Michael Owen was a youngster when England took on the might of Australian football on February 12th 2003, England managed by Sven. The game was played in Upton Park, almost as if the FA was embarrassed by the competition. Wayne Rooney took over from Michael Owen at half time, and so did the other 10 players as Sven-Goran Eriksson used the occasion to see what was what. It may have been a good idea, although the Aussies back home would have been delighted receiving the news that their "Roos" had beaten the founding fathers 1-3, on their home territory.
0-2 down at half time, they were playing a nation that had not qualified for the upcoming World Cup finals. Aussie, Harry Kewell, was in charge of the midfield.
Wayne Rooney was making his debut four months after scoring a wonder goal for Everton against David Seaman and Arsenal, the Gunners unbeaten for 29 league games. Final score 2-1 to the Toffees. At 17 years and 111 days, Rooney became the youngest ever England international, beating the record of the famed Old Carthusian, James Prinsep, who at 17 years and 119 days, had been "youngest" since his debut in 1879. Rooney helped assist Francis Jeffers score his goal, formerly of Everton and then with Arsenal, who was winning his one and only cap. Over 34,000 in the East End witnessed the all change at half time and I'm not going to list the two teams.
Theo Walcott leads the "youngest English cap title" when on May 25th 2006, when he came on against Hungary on May 30th at 17 years 75 days in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
It worked nevertheless as England topped their European Championship qualifying group. pipping the might of Turkey (by one point), Slovakia, FYR Macedonia and Liechenstein. Tough group.
In 2003 England used the following venues for their matches: Upton Park, Stadium of Light, Walkers Stadium, Riverside, Portman Road and Old Trafford. Actually quite a nice idea using the regional "hunbs". Bit sick for poor old Jeffers who missed his Wembley opportunity. This had happened also in 2006.This regional approach had also happened on 2003
Rooney became the country's youngest scorer, at the time, when he notched against Macedonia aged 17 yrs 317 days (6/9/2003) in a 2-1 win. England finally qualified for the tournament by getting the needed point against Turkey away, after Beckham had missed a penalty.
During 2003 in the qualifying rounds, England had thumped Liechtenstein twice 2-0, Turkey 2-0 and 0-0!, Slovakia 2-1 and Macdedonia 2-1.
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