When Sven-Goran Eriksson first took cost of England, his appointment was met with hope and trepidation.
In spite of everything, the Swede was the primary non-English supervisor of the nationwide workforce however had a confirmed monitor report in Italy and Portugal. Nevertheless, he was taking on a gifted England workforce that have been bereft of confidence, missing the power to show their high quality into trophies.
Whereas Eriksson was in the end unable to supply any silverware for England, his arrival firstly 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 exceptional England comeback.
Right 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 A single Didi Hamann objective noticed Germany depart the outdated Wembley Stadium with a victory, whereas a goalless and drab draw with Finland had left England’s qualification in jeopardy.
In Eriksson’s second recreation answerable for England – the primary 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.
Fortuitously, Michael Owen was readily available to ship a pleasant left-footed equaliser in entrance of the Anfield Street 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 looked for a 3rd straight victory underneath 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’ fantastic by means of ball to offer them a Sixty fifth-minute lead.
Scholes doubled England’s benefit simply eight minutes later, firing residence Andy Cole’s cutback, however Albania would give Eriksson’s males a late scare following Ervin Skela’s highly effective drive. Nevertheless, any nervousness can be temporary for England supporters as Cole’s side-footed effort restored the Three Lions’ two-goal cushion.
Provided that solely the first-placed aspect within the group would qualify mechanically, it proved a priceless victory for England as they hunted down Germany on the high of the standings.
Greece have been a a lot harder opponent to crack in 2001 than they’re at present, 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 by which Eriksson’s aspect sparkled within the second half, Scholes discovering the again of the web 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 residence an beautiful free kick – albeit inferior to his strike towards Greece come the tip of qualifying – within the 86th minute, securing all three factors for England.
Together with friendlies, Eriksson had received his first 5 video games as Three Lions boss, serving to restore confidence within 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. Whereas any victory would have accomplished for the Three Lions, the emphatic nature of their triumph can’t be ignored.
Eriksson had misplaced his first England recreation in a pleasant towards the Netherlands final trip and it appeared to be one other tough night for the previous 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 fantastic 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 means of ball to make it 5-1.
The outcome not solely helped solidify England’s place within the group but in addition supplied supporters hope of what might be on the horizon on the 2002 World Cup.
England wanted to comply with up their spectacular victory towards Germany 4 days later once they clashed with Albania at St James’ Park. Whereas not essentially the most glamorous win on Tyneside, it was a big one.
Owen was there to attain one more qualifying objective for Eriksson’s aspect, a wonderful 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 closing group recreation conflict with Greece realizing all they wanted was a draw to safe protected passage to the 2002 World Cup, the Outdated Trafford crowd hopeful of witnessing a memorable afternoon of soccer. That they did, however maybe not fairly how they anticipated.
Angelos Charisteas rifled residence a first-half strike for the guests to set hearts pounding throughout the nation, however Teddy Sheringham’s looping header would stage proceedings for England. Nevertheless, the aid 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.
Because the clock ticked down and the nerves started to jangle extra furiously round Outdated Trafford, England have 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 have been nearly like penalties.
The midfielder bent a surprising lifeless 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 objective that sealed England’s spot on the 2002 World Cup.
For Eriksson, it was a job effectively accomplished.
