England 2-2 Czech Republic
International Friendly
8pm, Wednesday 20 August 2008
Wembley Stadium
Live on Setanta
Wes Brown scored his first international goal against Czech Republic and after starting four of the last five internationals under Fabio Capello, he now wants to cement his place in the team with the 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign on the horizon.
Just before half-time, Wes Brown rose to meet a David Beckham corner and guided his header into the back of the net to equalise a 22nd minute strike from Czech forward, Milan Baros.
A Marek Jankulovski free-kick just after the restart gave the visitors the lead once more and England were made to wait until injury time before Joe Cole could scramble home a late leveller.
England's World Cup Qualifying campaign begins on 6 September against Andorra and Brown knows the Three Lions can build on Wednesday night's performance.
"I thought we played well all in all, we're just a bit disappointed with the result," he told TheFA.com.
"We battled hard to get the result and I think we deserved it in the end. Hopefully, in future, we can get a few goals before we have to start chasing games."
Wes Brown was almost a permanent fixture in the Manchester United starting eleven last season and he has featured for England in recent matches against Switzerland, France and USA.
He now wants to build on these appearances and help England qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"It's been good being involved with England. I've been in and out of the squad for the last ten years, but to be involved under the new boss is brilliant.
"I'm 28 now, I've had many years at Manchester United and to be playing week in, week out will only help my chances of playing for England.
"It'll be a battle for me again this season to keep my place in the team at United, but hopefully I can keep playing well and keep my place with England as well.
And what of his first international goal?
"It was good to get the goal; I don't score many, but it was great to get one for my country and contribute to the 2-2 draw.
"All I can do is try my hardest to keep my place, but the most important thing is that the team plays well and we qualify for the World Cup."
Teams
England
1 David James, 2 Wes Brown, 3 Ashley Cole, 4 Gareth Barry, 5 Rio Ferdinand (15 Jonathan Woodgate, 58), 6 John Terry (c), 7 David Beckham (19 Jermaine Jenas, 79), 8 Frank Lampard (17 David Bentley, 79), 9 Jermain Defoe (21 Emile Heskey, 46), 10 Steven Gerrard (20 Joe Cole, 58), 11 Wayne Rooney (18 Stewart Downing, 68)
Substitutes not used
12 Paul Robinson, 13 Glen Johnson, 14 Wayne Bridge, 16 Matthew Upson, 22 Theo Walcott, 23 Joe Hart.
Goals
Brown 45, Cole 90+2
Manager
Fabio Capello
Czech Republic
1 Petr Cech, 2 Zdeněk Grygera (12 Zdenek Pospech, 46), 21Tomaš Ujfalusi (c), 22 David Rozehnal, 6 Marek Jankulovski, 11 Stanislav Vlcek (14 David Jarolim, 46), 5 Radoslav Kovac, (3 Jan Rajnoch, 76), 8 Jan Polak, 20 Jaroslav Plasil (9 Michal Papadopulos, 90+2), 17 Radek Sirl, (Michal Kadlac, 76), 15 Milan Baros (19 Vaclav Sverkos, 46).
Substitutes not used
23 Daniel Zitka.
Goals
Baros 22, Jankulovski 48
Manager
Petr Rada
Team Colours
England
White shirts, blue shorts, white socks
Czech Republic
Red shirts, red shorts, red socks
Attendance
69,738