England 2, Turkey 1: Vardy’s a wed cert for Euro 2016 squad as Hodgson grants match-winner time off to get married
England 2, Turkey 1
England manager Roy Hodgson defended the decision to allow Jamie Vardy time off from the team’s Euro 2016 preparations in order to get married after the Leicester forward sank Turkey on Sunday.
Vardy’s 83rd-minute goal – his third goal in his last three international appearances – earned Hodgson’s men victory at the Etihad Stadium in the first of three European Championship warm-up fixtures.
Strike partner Harry Kane had put England in front in the third minute but, after Hakan Calhanoglu equalised for the visitors, missed from the spot after Vardy had won a penalty.
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Hodgson has granted Vardy leave to get married on Wednesday, meaning the 29-year-old will miss Friday’s match against Australia.
The move suggests Vardy’s place in the final 23 is assured, although the England head coach conceded it was unorthodox in the run-up to a major tournament.
“The public might think it odd, but the major reason for it is because he had to cancel the wedding last year,” said Hodgson.
“His wedding was planned for last June, I called him up for friendlies and he cancelled it, so he’s within his rights to get married on Wednesday.
“We know Jamie, we’re satisfied with him and I don’t think his place is under serious threat, so it hasn’t caused me too many problems.
“He’ll now celebrate his wedding, so we won’t see him for a few days.”
Striking options
Hodgson said Vardy’s absence would allow Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge – who all missed yesterday’s game due to recent club commitments – a greater chance to stake their claims.
“Kane and Vardy will face more competition when Rooney and Sturridge and Rashford turn up,” he added. “The Manchester United and Liverpool players will be involved [against Australia] if fit.”
England’s win over a talented Turkey side, albeit one also missing senior players, was encouraging, although the attacking promise of Kane, Vardy and Dele Alli was tempered by some worryingly ragged defending.
Tottenham’s Kane took a shade over two minutes to slot the hosts ahead. Replays showed the Premier League golden boot winner was clearly offside when he gathered Alli’s pass, but his side-footed finish was clinical.
Turkey were quick to respond and only a Kyle Walker block prevented Ozan Tufan from levelling before Calhanoglu did, slotting in after goalkeeper Joe Hart’s charge out wide failed to stop Volkan Sen’s cross.
From front three to diamond midfield
Vardy’s deployment on the left of a front three limited the former non-league star’s threat in the first hour, until Hodgson switched to a diamond midfield and allowed the Foxes player to run in behind Turkey’s back four.
He did just that in the 71st minute and, having got in front of Mehmet Topal, ran across the centre-back in the manner he perfected last season and succeeded in tangling with him sufficiently to earn a penalty.
Kane’s connection was strong and true but hit the outside of the post. But when Volkan Babacan clawed away a Gary Cahill header moments later, Vardy pounced to rifle in the rebound off the goalkeeper’s head.