England registered a comfortable 2-1 win over Australia last night further instilling the belief in their supporters of a good show at this summer’s Euro 2016. Marcus Rashford was in the headlines yet again by scoring only after 135 seconds on his International debut.
Rashford’s goal was then followed by a Wayne Rooney’s pile driver to seal the win for Three Lions. A late own goal from Eric Dier did make the things a bit nervy, but England held on to register their 4th win in last six International friendlies.
Roy Hodgson made drastic changes to his set up last night by giving starts to Fraser Forster, Ryan Bertrand, Nathaniel Clyne and Jordan Henderson, while the likes of Dele Alli, Ross Barkley and Harry Kane sat this one out.
England manager was mainly concerned with chopping his squad down to 23. Regardless of what he thinks of the others, Rashford has now become indispensable specially after his mature showing on his International debut.
It seems like nothing fazed him getting his first senior cap and he kept playing as if it was an Under-21 game and all he had to do was make runs and sense other players’ movements.
While he was exceptional, Andres Townsend and Jack Wilshere had a tough night to deal with and could be in line to get the axe next week.
One decision from Hodgson that has got fans worried is to pick only 7 defenders for the Euros. One popular belief around England’s camp is that Eric Dier could fill in that role, but last night was not a good indicator.
Dier came on to replace Chris Smalling on 78th minute and moments later, he headed in a cross inside his own goal rather than kicking it away. His error in judgement sent Hodgson fuming on the touchlines and perhaps regret his decision to go with only 7 defenders.
These are the kind of moments of self-destruction which England have been culprit of in the past. If there is indeed a new time in English football then Roy Hodgson and his team must eradicate these little errors from their game and prove themselves as a worthy candidate to lift the Euro 2016 trophy in France in about a month’s time from now.
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