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Holland 1 ( Kluivert 26 ) v ENGLAND 1 ( Vassell 61 ) World Cup football home page _________________________________________________________________________ This friendly between England and Holland took place on Wednesday 13 February 2002 at the Ajax Stadium in Holland at 7.30pm GMT in front of 42,000 people. Please click here for the full squad and preview. The team that played in the match is shown below: The England team was: Martyn James (45) G Neville Ferdinand Campbell Wayne Brisge (P Neville 77) (Southgate 45) Chris Powell (45) Beckham Gerrard Scholes Butt (77) Frank Lampard (77) Michael Ricketts Darius Vassell Heskey (Phillips 45) (Joe Cole 77) The Dutch team was Van der Sar, Ricksen, Reiziger, F de Boer (Paauwe 60), van Bronckhorst, van Bommel (Boateng 45), R de Boer (Sikora 58), Cocu (Davids 45), van Nistelrooy (Hasselbaink 64), Kluivert, Overmars (Makaay 96) England played a 4-3-3 formation for the first time under their manager Eriksson with Heskey playing a more attaking role on the left flank. Michael Owen had already pulled out of the squad through injury and there were new caps for Wayne Bridge, Michael Ricketts and Darius Vassell - unfortunately Ledley King, who had been picked for the squad for the first time, had to pull out earlier that day with a sore throat. Holland were not going to the World Cup as the Republic of Ireland had knocked them out already at the qualification group stage. Darius Vassell grabbed the headlines with a great goal in his first game to end the game at 1-1. England started well and Vassell had a good shot early on. Michael Ricketts then had a header on target from a cross by Wayne Bridge which the Dutch goalkeeper saved. On 26 minutes, however, Holland took the lead against the run of play. Sol Campbell and Ruud van Nistelroy (who was playing well for his team Manchester United at the time) challenged for Kluiverts knock forward - under pressure Campbell could only head the ball back up in the air and van Nistelroy headed it to Kluivert who shot from 12 yards. The ball deflected off Campbell's outstretched leg and looped over Martyn into the net. After taking the lead, the Dutch team grew in confidence, began to play well and had most of the ball. Ricketts and Vassell were losing the ball too much up front when they got it and Ricketts especially was having a hard time. Near half time, Reiziger nearly scored an own goal from a Neville cross and had Van der Sar to thank for making a good save. At the interval, Ricketts was replaced by Kevin Phillips up front, David James replaced Nigel Martyn in goal, Chris Powell replaced an injured Bridge at left back and Gareth Southgate came on for Campbell. England began the second half better than they ended the first half - Beckham had a free kick saved from the Dutch goalkeeper with a good dive to his right. A few minutes later Van der Sar saved at close range from a Phillips shot and then managed to block Beckham's shot from the rebound. Phillips then had a very good chance with a header unchallenged from under 6 yards out but the Dutch goalkeeper saved well again.  After 61 minutes, England scored. Beckham crossed from a forward position on the right hand side of the pitch. The ball was slightly behind Vassell but he launched himself at it and hooked it round with his right foot and the ball flew straight into the net. Later on in the game, Southgate got his head to a Beckham free kick but the ball hit the side netting. Vassell may have been offside when he scored his goal but England were happy to finish the game 1-1 after losing 2-0 the last time they played then last year. Rob Lee was the last person to score on their debut - some 8 years ago. Who played well: New boys Vassell and Bridge had solid performances and should get into the next squad. Beckham and Gerrard had great games again and Heskey held the ball up well in attack. Paul Scholes had a good in midfield and after this game Gareth Southgate showed that he has probably now risen up to the third choice central defender behind Ferdinand and Campbell. Who did not play well: Michael Ricketts and Kevin Phillips had 45 minutes each but neither played to the level that they do for their clubs - with so much competition up front from Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler, Teddy Sheringham, Darius Vassell, Alan Smith and Andy Cole, they will be lucky if they make the next squad. England's toughest opponents in their World Cup group are Argentina and they were in action against Wales on the same night. Wales managed a surprising 1-1 draw too on the night. |
