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AUSTRIA 0 ENGLAND 1 - MATCH REPORT - CROUCH GIVES VICTORY
Peter Crouch's first-half header gave England a 1-0 friendly win over Austria in Vienna.
Michael Owen had been responsible for England's first shot on target before going off with a thigh injury which will keep him out of the Croatia game.
The Newcastle forward saw his slick effort which involved Steven Gerrard and Crouch superbly tipped over by Alex Manninger.
The former Arsenal keeper was only on the pitch due to a nasty, but accidental, collision involving Crouch that left Austria's first-choice Jurgen Macho flat out.
Macho was unconscious as he hit the deck after connecting with Crouch's shoulder as the pair tried to intercept David Beckham's angled ball into the box.
There were also reports Macho had swallowed his tongue, although happily the former Sunderland man appeared to be okay as he was stretchered off.
Owen's exit heralded the introduction of Jermain Defoe for one of his rare appearances and the Tottenham man must now have a good chance of starting next week.
Defoe's arrival worked to the extent that he was heavily involved in England's opener, albeit in a somewhat passive capacity as he stood directly in front of Manninger then moved out of the way at the last moment to allow Crouch's downward header to bounce in.
It was an unexpected breakthrough in the sense England had created hardly anything previously, Owen apart, despite being the better of two average teams.
Austria did little to counter their present lowly FIFA ranking of 88, just behind Zimbabwe, but England's struggles also undermined McClaren's argument that after eight difficult months at the start of his reign, the last six have seen a major improvement.
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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