FRIENDLY
STADIUM OF LIGHT
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND
27 MAY 2016
This is the second of three friendlies that have been carefully arranged to prepare the England national team with suitable warm up opponents to ensure we are victorious in the forthcoming European Championship in France.
22 May 16: England v Turkey (Etihad Stadium)
27 May 16: England v Australia (Stadium of Light)
2 Jun 16: England v Portugal (Wembley Stadium)
The Stadium of Light has played host to England on two previous occasions, a friendly against Belgium and a Qualifier for Euro 2004 against Turkey:
10 October 1999: England 2 v Belgium 1(40,897)
2 April 2003: England 2 v Turkey 0 (47,667)
We're in the East Stand for this International Friendly. Usually Away fans are located in the upper tier of the North Stand to the right of picture and the most vocal Sunderland support is in the South Stand to the left. The West (main) Stand is straight ahead.
The England End in the North Stand
England starting XI captained by Chris Smalling
England 2 Australia1
Attendance: 46,595
From the first minute there was nearly disaster when Jamie Maclaren almost charged down Fraser Forster's clearance in the area. Immediately after that, debutant Marcus Rashford released Raheem Sterling down the left and carried on his run. Sterling crosses the ball into the area and Rashford thrashes home on the half volley for his debut goal for England. The Socceroos made a real fight of it in the 1st half, going close through efforts that required some stout defending from John Stones and Chris Smalling. At the other end, on 25 minutes Adam Lallana had a shot blocked by Matt Ryan and the Ozzie keeper was on hand again to thwart Sterling after a great pass from Wilshere.
At half time England brought Wayne Rooney on and the attack started to look a lot sharper. On 55 minutes Sterling raced clear from midfield and provided a perfect square pass for Rooney, who fired passed the helpless Mathew Ryan and into the roof of the bulging net. Later on Rooney just failed to connect with a Marcus Rashford's through ball after a great team move. Shortly after this move Marcus Rashford was substituted to a standing ovation. Smalling was substituted in the 73rd minute for Eric Dier, but within 2 minutes of coming on he managed to head passed his own net whilst defending a cross under pressure from Tomi Juric. The goal was thoroughly deserved and the result was a true reflection of the game.
My digs at the April Guest House on St George's Terrace was just off the sea front at Roker and was great value.
My local guide is England and Sunderland legend Craig Mac
Roker Pier
Roker Pier lighthouse (1903)
The pier is 610m long
After the culture tour its down to the Roker Hotel
for the first beers of the day
Double Maxim is the tipple for me as it's the only
Brown Ale still brewed in the North East
Brown Ale still brewed in the North East
Next up is the 'Port of Call' in Sunderland, but as the Double Maxim kicks in I lose track of the other pubs we visit.
Dark clouds at the Stadium of Light
Bob Stokoe is unique in the North-East because he was loved by both Newcastle and Sunderland fans alike. He was in the Newcastle team that won the FA cup in 1955 and managed the Sunderland team that won the 1973 FA Cup final against Leeds United. He died in 2004 at the age of 73 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Main Stand
Leading out the teams
The Famous Howard Arms
The SoL with the East Stand in the foreground
Is this where Andy Jones used to live?
Davy lamp or Geordie lamp?
Gates to the Main Stand entrance
Statue to the Fans - The plaque is inscribed "All generations come together at the Stadium of Light. A love of "The Lads" has bonded together supporters for more than 125 years and will for many more years in the future. At Sunderland it is this statue to the fans that has pride of place. Supporters who have passed away have their support carried on by today's fans, just as the supporters of today will have their support continued through families and friends. We share this vision and bond as one because Sunderland AFC is For Us All".
Main Entrance
The man, the messiah, the moment
North West corner (Family zone)
The Stadium of Light Tyne Wear Metro station is 10 stops from Newcastle central station.
No comments:
Post a Comment