Soccer: Beckham, Owen to the rescue

Goals from David Beckham and Michael Owen lifted England to a pulsating 2-1 victory over Slovakia in their opening Euro 2004 qualifier yesterday.

Middlesbrough striker Szilard Nemeth gave Slovakia a shock 24th-minute lead, but a David Beckham free kick in the 64th and an Owen header in the 82nd saved the day for the warm favourites.

The Slovan Bratislava ground had suffered badly from nearly two days of constant rain, but passed an afternoon inspection.

England are second in the group seven standings on three points, three behind Turkey, who have won their first two games.

The match was marred by trouble in the England supporters' section of the ground.Slovakia's short passing game enabled them to settle more quickly in the treacherous conditions and they soon carved out a chance for Robert Vittek, forcing a desperate interception by Gareth Southgate.

But England's defence was caught out in the 24th minute when Vladimir Janocko pulled the ball back from the left byline, Attila Pinte headed into the box and Nemeth fired home.

Nemeth nearly made it 2-0 when he broke through on the left, but England's 39-year-old keeper David Seaman pulled off a crucial save.

England gradually turned up the pressure and were rewarded midway through the second half when Owen appeared to graze Beckham's lofted free kick from the left and Konig could only watch the ball sail into the net.

Beckham was later awarded the goal.

Slovakia continued to threaten and England were pressed hard before Owen grabbed his winner after Paul Scholes had cut the ball back from the right.

Slovak skipper Peter Dzurik failed to intercept and the Liverpool striker ducked down to head in from point-blank range.

For England, who will need a much more composed performance against Macedonia on Thursday at Southampton, it was enough to collect the three points and deny the Slovaks, who had been beaten 3-0 by Turkey last month.

European champions France maintained their perfect start to their qualifying campaign when they crushed Slovenia 5-0 before a crowd of 78,000 in Paris. Of the other probable contenders for the European title in Portugal in 2004, Turkey overcame a shaky start to win 2-1 in Macedonia, and Italy, runners-up to France two years ago, were held to a 1-1 draw by Yugoslavia in Naples.

Germany, who drew 1-1 with Bosnia in a friendly on Saturday, play the Faroe Islands at home on Thursday. Despite huge downpours across much of the continent which made many pitches wet and muddy, there were no huge upsets yesterday, but Latvia did well to win 1-0 in Poland and move to the top of group four.

Scotland also scored a highly important away win, beating Iceland 2-0 in Reykjavik to end a run of six matches without a win and give coach Berti Vogts his first victory in charge of the team.

Scotland, who led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal by Christian Dailly, are top of group five, but have played two matches to Germany's one.

Gary Naysmith scored the Scots' second in the 62nd minute.

Denmark moved to the top of the group two on goal difference from Norway after their 2-0 home win over Luxembourg, but they did not have things all their own way against one of the whipping boys of European soccer.

Denmark went ahead only after a questionable penalty award which Jon Dahl Tomasson converted in the 51st minute, and Ebbe Sand made sure with a 71st-minute header.

Norway downed Romaia 1-0 in Bucharest. In group six, Northern Ireland were overwhelmed 3-0 by Spain in Albacete.

- AGENCIES