MANCHESTER, 27 March 2005 — England stormed to a 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Northern Ireland at Old Trafford yesterday as the Group Six leaders unleashed a second-half goal blitz.
Deadlocked at the break despite laying siege to the Northern Ireland goal, England scored four times in 17 minutes to leave their neighbors reeling.
Joe Cole, who produced a superb performance in his first competitive start, got things moving with a 47th minute strike. Michael Owen added the second five minutes later, an own goal by Northern Ireland defender Chris Baird after great work by Wayne Rooney made it 3-0 and Frank Lampard turned victory into a rout with a deflected shot after 62 minutes.
Victory ensured England stay top of the group and also provided an ideal way for manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to celebrate his 50th game in charge.
England have 13 points from five games, four clear of Poland, who play Azerbaijan later. Austria, 2-0 winners in Wales, are third on eight. England were made to wait for their victory over a side who have plummeted in the world rankings to 111th but whose keeper Maik Taylor was on inspired form in the first half.
Russia Hang On for 2-1 Win
Over Liechtenstein
In Vaduz, Russia held for a fortunate 2-1 win over Liechtenstein yesterday to stay in touch with the leaders in World Cup qualifying Group Three.
The visitors were cruising after two errors by Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle gifted goals to Alexander Kerzhakov and Andrei Karayka. Midfielder Karayka’s shot in the 37th minute from 18 meters went under Jehle’s body.
Thomas Beck pulled a goal back for Liechtenstein five minutes from the break with a free kick from outside the area and the home side gave as good as they got in the second half. Russia have 10 points from five games behind Slovakia and Portugal who have 13. Slovakia beat Estonia 2-1 in Tallinn yesterday.
Ljungberg Double Helps Sweden
Beat 10-Man Bulgaria
In Sofia, Sweden cruised to a 3-0 win over 10-man Bulgaria with two goals by Fredrik Ljungberg and another from Erik Edman in Group Eight qualifier.
Midfielder Ljungberg gave the visitors an early lead in the 17th minute and after Bulgaria defender Georgi Markov was sent off just before the hour mark the Swedes wrapped up the win.
The result means Sweden have extended their lead at the top of the standings to five points over Bulgaria and Croatia, who were playing Iceland.
The Swedes have 12 points from five games, Bulgaria are on seven from four and Croatia also have seven from three matches.
Ljungberg put Sweden ahead when he picked up a precise cross from Anders Svensson and curled an excellent shot into the bottom right-hand corner from 12 meter.
The home side, who created few chances, pressed forward in search of an equalizer but suffered a blow when defender Markov was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Defender Edman then scored Sweden’s second goal with an unstoppable 75th minute free kick before Ljungberg converted a penalty in the dying seconds after Bulgaria defender Elin Topuzakov pulled down substitute Marcus Allback.
Czech Republic Win 7-Goal
Thriller Against Finland
In Teplice, Czech Republic, a late goal from Vratislav Lokvenc handed the Czech Republic a thrilling 4-3 victory over Finland in their World Cup qualifier yesterday.
Finland had hit back from 3-1 down to level with 11 minutes left but Lokvenc struck with a powerful right-foot shot three minutes from time to hand the Czechs their fourth win from five Group 1 games.
Liverpool striker Milan Baros gave the hosts a flying start with a seventh-minute goal and looked to be cruising after midfielder Tomas Rosicky netted a second.
Veteran striker Jari Litmanen pulled one back at the start of the second half with a fine volley before Jan Polak turned in a cross from Rosicky to make it 3-1.
Frankowski Hits Hat Trick
as Poland Rout Azeris 8-0
In Warsaw, striker Tomasz Frankowski hit a hat trick as Poland crushed Azerbaijan 8-0 in their Group Six qualifier.
Poland remain second in the group on 12 points from five games, one point less than leaders England, who beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in Manchester earlier in the day.
Frankowski put Poland ahead in the 12th minute with a left-footed shot inside the near post after the Azeri defense failed to clear a cross from the right. The Poles led 3-0 at halftime after an own goal by Azeri defender Aftandil Hajiyev in the 16th minute and a strike from midfielder Kamil Kosowski in the 40th.
