The Three Lions squad for the match against Australia  February 2003
Player	Birthdate	Age	Pos	Club	St	Sub	App	G	Capt
Beattie, James S.	27 February 1978	24	F	Southampton FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Beckham, David R.J.	2 May 1975	27	M	Manchester United FC	53	3	56	9	20	1 7
Brown, Wesley M.	13 October 1979	23	D	Manchester United FC	3	3	6	0	0	None
Campbell, Sulzeer J.	18 September 1974	28	D	Arsenal FC	49	3	52	1	2	6
Cole, Ashley	20 December 1980	22	D	Arsenal FC	16	0	16	0	0	2
Cole, Joseph J.	8 November 1981	21	M	West Ham United FC	1	7	8	0	0	None
Davis, Sean	20 September 1979	23	M	Fulham FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Dyer, Kieron C.	29 December 1978	24	M	Newcastle United FC	5	8	13	0	0	None
Ferdinand, Rio G.	7 November 1978	24	D	Manchester United FC	23	5	28	0	0	1
Hargreaves, Owen L.	20 January 1981 born in Canada	22	M	FC Bayern München eV, Germany	5	5	10	0	0	None
James, David B.	1 August 1970	32	G	West Ham United FC	4	6	10	8 GA	0	1
Jeffers, Francis	25 January 1981	22	F	Arsenal FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Jenas, Jermaine A.	18 February 1983	19	M	Newcastle United FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
King, Ledley B.	12 October 1980	22	D	Tottenham Hotspur FC	0	1	1	0	0	None
Konchesky, Paul M.	15 May 1981	21	D	Charlton Athletic FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Lampard, Frank J.	20 June 1978	24	M	Chelsea FC	2	5	7	0	0	None
Mills, Daniel J.	18 May 1977	25	D	Leeds United AFC	8	5	13	0	0	1
Murphy, Daniel B.	18 March 1977	25	M	Liverpool FC	1	4	5	1	0	None
Neville, Gary A.	18 February 1975	27	D	Manchester United FC	49	5	54	0	0	4
Owen, Michael J.	14 December 1979	23	F	Liverpool FC	34	10	44	19	4	2
Parker, Scott M.	13 October 1980	22	M	Charlton Athletic FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Robinson, Paul W.	15 October 1979	23	G	Leeds United AFC	0	0	0	0 GA	0	None
Rooney, Wayne M.	24 October 1985	17	F	Everton FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Scholes, Paul	16 November 1974	28	M	Manchester United FC	49	2	51	13	0	1 11
Vassell, Darius C.	13 June 1980	22	F	Aston Villa FC	5	4	9	3	0	None
Upson, Matthew J.	18 April 1979	23	D	Birmingham City FC	0	0	0	0	0	None
Wright, Richard I.	5 November 1977	25	G	Everton FC	1	1	2	1 GA	0	None

All information is complete to and including England's last match, the third of the 2002-03 season, against FYR Macedonia on 16 October 2002.

Diary

Saturday, 28 September 2002 - The French Football Federation have denied that negotiations for a friendly between France and England next February have been completed. FFF representative Henry Emile revealed that no deal has been completed for the friendly to be played on February 12, despite reports in England suggesting both sides will meet on that date. Emile has stated that if no deal can be reached, they will arrange to play another country on February 12. Emile said: "Nothing has been signed. It is completely premature. Our idea for February 12 is to play in Paris and above all not abroad."

Tuesday, 15 October 2002 - England's proposed glamour international against European champions France next February is OFF. Sven-Göran Eriksson's team were looking forward to assessing the level of their improvement by playing the French, arguably still the best team in Europe despite their World Cup failure, but the two countries have been unable to reach agreement. Instead, Eriksson was today looking for new opposition, possibly in London next February, in what will be England's next match after tomorrow's European Championship qualifier against Macedonia at Southampton. Highbury or Upton Park are two venues being considered but the Football Association will delay making that decision until the opposition is finalised.

Wednesday, 16 October 2002 - England are in talks to play either Denmark or Australia in their first match next year. The Football Association announced today they had now earmarked potential replacements for a home friendly, which will probably take place on the original date. Football Association head of communications Paul Newman said: "The two most likely options are Denmark and Australia. Nothing is finalised at the moment and discussions are on-going. It will obviously be a home game."

Thursday, 17 October 2002 - The United States Soccer Federation are making a concerted effort in lobbying the FA for a friendly in February. USSF are still negotiating the possibility of a clash with England at Old Trafford. Although the US do have preliminary plans of an international friendly, the now vacated berth has been deemed as an opportunity that should be explored 'at any cost'. The US currently lie one place above England in eighth place in the latest Fifa rankings, boosted by continued improvement in their squad, added to an impressive showing in the World Cup - only losing out to Germany in the quarter finals in Japan/Korea.

Friday, 18 October 2002 - Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has pleaded with Eriksson to give the nod to a glamour clash with England after revealing that he is close to sealing a friendly with Wales in February. McIlroy, whose side extended their goal drought to five games with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine at Windsor Park on Wednesday, is desperate to see his team in action before their next Euro 2004 qualifier against Armenia in March. The former Manchester United midfielder has already opened talks with Wales boss Mark Hughes in a bid to face Ryan Giggs and Co at the Millennium Stadium early next year. McIlroy admits that Wales' resurgence has given him hope for the future with Northern Ireland. And McIlroy admits that a clash with England or Wales would solve any financial headaches within the cash-strapped Irish Football Association. McIlroy said: "I would like to get a game sorted out for February. I've had a word with Mark Hughes and I'd also be interested in a game with England if possible - even an England B team if Sven Goran Eriksson does not fancy it."

Wednesday, 13 November 2002 - The Football Association today announced that England will play Australia on 12 February 2003 at West Ham United's Boleyn Ground at Upton Park. This historic fixture will be the first time the two nations have met each other in England, although there has been five fixtures played previously in Australia, the last of which was in Sydney in 1991.

Tuesday, 17 December 2002 - There will be many disappointed Socceroo fans following the announcement from The Football Association (England) that the match between England and Australia on Wednesday 12 February had sold out within half an hour of the tickets going on sale in London - "less than the time it takes to watch an episode of Neighbours" quotes The FA website.

Tuesday, 21 January 2003 - Soccer Australia announced that it has secured Castlemaine XXXX in the United Kingdom as tour sponsor for the forthcoming international friendly match between Australia and England, the match to be played in London on Wednesday 12th February 2003.  Castlemaine XXXX, which is marketed and brewed in the UK under licence by global brewing company, Interbrew UK will be supporting the Socceroos tour as the official tour sponsor.  Soccer Australia has granted tour rights and accordingly the tour has been designated "The XXXX Tour".

Thursday, 23 January 2003 - Southampton left-back Wayne Bridge fears he will not be fit for England's friendly against Australia next month. Bridge limped off in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend and a second scan has revealed a calf muscle tear rather than just a strain, which could keep him out for three weeks.

Monday, 27 January 2003 - Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The 21-year-old suffered a tear to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a collision with Crystal Palace striker Dele Adebola during Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Selhurst Park. An MRI scan revealed the torn ligament and the club must now decide how best to treat the injury.

Saturday, 8 February 2003 - Sven-Göran Eriksson announces his 27 man squad to face Australia on Wednesday.

England Form: last six games
D W L D W D  f 9:a 6  success: 58%
793	12 June 2002 - Nigeria 0 England 0 [0-0] Ōsaka-shi Nagai Rikujō Kyōgijō, Ōsakai (44,864)		WCF	ND
794	15 June 2002 - Denmark 0 England 3 [0-3] Niigata Sutajiamu, Niigata (40,582)	Sørenson OG, Owen, Heskey		NW
795	21 June 2002 - England 1 Brazil 2 [1-1] Shizuoka Stadium Ekopa, Fukuroi (47,436)	Owen Rivaldo, Ronaldinho		NL
		Ronaldinho
796	7 September 2002 - England 1 Portugal 1 [1-0] Villa Park, Birmingham (40,058)	Smith Costinha	Fr	HD
797	12 October 2002 - Slovakia 1 England 2 [1-0] Tehelné pole, Bratislava (27,000/30,000)	Németh Beckham, Owen	ECP	AW
798	16 October 2002 - England 2 Macedonia FYR 2 [2-2] St Mary's Stadium, Southampton (32,095)	Beckham, Gerrard Sakiri, Trajanov		HD
		Smith

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CG