The tube strike that brought London to a walking pace didn't deter the
57,857 England fans who some how made the journey down.
Almost 43 years to the day the World Cup winning team walked up those
steps in our finest moment. Tonight the squad was honoured as the
remaining England squad members received a replica medal. Bobby Moore
would have been proud as the forgotten heros including Ron Flowers,
Peter Bonetti, Norman Hunter and Jimmy Greaves were paraded in front
of the Wembley crowd at half time. England legends everyone of them.
It was a shame that Sir Alf couldnt be here but members of his family
were.
Tonight a win will almost ensure qualification. Listening to
Capello before he stressed that we were here to win and there could be
no execuses.
Wearing our finest kit building on tradition and quality, the loudest cheer is reserved for David Beckham the most capped out field player and one who is proud to play for his country.
With every game Becks gets closest to Shilts total and I for one hope he does it.On the bench tonite is Gary Neville for the first time in two years hoping he will win his 86th cap. To me it shows we lack strength in depth. Would Peter Crouch with 33 caps have made the 1966 squad? Oh for a young Jimmy Greaves who was the scorer of Englands 100th goal at Wembley. Geoff Hurst scored the 200th goal. Frank Lampard the 500th. A long way since Billy Walker scored the first in 1924, only 37,250 fans were there to see it.
Back to tonight, everywhere in the stadium fans wear the new and old
three lions and the stadium is decked out in St George flags flying in
the evening breeze. Coventry as usual is represented.
As kick off aproaches the atmosphere continues to build. Yesterdays
England songs are played and you know the kick off is close.
The flags of both countries are presented to the crowd.
The players walk out to a 2/3 full stadium and the noise is muted. As
one every fan stands to sing God Save the Queen. As I've said before
to his credit Fabio Capello has taken England to a new level and there
is an air of confidence all around.
Cameras and mobile phones flash and fans at both ends raise the flag
of St George.
The teams shake hands and John Terry gives last minute instructions.
England have yet to concede a goal against Andorra in three matches.
With a population of only 70,000 and a football team that was only
established in 1994 they have won only one competitive match!
England win the toss and kick off. In the 3rd minute England go one nil up two goals follow and it isn't until the 23rd minute when Robert Green gets his first touch.
On the 80 minute Crouch scored Englands 6th and fans started to leave
the arena. Becks was outstanding and deserved to score.
Happy days