Brazil

0-1

England

Johnson 8


World Championship
Rio de Janeiro
16 August 2005

The England Amputee team disappointed a large local Brazilian crowd in Rio de Janeiro by beating the host country in their third group stage match of the World Championship.

In a sweltering heat of 30 degrees, England knew that Brazil would come out all guns blazing to try to record their first victory.

Despite putting the England team under early pressure, it was England who took first blood, scoring after just eight minutes through a direct free-kick 25 yards from goal by captain Steve Johnson.

Brazil then proceeded to pump high balls into the English area, but the defence held strong and restricted chances to long range efforts.

Then with time running out in the first period, 'keeper Carl Richardson made a double save on the edge of his area to enable his team to go in 1-0 up at half-time.

The pace and intensity of the game continued into the second half and with the heat beginning to take its toll on some players, changes were made to inject some impetus into the side whilst also enabling teenager Garreth Durrant to make his international debut.

His pace up front troubled the Brazilian defence for the last ten minutes and his appearance would have been even more memorable if his lofted shot had not rebounded off a post and away to safety on 46 minutes.

With six minutes of stoppage time having to be played, England held on for a momentous victory, which leaves them with a 100 percent record after three games and with no goals against.

They currently lie in second place behind Russia, their next opponents on Tuesday morning, with their final game of the group stages against Ukraine on Friday morning.

Current Standings

Group

P

W

D

L

F

A

Diff

Pts

Russia

3

3

0

0

20

2

3

9

England

3

3

0

0

9

0

9

9
Brazil

2

0

1

1

0

1

-1

1

Ukraine

2

0

1

1

2

4

-2

1

Sierra Leone

2

0

0

2

0

13

-13

0

Turkey

2

0

0

2

0

13

-13

0