Home Internationals – Leg 1

Tomorrow night the Republic of Ireland visit Wembley in the first of 2 friendlies with other members of the British Isles. The second, after the summer, is against the old foes Scotland. Two friendlies…

It will be the first time England have played the Republic since the England ‘fans’ turned to violence in 1995 and the match was abandoned.

1995 match abandoned due to crowd trouble

Now things are different, we hope and expect. The FA have asked fans not to sing IRA songs, as they did in San Marino apparently.

After the completion of the domestic season and the sadly all German Champions League final; a bit bizarre given the Wembley stage, this and the away game against Brazil on Sunday are the last tastes of English and England football before the summer.

A few ‘first choice’ players are already out of the frame, Gerrard and unfortunately Wilshere among them and Kyle Walker who suffered an injury last week in the Bahamas. This leaves Johnson likely to start adding pace from the back. After a period of good form since his Chelsea departure Sturridge is given a first start to partner Rooney up front.

Ashley Cole to captain England

Tomorrow, to honour gaining his 100 Caps a couple of games ago, Ashley Cole will lead out the 3 Lions. After a somewhat confusing communication from Hodgson, first stating that Frank Lampard would remain captain and then confirming that after discussion with Lampard, Cole would be the captain for the match with Lampard’s blessing.

No IRA songs, and a 2-0 victory for the 3 Lions.

Fresh looking England

Lamps sealed the win

It was a first time strike from the capable right foot of Frank Lampard that ensured a new look England beat Brazil!

Lamps goal

Hodgson used the friendly to test a more attacking formation with Rooney being joined by Wellbeck and Walcott.
With the midfield flair of Wilshere this proved to create a much more flowing forward movement giving hope for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

However it was Brazil that had the chance to take the lead through a debatable penalty – the ball hitting Wilshere’s hand as he tried to pull away at close range. The old star Ronaldinho stepped up up the spot and looked a little nervous. His kick was stopped by Joe Hart at full stretch to his left, the rebound that Ronaldinho got his foot to was blocked on its way to the line by Hart’s right hand. Amazing goalkeeping. Then Cleverly lunged to clear the ball from Neymar as he planned to tap in.

Less than 10 minutes later England impressed moving forwards through Wilshere, Wellbeck feeding Walcott with his shot being saved by Cesar, but the rebound fell to Rooney, who confidently slotted the ball home to give England the lead.

Neymar, who had been expected to impress, did little to live up to the expectations, in fact quite the opposite when missing a sitter when only needing to tap the ball in from a great cross from Oscar, he put the ball over the bar.

Rooney celebrates

So 1-0 to the 3 Lions at the break through Rooney sporting his now much thicker hair.

Directly after the break, which saw England bring on Lampard and Baines in place for Cleverly and Cole, England were stunned when Fred picked up on the defensive error of Cahill to put the Brazilians level. Fred…a Brazilian called Fred?

It was only one minute later when Fred again threatened, this time touching the bar and going over.

England needed to, and did, regain composure and possession, this leading to another spell of England pressure and Cahill almost redeeming himself with his header (or was it shoulder) needing a great save from Cesar.

With a half hour left to play Lampard struck first time with his right foot from the edge of the box to place the ball beyond Cesar and give England the lead and a deserved victory.

The ITV pundits Roy Keane and Lee Dixon commented that Brazil were disappointing, but they were still Brazil and England beat them for the first time since 1990! And in doing so showed a midfield presence though Wilshere and an attack with pace through Wellbeck, Rooney and Walcott that will cause teams problems.

Next it’s San Marino, but the important match is Montenegro on the 26th March.