England 2 - 1 Ukraine

April 8, 2009

As the FA premiership draws to a close and domestic rivalry being at its competitive peak, Capello’s men are assembled again at Wembley to take on a team they have seen more of at the Eurovision Song contest than in a football stadium. As kick-off drew closer so did the unity of the 85,000 fans waiting in anticipation for England’s latest attempt to rid the memory of the pain suffered at the hands of Croatia in 2007.

Since the Ukraine’s introduction to the world scene in 1992, England have only come up against them twice, being victorious on both occasions. However, this match up was never likely to be quite the training ground exercise that the previous two had proved to be.

The Ukrainian team of recent times, has definitely gained a reputation of being resolute and disciplined, a mentality instilled by current coach Alexiy Mikhailychenko. The pre-match line up echoed this, and few would have predicted with Andrei Shevchenko’s Premier League experience him be left on the bench for this make or break game. Left on the bench he was, although Capello’s striker selection was taken out of his hands by the mysterious curse which has been placed over England’s strikers this week.

The rest of the team however was relatively straightforward, playing a 4-4-2 with Lennon operating on the right and Gerrard in the middle supporting the front two wherever possible. Gareth Barry was playing his preferred role in the middle, which under Capello he seems to be thriving in, and playing against the team Kevin Keegan gave him his debut against in 2000.

Before the kick-off commenced a minute silence was observed for tragic occurrence in Africa. This silence was only marred late on by some idiot, who was subsequently booed by the gathered by the 85,000 strong Wembley crowd. After listening to the Ukrainian national anthem I was ever hopeful that England’s performance would at least, outperform the rendition.

The first 20 minutes were rather uneventful with one long ball punted forward to the oppositions defence to deal with, it was cagey to say the least, questions have to be asked if Crouch is going to start then why is Beckham not employed to use that magical right foot. Lennon was quite happy to run at the left back however his one-dimensional play only ever resulted in one thing, a less than acceptable final ball.

Rooney played like his usual effervescent self, chasing every ball, shouting at every player demanding the best from every attack. It seemed clear that the first 20 minutes were spent trying to quite literally ‘fit’ Peter Crouch into Capello’s way of playing.

Steven Gerrard came close on 25 minutes with a curling free kick, which slid past the right hand post and caused a despairing dive from Vycheslav. It appeared that the final touch of most the England players was eluding them just at the last moment, and a set play would probably prove the best form of attack, and on 29 minutes just as England fans were growing that little bit impatient, Crouch struck. Excellent work down the right from Gerrard, resulted in a corner which was swung in and headed on by Terry, Crouch swung one of those gangly legs and provided quite the accomplished finish to put England 1-0 up. Overall no complaints from the Ukraine.

This appeared to rally England before half time. Rooney not wanting to be outshone, pushed forward past two men, released a pin-point ball to Lennon on the right who returned the favour to Rooney who was steaming in for the return ball. He then connected too well if anything and blazed high over the bar.

The away fans were certainly enjoying the trip to Wembley, and even very sportingly took part in a Mexican wave which was being branded around the stands of Wembley, this was greeted by one of the biggest cheers of the night from the England fans.

The second half conjured up little more entertainment than the first half had offered, and with this you could sense the Ukrainian fans becoming louder and louder with almost an aura or expectancy concerning the equaliser. Everything was too easy for England, but the second goal would be crucial. As Johnson wasted possession, a ball was put in from the left which James failed to deal with, warning signs were becoming ever visible. Shevchenko’s arrival in the 65th minute would only increase the panic beginning to set into England’s play.

This spurred Capello into his first substitution, bringing on David Beckham for the mostly ineffective Aaron Lennon. Beckham was greeted with a huge standing ovation for his 110th England cap. His introduction as ever prompted a lift within the squad, Beckham chasing balls down and demanding the ball to his feet. His first action was to give the ball to Wayne Rooney who desperate to continue hi stunning form for England danced past 3 Ukrainian players and dropped his shoulder at the last and fizzed a shot past the left goal past

It wasn’t until 74 minutes, when the Ukraine fashioned their first chance, after Barry decided to join in this new fashion of giving the ball away, and Johnson had been needlessly booked for time-wasting, a foul was given deep into the England half which was whipped into the England penalty area. Its failure to be dealt with by terry and a inexplicable hesitation from Johnson presented none other than Shevchenko the simple task of poking past David James, hapless in the England goal. It was almost inevitable that after two years of virtual obscurity in the blue of Chelsea, Shevchenko was going to do something to remind us all of his once £30million value.

Wembley all of a sudden had a eerie silence, with the only noise being generated in the away stand. Ukraine were suddenly playing with a renewed vigour sensing blood and the second goal which could very well have destroyed England’s 100% record in group 6. However what McLaren failed to do as England coach, Capello has been able to achieve. This being the confidence and belief in their own ability twinned with the capability of turning an average performance into 3 valuable points.

With instruction from an ever animated Capello from the bench to continue forward and look for the winning goal, the introduction of Shaun-Wright Phillips with his pace and tenacity further indicationedFabio Capello’s ambition.

With arguably the best right foot in world football, it was only fair David Beckham swung the cross in the 84th minute with curl and dip onto the head of Gerrard who nodded back across goal, and finally a grateful John Terry there to turn in the England winner to the delight of the England faithful. Subsequently earning the official man of the match, much to the bemusement of the crowd, it would have been much more deserved by either Gerrard or even more so Rooney who never stopped running and caused constant threat to the Ukrainian backline.

Perhaps the only concern for England was the lack of opportunity created via open play, without Heskey, Bent and Cole, that linking centre forward play appeared to be glaringly obvious. Very much a case for Michael Owen to shape up and show Fabio just what he is capable of, Beckham has done it exceptionally well so why cant Owen, the question is does he still have the desire and more importantly the commitment? Beckham moved to Milan, Owen must now look at his future very closely.

Gone are the days of dismal dire displays of the McClaren past, they have been replaced with performances of a strong and hungry nature that this England have regained. If anything maybe Steve McClaren has done us all a favour by making this current crop of talented England players experience just how painful failing to qualify actually can be. Capello has brought that determination and grit that has been clearly missing for some time now, and created a team that seems incredibly hard to beat so well done Mr Capello.

Overall not the best performance, a game never likely to be remembered as a classic but another huge step towards qualification and continues that excellent 100% record.

by Ryan Gladding

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