England slump

Saturday, 10/10/2009

Rob Green became the first England keeper to be sent off as England crashed 1-0 in the Ukraine.
It was their first defeat after eight straight World Cup qualifying wins.
Ukraine missed the chance to go-ahead from the penalty spot after 13 minutes when Green brought down Milevskiy. Shevchenko missed the spot-kick.
But after 29 minutes a wickedly defected shot from Nazarenko that bounced off Ashley Cole caught out David James, brought on to replace Green at the expense of Aaron Lennon.

.The Republic of Ireland a guaranteed a World Cup qualifying play-off place but they came oh so close to beating current Champions Italy, a very late goal giving the visitors to Croke Park a 2-2 draw. The result ensured Italy go to South Africa.

. In other international games, Wales lost 2-1 in Finland and Scotland slumped 2-0 in Japan. Germany’s 1-0 victory in Russia sent them to the World Cup finals.

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