England

0-0

Macedonia


UEFA European Championship Qualifying Group E
5pm, Sat 7 October 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
England 0-0 Macedonia Archive Details - Click Here

On a frustrating night for the Three Lions the biggest consolation for Head Coach Steve McClaren was another clean sheet and a strong performance from last-minute call-up Ledley King.

King answered McClaren’s late call when Rio Ferdinand woke up this morning with a back problem and the Tottenham man performed stoically for his country.

His performance means England haven’t conceded a single goal during McClaren’s reign so far and have completed six shut-outs in a row.

In fact, England have kept a clean sheet in nine out of their last 10 matches, which at least gives us a strong base to build on for the future.

No doubt that wasn’t at the top of McClaren’s mind as his England team toiled against Macedonia, desperately trying to find a way through, however.

And it certainly wasn’t what supporters were talking about as they headed home from Old Trafford.

But when you are looking for positives on a difficult night it’s always good to find something to keep the embers burning.

Make no mistake, this wasn’t an easy night for England’s back four, which had to be re-designed at the last minute when Rio pulled out.

Unlike Andorra, who came to Old Trafford and put 11 men behind the ball, Macedonia gave England a real test at both ends of the field.

King was particularly impressive as he made countless interceptions and last-gasp tackles to keep the visitors from creating chances.

One stupendous tackle on nippy substitute Aco Stojkov was particularly crucial as the visitors sped away on the break. And he was deservedly named England's man of the match.

There was also a saving header from Gary Neville at the far post, a goalline clearance from Ashley Cole and a header from a corner that fizzed only narrowly over Robinson’s bar.

With captain John Terry marshalling his back four England at least survived to give McClaren some crumbs of comfort, but you have to give Macedonia credit for their performance.

In left-sided attacker Ilco Naumoski they had one of the game’s most influential players, while Goran Pandev and Goran Maznov also caused problems on the break, not to mention Stojkov whose pace was a major threat all through the second half.

For the Three Lions, Peter Crouch provided the greatest threat and kept plugging away for the 90 minutes.

He saw one header from a Stewart Downing cross superbly saved, another from an Ashley Cole cross fly narrowly wide and a late bouncing chance somehow kept out by keeper Jane Niklolski.

He also fired a 20-yard effort close to the left-hand post but couldn’t add to the six goals he scored in McClaren’s first three games in charge.

Steven Gerrard shared his frustration, sending a 25-yard effort against the crossbar.

But this wasn’t really a night to talk about England success stories.

Perhaps better to say congratulations to Macedonia and think straight away about Croatia on Wednesday.

Archive Details - Click Here

England: 1 Robinson, 2 G. Neville, 3 A. Cole, 4 Gerrard, 5 King, 6 Terry (c), 7 Carrick, 8 Lampard, 9 Rooney (17 Defoe 74), 10 Crouch, 11 Downing (16 Wright-Phillips 70)

Subs: 12 P. Neville, 13 Kirkland, 14 Carragher, 15 Parker, 18 Bent

Macedonia: 1 Nikolovski, 2 Noveski, 3 Petrov, 4 Sedloski (c), 5 I. Mitreski, 6 Sumolikoski, 9 Maznov, 11 Naumoski (20 Stojkov 45), 14 Lazarevski, 6 A. Mitreski, 19 Pandev

Subs: 12 Pacovski, 18 Tasevski, 17 Jancevski, 15 Vasoski, 16 Popov, 10 Sakiri

Referee: Markus Merk (all Germany)
Assistant referees: Heiner Muller, Jan-Hendrik Salver
Fourth official: Knut Kircher