England back to winning ways
Wednesday, 8 September 2004
[1] A 58th-minute own goal from Polish defender Arkadiusz Glowacki handed England three important Group 6 points as Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side got their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track at the Slaski stadium.
Lead lost
[2] After conceding a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in Austria on Saturday, England returned to winning ways with a narrow victory in Chorzow that moved Eriksson's side level with Austria on four points at the top of the section.
Goalkeeping change
[3] Eriksson made two changes from the Austria game, Paul Robinson replacing David James to make his first competitive start in goal and Jermain Defoe coming in for Alan Smith up front. With Piotr Wlodarczyk suspended, Pawel Janas introduced Kamil Kosowski and Grzegorz Rasiak, Marek Zienczuk also making way.
England on top
[4] Both sides began positively but it was the visitors who looked the more likely scorers, with Frank Lampard putting a free header over in the seventh minute. Midway through the half, Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge combined to fashion a chance for Defoe, but the striker sliced wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Near misses
[5] Cole and Bridge linked up again minutes later with Beckham prodding the latter's cross just past the post, before Poland carved out several clear chances of their own, with Gary Neville called upon to clear Jacek Krzynówek's shot off the line.
Fine finish
[6] Eight minutes before the interval, England broke the deadlock with a typically opportunistic strike from Defoe. Beckham's free-kick was cleared but the ball broke back to the England captain, who touched inside to Defoe. The striker turned brilliantly past Glowacki and shot into the corner, giving Dudek no chance and scoring his first international goal.
Early equaliser
[7] Although Sebastian Mila failed to convert two chances just before the interval, Poland drew level three minutes after the restart with another fine finish. Kosowski was given too much space in midfield and picked his pass brilliantly, finding Zurawski with space on the edge of the area and the striker duly curled his shot into the top left-hand corner.
Own goal
[8] England reacted well to the equaliser and regained the lead two minutes before the hour. Steven Gerrard's pass freed Cole on the left and the left-back's low cross was turned past his own goalkeeper by Glowacki under pressure from Owen at the near post. Beckham and Owen might have made the margin of victory more comfortable, but England go into their next match, against Wales at Old Trafford on 9 October, in good heart. Poland visit Austria the same day.
Michael Owen celebrates the own goal which put England 2-1 ahead