International Football 6 June 2009

England stroll to Almaty win

Kazakhstan 0 England 4 (Almaty 6 June 2009)
England bagged another 3 points with an easy win in Kazakhstan. The hosts almost took an early lead when a low cross in the first minute found England wanting, but John Terry scrambled the ball away to safety. An Ostapenko header in the 17th minute was disallowed for offside and Heskey's 29th minute angled shot from inside the box came off the post, but the deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when a short taken corner was crossed onto the head of Gareth Barry who nodded the ball back across goal to find the corner of the net. England doubled their lead just before the break when Gerrard's deflected long cross found Makin off his line and flapping to keep the ball out but presenting Heskey with a simple tap in. In the 72nd minute Mokin saved brilliantly from Rooney who turned in the rebound with a spectacular volley and after the keeper had made another good save to deny Cole, a penalty was awarded for a tug on Heskey in the 76th minute giving Lampard the opportunity to smash home from the spot and seal a comfortable win for England.

Rooney on target for England

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa thanks to a 9th minute Okazaki goal in Uzbekistan. They were later joined by Australia who drew 0-0 in Qatar, and South Korea who defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in Dubai.
A 2-1 win for the Netherlands in Iceland may not seem significant, but it was enough give the Dutch the first European spot in South Africa.
In other matches Thomas Kahlenberg ruined Sweden's national day celebrations in Stockholm with the only goal of the match midway through the first half, after Thomas Sorensen had saved a penalty for the Danes, and a late goal from Bruno Alves gave Portugal a lifeline with a 2-1 win in Albania. A 7th minute penalty scored by Nenad Milijas for Serbia at home to Austria strengthened their position in group 7 while in group 8 Ireland gained a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria, and Croatia shared 4 goals with Ukraine in Zagreb to end the day 7 points behind England.
Brazil demolished Uruguay 4-0 in Montevideo to lead the South American group, replacing Paraguay who found Chile too hot to handle as the visitors recorded a 2-0 victory. Argentina managed a1-0 win against Colombia in Buenos Aires while Bolivia self-destructed with an own goal and 2 dismissals at home to Venezuela.
In North America Mexico slipped deeper into trouble losing 2-1 in El Salvador while Costa Rica gained a 3-2 win away to Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA overcame Honduras 2-1 in Chicago.
In Africa the result of the day belonged to Gabon who put 3 past Togo without reply.