England

1-2

Belarus

Jenas 34

 

Kutozov 50, Kornilenko 81


'B' International Friendly 
Madejski Stadium, Reading FC
8.05pm 25 May 2006

Michael Owen proved his World Cup fitness in a 2-1 defeat for England B against Belarus, but Robert Green suffered heartache as he was carried off injured.

The Norwich goalkeeper fell to the floor in agony as he cleared a ball after 50 minutes, and could only watch as Belarus winger Vitaly Kutuzov turned the ball into an empty net.

It was a cruel way for England to concede but even tougher on Green whose World Cup must be in doubt with the finals so close.

England’s first-choice keeper Paul Robinson showed the solidarity in the camp by racing from his seat in the stand to be with Green as he left the field. And every player in the squad will be hoping the injury is not as bad as first appears.

What a shame that such an unfortunate accident should overshadow what was looking like a positive day for the Three Lions, in which Jermaine Jenas put his side ahead and winger Aaron Lennon was outstanding.

In England’s first B international in eight years, Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson unleashed another young hot-shot Theo Walcott after an hour.

But he gave Owen the chance to improve his match fitness from the start after recovering from a broken foot, and the striker responded by setting up his team’s opener and coming through the match with aplomb.

The Newcastle man almost scored after five minutes, latching onto a Michael Carrick through-ball before seeing his effort saved.

Carrick was given the chance to play alongside his Spurs teammate Jenas in the centre of the field, with Peter Crouch partnering Owen up front.

Sol Campbell and Jamie Carragher anchored the defence, with Ashley Cole and Owen Hargreaves the full-backs in an impressive looking line-up that combined youth and experience.

Crouch looked sharp in the first half, firing a volley at the keeper from 25 yards and turning home a Lennon cross, only to find it was given offside.

He also hooked a volley over the bar from a deep Jenas cross, while Lennon was so unlucky when his effort after a jinking run was just too high.

Downing, too, looked dangers whenever he was got the ball onto his lethal left foot, seeing a free-kick from the edge of the area just scrambled away.

The goal eventually came after 34 minutes, and it was Downing’s left wand again that set it up.

He curled over a free-kick from the left flank, Owen’s header struck the crossbar and Jenas was on hand to nod home the rebound.

England's defence was made to work, though, and suffered a scare on 45 minutes when, in a scramble from a corner, only the woodwork kept David James’ goal safe.

Sven brought on keeper Green at half-time, but he lasted only two minutes before picking up his terrible injury, with Scott Carson taking his place with the score 1-1.

Walcott then made his much-heralded entrance after 60 minutes, to a huge roar from the Reading crowd, while Joe Cole also took to the field with Owen and Jenas going off.

Lennon continued to impress, and when Sergei Omelyanchuk was sent off for yet another foul on the Spurs youngster, England stepped up a gear.

Joe Cole twice went close to winning it while Walcott's vicious shot on the turn stung the Belarus keeper's hands.

Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson, who had a late effort saved, also made appearances, but England were undone nine minutes from time when Sergei Kornilenko drilled home left-footed for 2-1.

In the end it was a disappointing result and a terrible night for poor Green. But there were positives for England, too, with Owen, Campbell and Ashley Cole proving their fitness and Lennon adding to his reputation.

Teams:

England: David James (Robert Green 46 (Scott Carson 50)), Owen Hargreaves, Ashley Cole, Michael Carrick, Jamie Carragher, Sol Campbell, Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas (Joe Cole 62), Peter Crouch (Michael Dawson 79), Michael Owen (c) (Theo Walcott 62), Stewart Downing (Jermain Defoe 79)

Subs not used: Wayne Bridge, Phil Neville, Andrew Johnson

Belarus: Zhevnov (Khomutovsky 46), Kulchy, Lentsevich, Omelianchuk, Shtanuk, Korytsko, Yurevich (Shagoiko 61), Bulyga (Kornilenko 46), Romaschenko (Kashevsky 74), Kalachev (Pankovets 80), Kutuzov (Kontsevoy 64) 

Subs not used: Sulima

Att: 22,032