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| |  Saturday, 1 September, 2001, 20:31 GMT 21:31 UK Five-star England BBC Sport's Alan Hansen marvels at England's 5-1 demolition of Germany. What a performance! England were absolutely magnificent. To go one goal down against Germany, in this stadium, and come back and score five goals was awesome. Each and every one of the players was superb and they deserve all the plaudits they'll get over the next few days. By coming back from such an awful start, England showed that they have got great character and togetherness. And it was an awful start. England defended badly, gave the ball away too easily and looked liable to concede every time the Germans came forward.
Jancker, who was ridiculed by the English press before the game, was giving Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand real problems. He was the man who got the goal after England's two central defenders left him free in the middle of the box. Believe me, it's a long way back from 1-0 down in the Olympic Stadium in Munich. You've got to be mentally strong and England were. They dug in and started to keep the ball and control the game. And that man Owen! He's got such fantastic confidence at the moment. When he got his chances, I never had any doubt that he would score. In the end England were toying with the Germans. There was one little cameo when Gerrard took the ball round his Liverpool colleague Hamann not once but twice. I don't know if Hamann will be too happy with Gerrard when they meet up for training on Friday! You cannot overestimate the belief and confidence that this result will give England. They've got the nucleus of a truly great side. You've for Owen's pace and finishing ability up front.
In the centre you've got Gerrard, who is so athletic and tenacious yet also has excellent technique. And despite their early problems, Ferdinand and Campbell came through well and they are a capable central-defensive partnership. If England can fill in the gaps round those players, they could have a side capable of winning the World Cup. I wouldn't count against them doing just that after this outstanding performance.. | |
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