England enjoy easy victory
02 Jun 2008 - 00:38:28
England strolled to a 3-0 friendly victory away to Trinidad & Tobago, with Jermain Defoe scoring twice after Gareth Barry grabbed the opener.
Fabio Capello handed the captain's armband to David Beckham, while West Ham United striker Dean Ashton won his first cap, having been injured before a friendly with Greece more than 18 months ago.
England began to dominate from the start and 12 minutes in they hit the front. Wayne Bridge found space down the left and his ball towards the near post was powered home from eight yards by the arriving Barry.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Defoe was allowed a free run in on goal and he slotted a left-foot shot across Clayton Ince into the far corner of the net.
The home side took more than half an hour to mount a threat, before a flowing move ended with sub Darryl Roberts forcing a save from David James with a 20-yard shot.
Defoe and Ashton spurned half-chances in the closing minutes of the first half, as England continued to call the shots.
Joe Hart and Phil Jagielka came on for their debuts at half-time and England extended their lead four minutes into the second period.
Another sub, David Bentley, swung in an excellent cross from the right and the ball fell back from the far post for Defoe to finish with ease from six yards.
Just before the hour Peter Crouch was left with time and space and his low shot was turned away for a corner by Ince.
Late on Theo Walcott raced clear but failed to beat Ince and soon after Aurtis Whitley wasted the home side's best chance of the game, lifting his shot over the top from right by the penalty spot.