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Published: 30 March 2011
by JOHN EVANS

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY AT WEMBLEY STADIUM
ENGLAND 1 GHANA 1
Attendance: 80,102

THERE was singing and dancing down Olympic Way after England’s latest international match, which Fabio Capello termed “not a friendly” because of the fierce commitment shown by both sides.

But it was not the home supporters celebrating a second win within a week following success in the Euro qualifier against Wales in Cardiff at the weekend.

It was the exuberant Ghana supporters who had seen their team secure a historic 1-1 draw in their first international against England with a dramatic equaliser from Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan on 90 minutes.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll had given the home side the lead just before half time after a pinpoint long ball from the lively Ashley Young had been touched on in front of goal by Man of the Match Stewart Downing. He neatly put Carroll clear to his left and keeper Richard Kingson was wrong-footed as the striker found the far corner of the net for his first senior international goal.

Captain for the day Gareth Barry, not even on the bench for the qualifier against Wales, described his team as “inexperienced” but the crowd of 80,102 enjoyed a fine competitive encounter with real edge despite criticisisms before kick-off that they had been short-changed with the selection of a second-string side.

Manager Capello was perhaps fortunate to be able to praise each of his team as “important players” for their part in a “a really really good game, a fast game”. He said: “I think it was an exciting game and it’s a really important game for the fans, you know, and players who have never played here. This friendly game was the moment to see the value of these young players. Wembley is a different pitch – not a normal pitch.”

There were seven changes from the weekend’s starting line-up.

Gary Cahill made his first full international start; debutant Matthew Jarvis came on for Jack Wilshere, who again had a fine match, on 69 minutes; and Danny Welbeck also made his debut as a substitute, coming on for Young on 81 minutes. Welbeck was a surprise choice by Capello, called up to replace the injured Aaron Lennon at the last minute, but the manager dismissed reports that the Manchester-born son of Ghanaian parents had been picked just to thwart possible approaches by Ghana.

There were solid performances all round from England, yet throughout they were challenged by the speed and athleticism of the African team.

Notably Dominic Adiyiah brought two fine first-half saves from keeper Joe Hart.

With an open game and good chances at both ends, perhaps the best fell to Young who lofted a shot from a good position on nine minutes, had a decent effort well saved by Blackpool’s Kingson five minutes later and hit the bar 10 minutes after that when it seemed easier to score from a crisp cross by James Milner .

The Ghana coach, Serb Goran Stavanovic, praised his side for their improved passing in the second half and the chances continued to come. Barry deflected a John Pantsil effort over the top after some messy England defending.

Substitute Joleon Lescott, who came on at half time struggled against the pace and determination of Gyan.

It was fitting that it was Gyan who took the ball as three minutes’ added time was signalled, deftly sent Lescott the wrong way and slid the ball into the net past an outstretched Hart

The “Black Stars’” fans went wild with delight as their team secure a well-deserved result.

England: Hart, Johnson (Lescott 46), Baines, Barry, Cahill, Jagielka, Milner, Wilshere (Jarvis 69), Carroll (Defoe 59), Young (Welbeck 81), Downing.
Scorers: England: Carroll 43; Ghana: Gyan 90 +1