TheFA.com looks back on the only previous meeting between England any Liechtenst

TheFA.com looks back on the only previous meeting between England any Liechtenstein - the Euro 2004 qualifier in Vadux back in March of this year...

Liechtenstein 0-2 England
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
Vaduz
1 29 March 2003

After the frustration of Macedonia and the disappointment of Australia, England got back on the winning trail with a professional and efficient performance to record a 2-0 victory against opposition who refused to be overawed by the prospect of playing their illustrious opponents.

This wasn't England at their finest but it was evidence that they are beginning to shift up the gears and once again it was Michael Owen who set England on their way. Ironically, after a brisk start in which Becks, Dyer and Neville had all shown early, Michael's 28th minute opener came at a time England's momentum looked to be waning a little.

It was a well-worked goal and one which, in common with so much of England's best work, emanated from the right flank. Beckam released the rampaging Heskey and, after the power and pace of his run, he produced a deft cross that was met by Owen's textbook header to find the corner of the net from six yards.

Really England should have doubled their lead soon after. Twice in two minutes long balls found Beckam and Heskey in one on ones with Jehle. While the skipper failed to control the ball properly for his chance, Heskey had a penalty appeal turned down following the 'keeper's challenge on him.

However, It was by no means all one way traffic and Liechtenstein's front pairing of Bent and Frick had a number of half chances throughout the game, most of which were created through their own desire and determination.

England knew that a one-goal lead would always be an uncomfortable one and started the second half in business-like fashion. Dyer's lovely, weaving 47th minute run ended with a pass to Owen who couldn't believe his luck when he collected the ball and found himself on the edge of the area with Liechtenstein's defenders notable only by their absence. It all seemed a little too simple until Jehle managed to block the Liverpool man's strike which was, in truth, not as clinical as we know he is capable of producing.

At this stage though England were clearly dominating and a succession of chances and free-kicks seemed to indicate that the second strike could not be too far away.

And so it proved. You may know what Beckam wants to do with his free-kicks when he steps up to the ball some 25 yards out...preventing him doing it is another matter entirely. He struck a pearler of a free-kick on 53 minutes, bending his effort with pace around the wall and in off Jehle's left hand post.

A young man named Rooney was also given a run-out, being introduced to the action on 78 minutes. Brian Kidd had a long chat with him on the touchline and Sven too had a precise word or two to impart.

The Everton striker should really have scored with a header after Dyer had shimmied his way to the by-line on 85 minutes but it was not to be...this time.

The locals gave their side a standing ovation at the end. This was the biggest game in the country's history. For England it was rather more a case of job done.

From Daniel Freedman in Vaduz.

Teams

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Telser, D'Elia, Hasler, Michael Stocklasa, Martin Stocklasa, Zech, Buchel, Thomas Beck, Frick, Gerster.
Subs: Heeb, Ospelt, Gigon, Ritter, Matthias Beck, Burgmeier, Nigg.

England: James, G Neville, Bridge, Ferdinand, Southgate, Beckham (Murphy), Scholes, Gerrard (Butt), Dyer, Heskey (Rooney), Owen.
Subs not used: Robinson, Mills, Woodgate, Vassell.

Referee: Georgios Kasnaferis
Assistants: Andreas Giakoumis and Dimitrios Groutsis
Fourth Official: Georgios Borovilos