Netherlands rally to sink Austria published: Thursday | March 27, 2008
England's David Beckham in action during the friendly match against France at Stade de France in Saint Denis yesterday. It was Beckham's 100th appearance for England. - AP
LONDON (AP):
THE NETHERLANDS rallied to beat Austria 4-3 yesterday, and David Beckham made his 100th international appearance in England's 1-0 loss at France in two of the friendlies involving the 16 European Championship teams.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 86th minute, as the Dutch rallied from a three-goal deficit at Austria.
Defending champions Greece, Germany, Spain and Romania also won, while the Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey played to draws, and Italy, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Portugal and Switzerland lost.
Austria were leading 3-0 in Vienna off two goals from Sebastian Prodl and another from Andreas Ivanschitz. But Huntelaar started the comeback in the 38th, with John Heitinga and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also scoring to make it 3-3.
Errors
"We got 3-0 behind due to personal errors by our defenders, not because we were outplayed by Austria," Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said. "But I was a bit surprised by their attacking and quick play in the opening 30 minutes."
Sweden lost to Brazil 1-0 in a rematch of the 1958 World Cup final that was held in London. Alexandre Pato scored in the 72nd minute, helped by a major blunder from substitute Sweden goalkeeper Rami Shaaban.
"Pato has the style of Ronaldo, although he's a bit more timid," Brazil coach Dunga said of the 18-year-old striker.
Both sides were missing their top players. Brazil were without both Kaka and Ronaldinho, and Sweden were missing Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mario Gomez helped his chances of making the Germany squad for Euro 2008 with two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Switzerland.
Line-up
Gomez, who is fighting for a place in Germany's starting line-up, set up Miroslav Klose for the first goal in the 23rd and scored in the 61st and 67th minutes in Basel, Switzerland. Lukas Podolski added the fourth in injury time.
With England failing to qualify for the European Championship, the team hoped for a win to mark Beckham's 100th appearance for his national team.
But Franck Ribery scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after England goalkeeper David James had raced off his line to foul Nicolas Anelka.
"I was happy to start the game, but it was more about getting on the pitch, getting that 100th cap," Beckham said.
While France readies for Euro 2008, England coach Fabio Capello is trying to build a team capable of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. But his team failed to adapt to the shape he wanted and did little to worry France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
Spain beat World Cup champions Italy 1-0 with a 78th-minute volley from David Villa.
The Valencia striker met Fabio Cannavaro's headed clearance just inside the area and curled his shot past outstretched goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon into the top left of goal.
Defending European champions Greece maintained their 12-year unbeaten streak over Portugal with a 2-1 win in Duesseldorf, Germany. It was the first time the two countries had played since the final of the 2004 European Championship, which Greece won 1-0.
Georgios Karagounis scored both goals, curling a shot from the edge of the area over the wall in the 33rd and producing a similar goal in the 60th. Nuno Gomes pulled one back in the 75th for Portugal, which was missing injured midfield playmakers Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco.
Poland lost 3-0 to the United States, who got goals from Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu and Eddie Lewis. Poland are preparing for their first European Championship.
Croatia, who finished ahead of England in Euro 2008 qualifying, were held to a 1-1 draw by Scotland.
Croatia took the lead in the 10th when Niko Kranjcar scored with a long-range shot after taking a throw-in from Luka Modric, while Scotland levelled in the 30th through Kenny Miller.
Romania showed their potential when they beat Russia 3-0 in Bucharest off goals from Ciprian Marica, Daniel Niculae and Marius Niculae.
Turkey drew 2-2 at Belarus, needing a 71st-minute equaliser from Tumer Metin.
Jan Koller scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for the Czech Republic against Denmark. Koller, the all-time leading Czech scorer, headed in the equaliser in the 42nd off a cross from Libor Sionko.
Nicklas Bendtner had put the Danes ahead in the 25th.
Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 in Cairo off goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso, and Mexico rallied to beat Ghana 2-1 in London.
Netherlands rally to sink Austria
published: Thursday | March 27, 2008
England's David Beckham in action during the friendly match against France at Stade de France in Saint Denis yesterday. It was Beckham's 100th appearance for England. - AP
LONDON (AP):
THE NETHERLANDS rallied to beat Austria 4-3 yesterday, and David Beckham made his 100th international appearance in England's 1-0 loss at France in two of the friendlies involving the 16 European Championship teams.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 86th minute, as the Dutch rallied from a three-goal deficit at Austria.
Defending champions Greece, Germany, Spain and Romania also won, while the Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey played to draws, and Italy, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Portugal and Switzerland lost.
Austria were leading 3-0 in Vienna off two goals from Sebastian Prodl and another from Andreas Ivanschitz. But Huntelaar started the comeback in the 38th, with John Heitinga and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also scoring to make it 3-3.
Errors
"We got 3-0 behind due to personal errors by our defenders, not because we were outplayed by Austria," Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said. "But I was a bit surprised by their attacking and quick play in the opening 30 minutes."
Sweden lost to Brazil 1-0 in a rematch of the 1958 World Cup final that was held in London. Alexandre Pato scored in the 72nd minute, helped by a major blunder from substitute Sweden goalkeeper Rami Shaaban.
"Pato has the style of Ronaldo, although he's a bit more timid," Brazil coach Dunga said of the 18-year-old striker.
Both sides were missing their top players. Brazil were without both Kaka and Ronaldinho, and Sweden were missing Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mario Gomez helped his chances of making the Germany squad for Euro 2008 with two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Switzerland.
Line-up
Gomez, who is fighting for a place in Germany's starting line-up, set up Miroslav Klose for the first goal in the 23rd and scored in the 61st and 67th minutes in Basel, Switzerland. Lukas Podolski added the fourth in injury time.
With England failing to qualify for the European Championship, the team hoped for a win to mark Beckham's 100th appearance for his national team.
But Franck Ribery scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after England goalkeeper David James had raced off his line to foul Nicolas Anelka.
"I was happy to start the game, but it was more about getting on the pitch, getting that 100th cap," Beckham said.
While France readies for Euro 2008, England coach Fabio Capello is trying to build a team capable of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. But his team failed to adapt to the shape he wanted and did little to worry France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
Spain beat World Cup champions Italy 1-0 with a 78th-minute volley from David Villa.
The Valencia striker met Fabio Cannavaro's headed clearance just inside the area and curled his shot past outstretched goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon into the top left of goal.
Defending European champions Greece maintained their 12-year unbeaten streak over Portugal with a 2-1 win in Duesseldorf, Germany. It was the first time the two countries had played since the final of the 2004 European Championship, which Greece won 1-0.
Georgios Karagounis scored both goals, curling a shot from the edge of the area over the wall in the 33rd and producing a similar goal in the 60th. Nuno Gomes pulled one back in the 75th for Portugal, which was missing injured midfield playmakers Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco.
Poland lost 3-0 to the United States, who got goals from Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu and Eddie Lewis. Poland are preparing for their first European Championship.
Croatia, who finished ahead of England in Euro 2008 qualifying, were held to a 1-1 draw by Scotland.
Croatia took the lead in the 10th when Niko Kranjcar scored with a long-range shot after taking a throw-in from Luka Modric, while Scotland levelled in the 30th through Kenny Miller.
Romania showed their potential when they beat Russia 3-0 in Bucharest off goals from Ciprian Marica, Daniel Niculae and Marius Niculae.
Turkey drew 2-2 at Belarus, needing a 71st-minute equaliser from Tumer Metin.
Jan Koller scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for the Czech Republic against Denmark. Koller, the all-time leading Czech scorer, headed in the equaliser in the 42nd off a cross from Libor Sionko.
Nicklas Bendtner had put the Danes ahead in the 25th.
Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 in Cairo off goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso, and Mexico rallied to beat Ghana 2-1 in London.