Expectant England seek hat-trick of wins
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-13 11:28

England should complete a hat-trick of victories that will put them firmly on course for the 2006 World Cup in the qualifier in Azerbaijan.

England's soccer manager Sven Goran-Eriksson (C) gives a team talk at the start of training in Baku October 12, 2004. England will play Azerbaijan in their World Cup, European Zone, Group Six qualifier on October 13. [Reuters]

England started their Group Six campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw in Austria, after leading 2-0 in the second half, a result that sparked calls from a hostile media for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to be sacked.

The critics were silenced, though, by a gritty 2-1 victory in Poland and a comfortable 2-0 win over Wales on Saturday which left Eriksson's men top of the group with seven points, ahead of Poland (6pts) and Austria (4pts).

Against an Azerbaijan side with only two points on the board England should have little difficulty defending that lead -- and potentially extending it if Poland fail to beat the Welsh in Cardiff -- despite some injury woes.

Skipper David Beckham, who is also suspended, and Steven Gerrard are two heavyweight absentees from the midfield, with Shaun-Wright Phillips expected to replace the former and Nicky Butt the latter after his fine display against Wales.

England's soccer manager Sven Goran-Eriksson (C) holds his head as he watches his team warm up at the start of training in Baku October 12, 2004. England are due to play Azerbaijan in their World Cup, European Zone, Group Six qualifier on October 13. [Reuters]

Frank Lampard, who opened the scoring on Saturday, is sure to start while the remaining left-sided slot in a 4-4-2 midfield should be between Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves, depending on whether Eriksson wants an attack or defence-minded player.

Teenage striker Wayne Rooney, who made some thrilling runs from midfield in a playmaking role on Saturday, should partner Michael Owen up front.

However, Eriksson may yet stick by Saturday's three-man attack with Owen and Jermain Defoe supported by Rooney. Hargreaves would then come in for Beckham on the right.

ROONEY THREAT

A revelation at Euro 2004, Rooney is one of the hottest properties in international football and the 18-year-old can expect some tight marking in Baku.

England's soccer striker Michael Owen (L) and Wayne Rooney train in Baku October 12, 2004. England are due to play Azerbaijan in their World Cup, European Zone, Group Six qualifier on October 13. [Reuters]

Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto was quoted as telling media this week: "Rooney is an excellent player. He will be our big problem and we may need two or three players to look after him."

The Brazilian, who has no major injury or suspension worries following a 0-0 home draw with Northern Ireland on Saturday, is likely to keep the same starting line-up.

It remains to be seen whether the small country on the Caspian Sea can pose trouble for England on the pitch, although they are likely to cause problems for the British media with two players named Guliyev and three Gurbanovs in the squad.

Defenders Kamal Guliyev and Emin Guliyev formed the Azeri backline against the Northern Irish after being recalled following a lengthy absence.

Midfielder Makhmud Gurbanov also started Saturday's game, while strikers Ildar Gurbanov and Gurban Gurbanov came on in the second half. None of the five players are related.

Wednesday's probable teams:

Azerbaijan: Jahangir Hasanzade; Rafael Amirbekov, Aftandil Hajiyev, Emin Guliyev, Kamal Guliyev; Mahir Shukurov, Makhmud Gurbanov, Ismail Mamedov, Rashad Sadygov; Samir Aliyev, Nadir Nabiyev.

England: Paul Robinson; Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard, Nicky Butt, Owen Hargreaves; Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen

Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)

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