Defoe brace rescues England
HOLLAND (2) vs ENGLAND (2)
ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello insisted he remained calm at half-time after substitute Jermain Defoe spared his side’s blushes in Amsterdam last night.
Comedy defensive errors from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry handed the Netherlands a 2-0 lead at the break before Defoe climbed off the bench to earn his side a share of the spoils with an impressive brace.
Captain John Terry told a pre-match press conference that Capello’s infamous half-time rants were turning England into winners, but the Italian claimed he kept a cool head this time in turning round his side’s fortunes.
Asked what he said during the break, Capello said: “Nothing. I just spoke quietly with the players. It’s pre-season. It’s possible to make mistakes, but there are still 45 minutes to play. “I was sure we would play well in the second half, recover and the players did.”
Despite his cool exterior, Capello would have undoubtedly been anxious at the sight of Ferdinand’s weak 10th minute back pass to goalkeeper Robert Green which was pounced upon by Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt, who cut back and finished coolly at the near post.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Barry then got in on the act seven minutes from the break. His lethargic under-hit ball to Terry only found the on-rushing Arjen Robben who shot at the legs of Green for Rafael van der Vaart to fire home.
Despite that, Capello still insisted he wasn’t concerned by the sloppy defending, putting the errors down to a few pre-season nerves.
“Pre-season, for me yes, sometimes players can play a little bit tired, not 100 per cent physically, it’s not very good at this moment and you can make mistakes,” he added.
“It’s a friendly game, I prefer to give gifts in non-competitive games and not in future when you have to give three points.”
Wayne Rooney’s fierce effort wide of the target gave England hope before the break, but it was only the introduction of the lively Defoe, for Emile Heskey, which sparked the visitors into life.
Within four minutes of coming on, the Tottenham striker latched onto a ball over the top from Frank Lampard before composing himself and firing home off the near post.
Both he and fellow substitute Carlton Cole caused the Dutch all manner of problems and it was no surprise when the scores were level on 77 minutes – substitute James Milner breaking through on the left and centring for Defoe to slide home.
Cole came within inches of netted his first for his country as England pushed for a winner late on, but Capello will still be proud of his squad for limiting a classy Dutch side which has already qualified for South Africa next summer.
ENGLAND: Green, Johnson, A Cole (Bridge 84mins), Barry (Carrick 45), Ferdinand, Terry, Beckham (Wright-Phillips 45), Lampard, Heskey (Defoe 45), Rooney (C Cole 59), Young (Milner 68).