When Sven-Goran Eriksson first took cost of England, his appointment was met with hope and trepidation.
After all, the Swede was the first non-English supervisor of the nationwide workforce however had a confirmed observe report in Italy and Portugal. However, he was taking on a proficient England workforce that had been bereft of confidence, missing the capacity to show their high quality into trophies.
While Eriksson was finally unable to supply any silverware for England, his arrival at the starting of 2001 did spark one thing of a revival for the Three Lions at first. With qualification for the 2002 World Cup in jeopardy after simply two group matches, Eriksson masterminded a outstanding England comeback.
Here is how Eriksson helped England qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
When Eriksson arrived as England boss, the Three Lions had only one level from their opening two 2002 World Cup qualifiers. A single Didi Hamann purpose noticed Germany depart the previous Wembley Stadium with a victory, whereas a goalless and drab draw with Finland had left England’s qualification in jeopardy.
In Eriksson’s second sport answerable for England – the first being a 3-0 pleasant victory towards Spain – the Swede welcomed Finland to Anfield. It proved a nightmare begin to his first aggressive match in cost, Aki Riihilahti placing the guests forward from a first-half nook.
Fortunately, Michael Owen was available to ship a pleasant left-footed equaliser in entrance of the Anfield Road Stand, with David Beckham grabbing his first of many in qualifying shortly after the break, thrashing a fierce strike past Antti Niemi.
For Eriksson and England, it proved a key turning level of their bid to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
As England searched for a 3rd straight victory beneath Eriksson, they travelled to Tirana to face Albania. After a goalless first half, the Three Lions turned up the warmth as Owen transformed Paul Scholes’ great by way of ball to provide them a Sixty fifth-minute lead.
Scholes doubled England’s benefit simply eight minutes later, firing dwelling Andy Cole’s cutback, however Albania would give Eriksson’s males a late scare following Ervin Skela’s highly effective drive. However, any nervousness could be temporary for England supporters as Cole’s side-footed effort restored the Three Lions’ two-goal cushion.
Given that solely the first-placed aspect in the group would qualify routinely, it proved a priceless victory for England as they hunted down Germany at the prime of the standings.
Greece had been a a lot harder opponent to crack in 2001 than they’re right this moment, therefore why they managed to win Euro 2004, however England nonetheless proved an excessive amount of for Vasilios Daniil’s aspect. It was once more a match wherein Eriksson’s aspect sparkled in the second half, Scholes discovering the again of the internet as soon as extra.
The Manchester United midfielder made a late dart into the Greece penalty space, latching on to Emile Heskey’s cross to place England in entrance. Beckham would then tuck dwelling an beautiful free kick – albeit not so good as his strike towards Greece come the finish of qualifying – in the 86th minute, securing all three factors for England.
Including friendlies, Eriksson had received his first 5 video games as Three Lions boss, serving to restore confidence in the England camp.
Undoubtedly Eriksson’s biggest victory as England supervisor, the Swede helped mastermind a well-known and memorable win over longstanding rivals Germany. While any victory would have completed for the Three Lions, the emphatic nature of their triumph can’t be ignored.
Eriksson had misplaced his first England sport in a pleasant towards the Netherlands final day trip and it gave the impression to be one other tough night for the former Sampdoria boss. Carsten Jancker put Germany forward after simply six minutes, however Owen would reply with an equaliser shortly afterwards.
From then onwards, England would take pleasure in themselves in Munich. Steven Gerrard’s great long-range strike put the Three Lions forward earlier than the break, with Owen grabbing a brace after half-time to finish a superb hat-trick.
Heskey, who arrange Owen’s second, would get on the scoresheet himself, the striker sliding past Oliver Kahn from Scholes’ by way of ball to make it 5-1.
The consequence not solely helped solidify England’s place in the group but additionally provided supporters hope of what may very well be on the horizon at the 2002 World Cup.
England wanted to observe up their spectacular victory towards Germany 4 days later after they clashed with Albania at St James’ Park. While not the most glamorous win on Tyneside, it was a major one.
Owen was there to attain yet one more qualifying purpose for Eriksson’s aspect, a lovely exterior of the foot volley two minutes earlier than the break. England would go away it late to safe the three factors, Robbie Fowler beating two Albanian defenders earlier than dinking a stunning shot previous the onrushing goalkeeper.
England went into their ultimate group sport conflict with Greece realizing all they wanted was a draw to safe secure passage to the 2002 World Cup, the Old Trafford crowd hopeful of witnessing a memorable afternoon of soccer. That they did, however maybe not fairly how they anticipated.
Angelos Charisteas rifled dwelling a first-half strike for the guests to set hearts pounding throughout the nation, however Teddy Sheringham’s looping header would degree proceedings for England. However, the reduction and pleasure of the striker’s effort would solely final for a minute as Demis Nikolaidis capitalised on some poor defending to place Greece again in entrance.
As the clock ticked down and the nerves started to jangle extra furiously round Old Trafford, England had been awarded a free kick from 30 yards out with simply seconds of stoppage-time remaining. Up stepped Beckham, a person for whom free kicks had been virtually like penalties.
The midfielder bent a surprising useless ball up and over the Greek wall, his effort flying past the unmoved Antonis Nikopolidis. It sparked jubilant celebrations from the euphoric crowd and was the purpose that sealed England’s spot at the 2002 World Cup.
For Eriksson, it was a job properly completed.
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