England v Wales: Match Library

Thursday, 08 July 2004.

Match Build-up

• Defoe backs Owen
  EXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe is one of Owen's biggest fans - and is backing him to get back on the England goal trail.
• Welsh wizard
  Ryan Giggs is one of the leading players of his generation and one of the best players ever to emerge from Wales.
• Giggs returns to squad
  Wales manager Mark Hughes has named a 27-man squad to take on England at Old Trafford on 09 October.
• Hughes staying put
  Wales boss Mark Hughes says he has no plans to quit and that he is looking forward to the match with England.
• Sell-out success
  England have sold out all their tickets for their World Cup qualifier against Wales next month in just eight hours.
• Red connections
  ENGLAND TV: Steve McClaren says the head-to-head between Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville will be one to savour.
• Forward thinking
  ENGLAND TV: Sven exclusively tells TheFA.com why he's looking forward to next Saturday's game so much.
• 'Older and wiser'
  ENGLAND TV: Joe Cole feels he would have the discipline to marshal England's left against Wales if selected.
• Fit and in form
  FORM GUIDE: Wales will have almost a whole squad of Premiership players on show at Old Trafford on Saturday.
• Keeping cool
  ENGLAND TV: Paul Robinson wants a chance to prove he can cope with the pressure of being England's number one.
• Sven aiming for six points
  Sven says he is looking for six points from the next two World Cup qualifiers to put England top of their group.
• Big three return
  Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell are in Sven's 23-man England squad to face Wales and Azerbaijan.
• Old friends reunited
  MATCH BUILD-UP: David Beckham says he is back to his best form and can't wait to take on Wales at Old Trafford.
• Deano's dream
  THURSDAY EXCLUSIVE: Welsh legend Dean Saunders chats to TheFA.com ahead of the clash against England.
• England v Wales: Tickets
  England v Wales: Ticket details and prices
• 'A very tough game'
  ENGLAND TV: England coach Tord Grip is expecting a difficult time at Old Trafford as the Three Lions take on Wales.
• Defending England's cause
  ENGLAND TV: John Terry speaks exclusively to TheFA.com about the lessons he learned from Mark Hughes.
• Sven, the man
  ENGLAND TV: The FA's Adrian Bevington gives us an insight into the character of the England coach.
• Sven hails comeback kids
  Sven-Goran Eriksson is backing his comeback stars Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand to light up Old Trafford.
• Becks backs Owen
  MATCH BUILD-UP: David Beckham has backed Michael Owen to overcome his tough start at Real Madrid.
• Michael returns
  TRAINING UPDATE: Good news for England this morning as Michael Owen trains with the rest of the squad.
• The Venue: Old Trafford
  THE VENUE: TheFA.com provides you with all you need to know about Old Trafford
• On familiar ground
  Wales manager Mark Hughes will be stepping into familiar territory when he leads his country out at Old Trafford.
• The Opposition: Wales
  THE OPPOSITION: TheFA.com gives you the lowdown on Wales.
• 'No rivalry'
  ENGLAND TV: John Terry insists there is no rivalry between England's four world-class centre-backs.
• Sven's smiling
  EXCLUSIVE: Sven-Goran Eriksson tells us that the imminent return to action of three of his key men is a major boost.
• Rio's relishing return
  Rio Ferdinand says pulling on an England shirt will mean everything to him if he chosen to face Wales.
• England v Wales: Live Commentary
  LISTEN LIVE: This weekend, we will be bringing you live commentary of both of England's games against Wales.
• Hughes stokes Welsh fire
  HAVEN'T WE MET BEFORE? England's last meeting with Wales was 20 years ago, with Mark Hughes scoring.
• Gentle giant
  LEGENDS: Few would argue with the description of John Charles as the greatest Welsh player of all time.
• Nothing to prove
  MATCH BUILD-UP: Michael Owen insists he has not got a point to prove and expects to be fit to face Wales.
• Order your Official Programme
  England's first home game of their World Cup 2006 qualification campaign against Home Nation rivals, Wales.
• Rio and Sol return
  Sven-Goran Eriksson has re-united Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand at the heart of England's defence.
• Sven on Owen
  FITNESS UPDATE: Sven has revealed that Owen's injury should only keep him out 'for one or two training sessions'.
• Latest Owen news
  England were handed a boost today with the news that Michael Owen is expected to resume training tomorrow.
• 22 train in Manchester
  TRAINING UPDATE: England's first training session ahead of Saturday's qualifier took place this afternoon.
• England fitness update
  An X-ray this morning has confirmed that England midfielder Steven Gerrard has broken a bone in his foot.
• All together now
  EXCLUSIVE: Ledley King admits being dropped by England would hurt, but will give any replacement his full backing.
• Way of the Welsh
  Many of the attributes that Mark Hughes showed in his career can be seen in his Welsh team.
• England is the spur
  THURSDAY EXCLUSIVE: Welsh international Simon Davies is back from injury just in time to face England.
• Neville backing Rooney
  ENGLAND TV: Gary Neville is backing Wayne Rooney to be England's silent assassin against Wales at Old Trafford.
• Hartson looks forward
  EXCLUSIVE: A day before the big game, TheFA.com was invited to the Welsh team hotel for a chat with John Hartson.
• Rooney set to play
  EXCLUSIVE: England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson tells TheFA.com he's ready to play Wayne Rooney against Wales.

Minute by Minute

• England 2-0 Wales
  MINUTE BY MINUTE: England have beaten Wales 2-0 at Old Trafford with goals from Lampard and Beckham.

Match Report

• Becks appeal
  MATCH REPORT: England took three valuable points from Old Trafford with a workmanlike display against Wales.

Post Match Reaction

• Striking a blow
  REACTION: Wayne Rooney declared England's three-up-front policy a big success after victory over Wales.
• Defoe backs 3-man attack
  REACTION: Jermain Defoe feels the three-pronged strike-force that faced Wales worked well.
• Owen claiming goal
  REACTION: Michael Owen says he would like to claim England's first goal against Wales as his own.
• 'I am very pleased'
  REACTION: Sven-Goran Eriksson pronounced himself pleased with his side after they won on Saturday.
• 'A big prize at stake'
  REACTION: Sol Campbell says England's players are determined to win on Wednesday, despite being without Becks.