Manchester, Sept 12: England beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in Euro 2004 qualifier after slow start. Michael Owen and teenage strike partner Wayne Rooney fired England to the top Euro 2004 qualifying Group Seven with a 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein at Old Trafford on Wednesday (September 10). England hit the bar twice in a goalless first half before Steven Gerrard set up Owen and the outstanding Rooney for two clinical strikes within seven minutes of the restart. The win gave England 19 points, one more than Turkey, who they face in a decisive final game in Istanbul on October 11 -- requiring only a draw to qualify for next year's tournament.

The result also gave Sven-Goran Eriksson a record eighth consecutive victory as England manager, eclipsing Alf Ramsey's mark. Captain David Beckham, back at Old Trafford after his July move to Real Madrid, was far less incisive than usual, most likely due to being a yellow card away from a suspension that would rule him out of the Turkey game.


But Beckham, like 17-year-old Rooney, was still given a standing ovation when he was replaced after the hosts went 2-0 ahead. Rooney, who became England's youngest scorer in last Saturday's 2-1 victory in Macedonia, was their best player in Manchester, creating chances in a playmaking role behind the strikers but also tackling with real aggression.


Though the winning margin should have been bigger, England at least achieved their objective, a better chance of qualifying in Istanbul against the World Cup semi-finalists.


After a scare in the first minute when Mario Frick fired over the England goal, England came close to taking the lead when Rooney's cross found Beckham whose shot rebounded off the bar.


Two mintues before the break, England again struck the woodwork when James Beattie smacked a Beckham chip from the right onto the bar. A goal was on the cards and it arrived within seconds of the restart when Gerrard whipped in a cross and his Liverpool team mate Owen provided a perfect glancing header.


Owen's 24th goal for his country put him level with Geoff Hurst as England's 11th all-time top scorer. England, who also won 2-0 in Vaduz, then sealed the points when Beckham crossed from the right for Gerrard at the far post and Rooney rifled home the midfielder's knockdown.


It was the teenager's second goal in only his seventh England appearance and fourth start for his country. Eriksson then made his substitutions, also pulling off Gerrard, who like Beckham was a caution away from a ban, and the hosts sat on their lead.


Beattie was unlucky again not to score, while at the other end Mario Frick left it until the closing minutes to force England keeper David James's only save of the night.


Teams: England: 1-David James; 2-Gary Neville, 5-John Terry, 6-Matthew Upson, 3-Wayne Bridge; 7-David Beckham (capt) (12-Phil Neville 58), 4-Steven Gerrard (15-Owen Hargreaves 58), 8-Frank Lampard; 9-Wayne Rooney (17-Joe Cole 69), 11-James Beattie, 10-Michael Owen



Liechtenstein: 1-Peter Jehle; 2-Martin Telser, 3-Michael Stocklasa (14-Sandro Maierhofer 45), 4-Daniel Hasler (capt), 5-Christof Ritter; 6-Martin Stocklasa, 11-Franz Burgmeier, 8-Andreas Gerster; 7-Roger Beck (16-Thomas Beck 57); 9-Fabio D'Elia (17-Ronny Buchel 73); 10-Mario Frick Referee: Knud Erik Fisker (Denmark)


Group 7 standings: P W D L F A Pts 1. England 7 6 1 0 14 5 19 2. Turkey 7 6 0 1 17 5 18 3. Slovakia 7 2 1 4 9 9 7 4. Macedonia 8 1 3 4 11 14 6 5. Liechtenstein 7 0 1 6 2 20 1


Remaining matches: October 11: Turkey v England Liechtenstein v Slovakia


Bureau Report