Sunday, May 22, 2016
England's Euro 2016 preparations got off to the perfect start in Manchester as Roy Hodgson's men secured a 2-1 victory over Turkey, with goals from striker pair Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.
Kane scored an offside goal which was not disallowed to take the lead inside the opening stages, but Hakan Calhanoglu pulled the tie level after 13 minutes. The Spurs striker then missed a penalty as the Three Lions struggled to break down a resilient Crescent-Stars side, who themselves were lacking some key players.
However, the Three Lions' preparations got back on track when Vardy rifled in a close range shot to keep up his run of scoring in three consecutive international games.
Kane scored within moments of kick-off, as the hosts started in electrifying style.
Jamie Vardy had a chance to open the scoring inside the first minute, but he failed to connect with his striker partner's through pass, but the Spurs striker did put the ball in the back of the net from the following move.
Raheem Sterling ran infield from the right wing, passing towards Dele Alli on the edge of the box. The youngster controlled and played the ball forward in a flash, showing remarkable skill, and Kane was in acres of space to easily convert into the bottom corner - although replays showed that the Spurs striker was clearly offside.
Despite going behind, and having never scored a goal against England before in 10 games, Turkey were not fearing their opponents.
Cenk Tosun, who was a constant thorn in the Three Lions' defence, registered their first shot of the night, making space on the left side of the box and firing towards the near post which Joe Hart had to dive low to keep out.
With the visitors attacking fearlessly, they took the lead just 10 minutes after England's opener, Calhanoglu converting from close range after some dodgy defending and goalkeeping from Danny Rose and Hart respectively.
The ball was played down right side of the box, with Rose caught out of position high up the pitch. Volkan Sen beat the onrushing Hart to the ball and crossed it in, and Leverkusen man Calhanoglu was there to prod home beyond defensive duo Gary Cahill and Joe Hart.
It was no less than Turkey deserved, and they started to show more composure with the ball, controlling possession well and probing the England back-line.
However, clear cut chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, as both teams struggled to break down deep defences.
Jack Wilshere and Harry Kane had low attempts easily saved by Babacan in the Turkey goal, while Eric Dier and Mehmet Topal each had opportunities from set-pieces which they headed over.
The half ended with no further chances, and England looked to retake the lead as soon as they came out in the second period.
Hodgson's men broke with pace from kick-off, and after a strong attack Alli forced a save from Babacan with a long range shot which deflected kindly for the keeper.
The Three Lions were looking more incisive than they had earlier in the game, and Kane managed to put the ball in the back of the net just five minutes in, although he was correctly called offside.
However, as in the first half, Turkey weathered the storm and grew into the game, managing a few good chances of their own.
The impressive Tosun headed wide from a corner, before he unfortunately saw his shot on the turn flash wide of Hart’s goal with the Manchester City star flailing as failed to get anywhere near the ball.
The hosts were presented the biggest chance of the period when Vardy went down in the box under pressure from Topal. Kane stepped up and confidently smashed the spot-kick with power, but it flashed off the left-hand post and went wide.
But the Spurs star's blushes were spared eight minutes from time, when livewire Vardy secured the win from a yard out, smashing the ball home after Babacan had failed to clear Cahill's powerful headed chance.
A late onslaugh from the visitors was dealt with, Hart making an excellent save to keep England ahead as the defence fell asleep, but Hodgson will be delighted that his team came through their first pre-tournament friendly with a victory - even if it was not the most convincing display.
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