World Football: 5 Lessons Learned from International Friendlies

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: February 7, 2013

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International friendlies are often listless affairs that offer fuel to the fire of fans who claim that international football is increasingly a poor relation of club football. The fixtures on offer on Wednesday night, however, promised excitement and promptly delivered.

Although the games are essentially meaningless, friendlies offer international managers the luxury of assessment and experimentation. For the players, they’re a chance to prove themselves capable of consideration for the future. With the World Cup next year, these games were the perfect opportunity.

Read on for some of the lessons learned from the games.

 

Jack Wilshere Gives England Hope

The English media have a habit of raising expectations on young players to such levels that they can only hope to fail.

It’s worth bearing in mind that this was Jack Wilshere’s first start under Roy Hodgson, that the Brazil team he faced will be stronger in Rio next year, and that his injury-plagued England career should be handled with caution.

Nevertheless, it was still satisfying to see a young player take his performances at club level and transfer them to the world stage. Wilshere’s confidence in the England midfield is a promising sign for the future, and his pairing with Steven Gerrard looked balanced and assured.

Gerrard was content to play the more experienced role, sitting back and controlling the midfield from deep positions. Wilshere, meanwhile, made confident strides forward and looked to dominate the game.

As Phil McNulty wrote for BBCSport.co.uk, the player Wilshere most resembled was another England No. 8, Paul Gascoigne. His willingness to take players on, never back down and always know where his teammates are is something that Gascoigne continually brought to the England setup throughout his career.

Regardless of Gascoigne’s trouble off the field...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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