliyev, Kamal Guliyev; Mahir Shukurov, Makhmud Gurbanov, Ismail Mamedov, Rashad
Sadygov; Samir Aliyev, Nadir Nabiyev.
England: Paul Robinson; Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley
Cole; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard, Nicky Butt, Owen Hargreaves; Wayne
Rooney, Michael Owen
Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)
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