Group A
England v Kosovo
Saint Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England
10 September 2019
Declan Rice is on the front cover of the programme and is poised to return to an exciting England line up with Kane, Sterling and Sancho all featuring. Kosovo are currently enjoying a 15 match unbeaten run so some might say that it is a shame that they were not rewarded with a game on the hallowed turf of Wembley. TBH I'm quite happy with the FAs policy of taking the team on the road.
This is the first time that England have ever played Kosovo following the countries acceptance into UEFA in 2016. Home tickets were snapped up quickly and away tickets were at a premium too. There were many supporters of this football mad county who had flocked to the nation that gave birth to the beautiful game to see their young nation in action
Southampton moved from their former home at the Dell to Saint Mary's Stadium in 2001.The stadium has a capacity of 32,500 and consists of four stands which each are named after the areas of the city to which they face. Tonight the England Supporter club are in the Chapel stand from where this pano has been taken. The other stands are the Itchen (Main) Stand to the right, the Kingsland Stand to the left and the Northland Stand where the Kosovan support has accumulated in the NE corner. The only time before that St Mary's has hosted a full England international was for the UEFA 2004 Qualifying Group against Macedonia in 2002. The game ended in a disappointing 2:2 draw with goals from Becks on 13 minutes and an equaliser from Stevie G in the 35th minute. Alan Smith was sent off in the 93rd minute to round off a poor performance.
My digs at the Ibis Budget hotel was perfect for the train station and a good location for easy walk to the old town.
The first pub that I fell upon in the old town was the Pig Hotel. It was a real belter. Warm, welcoming and a great pint. I also bumped into Gary Oswald (Sunderland), Monique and Neil Sandrie (both Ipswich), who are all fellow ESTC nomads.
This pub dates back to the 13thC and is another classic English Ale house. It became a public house in 1490 and was known as the Brewhouse. It became the Shipwright's Arms in 1771 but was named the Duke of Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The building lost its top floor during the Blitz and was rebuilt in 1961.
St Michaels was the only one of 5 medieval churches to survive the Germans bombs that destroyed the old town of Southampton during WW2. Its tower dates back to 1070.
The remains of Holyrood Church (built in 1322) was one of four churches within the walls of the Old Town to be destroyed during the Blitz.
After my whirlwind culture trip of Southampton, I zoom to the stadium to have a pint in the famous Chapel Arms on route to the stand of the same name.
On reaching the stadium I am pleased to see a healthy gathering of Kosovars enjoying the pleasant evening, adding colour, dance and singing songs a plenty. It feel a bit like a tournament.
Chapel Stand
Quite a few cheeky Kosovars searching
for home tickets. They are learning quick😎
Some of the usual suspects on the concourse
The Kosovans in the Northland Stand
The Albanian support to Kosovo is clear to all and has its routes with Albanian ethnicity in Kosovo and the strong links to the KLO (Kosovan Liberation Army) which was funded by Albania during the war.
A huge 3 lions is unveiled
It is a glorious evening in Southampton and the perfect setting for a game of all out attack, so let battle commence.
The Itchen Stand, named so because
the River Itchen is just behind.
The Kingsland Stand to the left
England's No1
Pano of St Mary's Stadium
England 5 Kosovo 3
Attendance: 30,155
The game starts at a frantic pace with both sides out of the blocks quickly and pressing high. Disaster! Michael Keane's error gifts a goal to Valon Berisha in the 1st minute.
England respond in dramatic style with five first half goals. On the score sheet are Sterling (8th), Kane (19), Vojvoda (38 og), and Sancho with a brace (44, 45).
England are insatiable during the first half blitzing of Kosovo
Half Time England 5 Kosovo 1
Kane misses a penalty ending a run of 23 consecutive penalties scored in competitive internationals by England players. The last miss was David Beckham at Euro 2004 against France.
The Kosovan support is delighted with their teams second half comeback as they add respectability to the scoreline with another goal from Berisha (49) and a penalty converted by Muriqi (55) to make it 5:3 to England.
Outside of the Itchen Stand everyone is converging around the statue of the Southampton legend Ted Bates. I remember about 12 or so years ago when the supporters were going to lynch the sculpture who created the first statue. He made Ted look out of proportion and a bit like Jimmy Krankie.
The original cost £112,000 but was pulled down within a week because it was so bad. Classic!
Well done England, now its time to race back to
the "Duke of Boots" for last orders.
England Home and Away - a way of life😎
No comments:
Post a Comment