30 May 2006
VIDEO: Sven on win over Hungary

Following England's 3-1 win over Hungary at Old Trafford, Sven speaks to TheFA.com.

 

England

3-1

Hungary

Gerrard 47, Terry 51, Crouch 84

 

Dardai 55


International Friendly 
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
8.05pm, 30 May 2006

England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was pleased with his side's performance against Hungary as they stepped up their preparations ahead of the World Cup.

The team last played together at the start of March and, despite a slow opening forty minutes, England dominated a resolute Hungary side scoring three goals after the break.

Eriksson said: "We were even better than I thought we would be tonight. Hungary are a technically good side. They keep the ball well, break forward and they scored a fantastic goal, I must say.

"It was a very good test for us and I'm rather happy with it, although I'm sure we'll be playing even better at the World Cup. We've been training a lot and we had a very good intensive session on Monday.

"It's important that we were patient tonight because we were up against a team with nine men behind the ball, so we couldn't win the ball and play it forward very quickly. It's very difficult because you don't find any spaces anywhere."

The Swede was also satisfied with two goals scored early in the second-half, both from David Beckham dead-ball deliveries; first Steven Gerrard steered the ball past Kiraly, then John Terry powered home Beckham's in-swinger. 

"We started the second half very well and scored two good goals from set-pieces to make it 2-0.

"Set-pieces are important to us because we have people other than David Beckham who can take them, and then in the box, we are physically strong and have very good headers of the ball and players who can score goals."

Eriksson also had a word of praise for Jamie Carragher who operated in two positions during the game. The Liverpool man started the match in the holding midfield role before moving to right-back to replace Gary Neville right after the break. 

"Jamie Carragher is an all-round player," he said, "he's played at centre-back for Liverpool all season, but he has played right-back, left-back and sitting midfielder in the past. He can do everything very well.

"He's improved a lot technically, so I'm happy with him."

"We can play better than we did tonight and we will have to, but we have another game to prepare for the World Cup, which is good."