Six of the best
Friday, 08 October, 2010
England beat Albania 6-1 in opening Euro qualifier.
Matt Phillips
Spurs midfielder Harry Kane scored twice as England hit Albania for six in the UEFA European Championship First Qualifying Round in Belgium on Friday afternoon.
England boss Noel Blake fielded four starters from last season’s successful European U17 Championship winning squad and it proved to be a masterstroke with Josh McEachran guiding home the opener on 17 minutes. And less than 60 seconds later, England doubled their lead thanks to Kane.
Connor Wickham scored the winner that sealed England’s U17 European title against Spain back in May and the Ipswich Town powerhouse marked his debut at U19 level with the third just before the break.
Kane made it 4-0 on 71 before Vasil Shkurtaj claimed a consolation spot-kick for Albania.
Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey made it 5-1 from the penalty spot on 78 and Arsenal’s Benik Afobe completed the rout with just two minutes left on the clock.
A victory over Cyprus on Sunday will send England through to next year’s Elite Qualifying Round.