Defoe reigns in Port of Spain
Monday, June 2, 2008
Article summary
Jermain Defoe's double for England coincided with victories for Latvia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sunday's friendlies for teams not playing at UEFA EURO 2008™.
Article top media content
Article body
Trinidad & Tobago 0-3 England
Midfielder Gareth Barry opened the scoring with his first international goal – a close-range volley from Wayne Bridge's centre after a clever pass from Stewart Downing in the 12th minute in Port of Spain. Defoe got the second when he ran on to a Dean Ashton through ball to score with a low finish. The Portsmouth FC striker struck again four minutes into the second half as a deep cross by David Bentley was inadvertently nodded into his path by a defender under pressure from Peter Crouch.
Latvia 2-1 Lithuania
Lavtia won the Baltic Cup on Sunday following a 2-1 victory against Lithuania, the two sides having each previously beaten Estonia 1-0 in the three-team tournament. Latvia were put under intense pressure during a scoreless first half at the Skonto Stadium in Riga, but struck 12 minutes into the second when Kaspars Gorkšs fired in following a Juris Laizans corner. A Vidas Alunderis own goal ten minutes from time put Latvia two up before Ričardas Beniušis's late reply reduced the arrears.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 Azerbaijan
Berti Vogts tasted defeat in his first game as Azerbaijan coach as Bosnia-Herzegovina earned a narrow win in Zenica. Stevo Nikolić scored the only goal of the game after 73 minutes, underlining the good form he has shown with domestic champions FK Modriča which has seen him linked with a move abroad before the start of the 2008/09 season.