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England have put themselves in the drivign seat for
qualification from group F in the World Cup with a
1-0 win over Argentina thanks to a first half
Beckham penalty won by Michael Owen.
Seaman Cole and Campbell all played the full 90 minutes.
Ashley Cole had some dodgy moments in the first half,
perhaps deserving more than just the one booking. But
following his booking Argentina failed to put him
under as much pressure down that wing again. Perhaps having
Sinclair in front of him helped, it seems
likely that Eriksson will stick with that pairing on
the left.
Campbell did ok, but was somewhat overshadowed by the superb
performance of Rio Ferdinand.
But Seaman was awesome in goal and surely will have silenced
the detractors who have said his time at this level has passed.
He made some great saves, kept the defence organised through a
noghtmare last 20 minutes of incessant pressure and got the ball
whenever he came for it. Not as spectacular a goalkeeping
display as some keepers have put in already in this World Cup,
but it's the way you don't notice him so much that makes
Seaman so good. Many attacks were snuffed out by his
positioing and awareness, when with a less secure pair
of hands between the sticks danger situations would have
developed.
England now need just a draw to progress, and a win would
probably see them top the group.
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