On Wednesday night at Wembley, caretaker manager, Stuart Pearce watched from the sidelines as the England team lost 3-2 to the Netherlands in the exciting friendly.

What looked to be a draw when in the 91st minute, Ashley Young scored to level the board 2-2, was lost when Arjen Robben scored a late goal only a minute.

Now that the game is over, the focus will turn to finding a permanent replacement for former manager Fabio Capello. While Pearce would be happy to take the side to Euro 2012, managing the side is not a long term option for him. Pearce said that “I would be confident taking the squad to the Euros, that wouldn’t daunt me at all but I don’t think after that period I have the experience for the job. All I’m doing is buying the Football Association some time.”

Pearce was happy with the efforts of his players, but admitted that their lack of experience was shown up in the defeat by the more experienced Dutch, who reached the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

(more…)

Tottenham’s midfielder Scott Parker who was recently voted England Player of the Year by fans will captain England in their friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley on Wednesday.

Interim England manager Stuart Pearce selected Parker ahead of contenders like Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Manchester City‘s James Milner and Joe Hart.

Parker, 31, has won 10 caps since his debut in November 2003 and featured in seven of England’s nine games in 2011 and is renowned for his energy and stamina on the field.

Between 2003 and 2010, he won three international caps while playing for three different clubs – Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle. Parker has been instrumental in the rise of Tottenham to third place in the Premier League.

At a pre-match news conference on Tuesday, Pearce had declined to reveal his captain and only said that he would inform his players of his decision on Wednesday morning. He then continued to outline the qualities an England captain should possess.

(more…)

A goal five minutes from time and against the run of play earned the United States a 1-0 win over hard working Bafana Bafana in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at a packed Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

The only goal of the match was scored by 17-year-old US substitute Juan Agudelo, on his debut, in the 85th minute.

It was Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane’s first defeat in four matches in charge and the first time his side had conceded a goal since he replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira after the World Cup in August.

The countries met for the third time and Bafana have yet to score a goal against the US.

(more…)