Many wouldn’t have guessed an injury-ravaged England team with morale at an all-time low would have beaten Israel 3-0 with relative ease. This is true even when it is taken into account the fact that Israel did not play to win but they simply defended like there is no tomorrow to grind out a goalless draw, a feat which they were able to pull off in the earlier encounter with England at home in Israel.
The goals came from Shaun Wright Phillips, Michael Owen, and Micah Richards. This victory is significant to England as firstly, it saved Steve McClaren’s job as England manager, for now at least. Secondly, it boosted the morale of the English team significantly and they couldn’t ask for more prior to another vital home game against Russia next Wednesday. Last but not least, a victory means that England obtained another 3 points and a step closer towards qualification to Euro 2008 which will be co-hosted in Switzerland and Austria. Also, this victory was also meaningful as it is the first victory of England in the new Wembley Stadium.
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