England Closer to South Africa as Rivals Slip in Group Six

England claimed their sixth consecutive win in Group 6 on Saturday with a 4-0 win in Kazakhstan as they edged ever closer to World Cup Qualification.

After a shaky start the Three Lions soon found their stride with goals from Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey at the end of the first half. Additional strikes from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard extended their lead as the home side tired in the second period.

The win leaves England sitting pretty on eighteen points, a full seven ahead of nearest rivals Croatia who could only muster a draw at home to Ukraine in what is now effectively a race for second-place and a playoff spot.

Mladen Petric gave Slaven Bilic’s side the perfect start by scoring after just two minutes in Zagreb but Ukraine captain Andrei Shevchenko equalised just ten minutes later.

Olexiy Gay then gave the away side the advantage shortly after the break only for Tottenham’s Luka Modric to salvage a point for the home side with a 68th minute leveller.

The result maintains Croatia’s three point lead over the Ukraine, but the latter do have a game in hand which they play on Wednesday against Kazakhstan in Kiev. A five-goal win would see Ukraine leap into second place.

Belarus crushed minnows Andorra in the other match in Group Six as they moved to within two points of Croatia. Gennady Bliznuk and Sergey Kornilenko both netted a brace for the home side and Timofey Kalachev also scored.

Andorrascored an injury-time consolation via the penalty spot through Ildefons Lima, only their second goal of the qualifying group. They travel to face group leaders Englandat Wembley on Wednesday night.

Group 6 Results, Fixtures and Standings

Sat 6 June         Belarus 5 – 1 Andorra

                        Croatia 2 – 2 Ukraine

                        Kazakhstan 0 – 4 England

Wed 10 June     Ukraine vs. Kazakhstan, (Kiev)

                        England vs. Andorra, (London)                

                        P   PTS

1. England         6   18

2. Croatia          6   11

3. Belarus         5   9

4. Ukraine         5   8

5. Kazakhstan   6   3

6. Andorra         6   0