England edges past Australia in friendly as second-string squad faces tough challenge
Posted : 14 October 2023
England's manager, Gareth Southgate, fielded a second-string team in a friendly against Australia ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. Despite the significantly altered lineup, England managed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Australia at Wembley. Southgate acknowledged that the lack of international experience among the players made the match challenging, contributing to a less cohesive performance.
Southgate's second-string squad included players like Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori, Sam Johnstone, and Ollie Watkins. Aston Villa's inform striker, Watkins, scored the only goal of the game. Despite criticism from some observers regarding the team's performance, Southgate defended his players, attributing the challenge to the numerous changes made to the lineup. He also praised Australia's athleticism and organization.
Ollie Watkins, who made his debut, echoed Southgate's sentiments, emphasizing the lack of experience among the players but acknowledging the importance of such challenges. Overall, it was a tough game for England's less-experienced squad, but it provided them with valuable opportunities to play at the international level and gain experience.
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