Rooney Bags Two As England Run Out 5-1 Winners Over Kazakhstan

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates as Kazakhstan's Alexandr Kuchma reacts with teammate Yuriy Logvinenko after scoring an own goal during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Wembley Stadium October 11, 2008.

Wayne Rooney struck twice as England went through a stiff test before beating Kazakhstan 5-1 in their World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Saturday. A goalless first 52 minutes prompted restlessness from the crowd but England ultimately ran riot with a late rally.

Stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and an own goal by Alexandr Kuchma (62), two from Wayne Rooney (76 and 86) and a last-minute strike by substitute Jermain Defoe gave Fabio Capello's side their third successive win in the qualifying campaign.

It was the first time for England to score five goals in a World Cup match since Sven Goran Eriksson's side dismantled Germany on route to the 2002 World Cup finals. There was an added bonus when Group 6 rivals Ukraine and Croatia battled out a goalless draw.

Kazakhstan have now lost three games in a row following last month's defeats by Croatia and Ukraine. However, it was not a comfortable night for Capello and his side as the score line suggested. A spirited display from the visitors saw England jeered off at half-time before Capello introduced Shaun Wright-Phillips for Barry in a bid to inject some more dynamism.

Wright-Phillips had a shot turned behind for a corner and from the resulting set-piece, Ferdinand climbed highest to nod into the net.

England doubled their advantage as Kuchma headed a Frank Lampard free kick into his own net but sloppy play from Ashley Cole gifted Zhambyl Kukeyev a reply in the 68th minutes, prompting boos from the stands. Capello went to Cole's defense after the match and pleaded with fans to be more patient in future.

"I didn't like the booing, especially as it was targeted at one player, it is always possible to make a mistake and after an error has been made we need to support the player, not the opposite. I ask the crowd, when we have problems you have to help us - booing is no good for anybody." he said.

I personally wont hold my breath waiting for England fans to be fair though !!

England had to wait until 14 minutes from time to make sure of the win, with Rooney heading Brown's right-wing cross past Alexandr Mokin.

David Beckham was given his 106th cap, level with Sir Bobby Charlton, when he replaced Theo Walcott on 79 minutes, receiving the loudest ovation of the night. The former England captain proved his value as his free-kick allowed Rooney to slot in his second of the match. There was still time for a brief glimpse of Defoe, on for Rooney, collected Emile Heskey's pass and fired into fired into the far corner to add gloss to the score line....Back To Home Page