Rooney can't spare senior's humiliation

After embarrassing defeats to Australia in cricket, rugby league and tennis in the last seven months, England's best footballers were outclassed by a nation that has not qualified for the World Cup since 1974.

With England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004 already dangling by a thread after October's home draw with minnows Macedonia, Eriksson was already aware that his critics were sharpening the knives.

Those blades will now be prodding firmly into his back after this humiliation, in which Australia went 2-0 up in the first half against England's senior players.

Australia, whose starting line-up included eight players based in Britain, delivered a performance that suggested they wanted to prove their international credibility.

Wayne Rooney became the youngest player at 17 years and 111 days to represent England when he came on as a half-time substitute.

And his crossfield ball began a move that ended with Francis Jeffers heading home Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas's right-wing cross after 69 minutes to halve the deficit.

England could not find an equaliser, however, and Australia sent their huge following of ex-pats wild with delight six minutes from time when Brett Emerton scored their third.

Tony Popovic, the Crystal Palace defender, and Leeds United's Harry Kewell had earlier struck to put the visitors in a near-unassailable position.

Kewell was magnificent, tormenting England's defenders with his pace and movement alongside clubmate Mark Viduka.

But as Australia celebrated their first senior international victory over England, Eriksson was left to ponder his future.

The England coach, an apparent Barcelona target when Louis van Gaal left the Nou Camp recently, has admitted the day-to-day involvement of club management is tempting.

The departure from the FA of Adam Crozier, Eriksson's closest ally, has also prompted questions about his future.

And England will need to show a marked improvement on last night's shambles of a first-half display when they meet Turkey at Sunderland on April 2 if they are to finish top of their Euro 2004 qualifying group.

According to Leeds, Kewell was not fit enough to play, and an Elland Road director warned of possible legal action against Soccer Australia should he line up at Upton Park.

But he looked as sharp as ever, clearly eager to capitalise on a rare opportunity to escape the problems that have engulfed his club this season.

Kewell made light of his supposed hamstring injury throughout his 56-minute stint on the pitch, and he fired two early warning shots across England's bows.

The hosts' first scare came when they were caught out by a slick counter-attack shortly after Sol Campbell had a goalbound header blocked by Lucas Neill.

Kewell ran at England's back-pedalling defenders before unleashing a low 30-yard drive that drew a fine, full-length save from David James.

The elusive attacker then drilled wastefully wide when well placed, but his next significant contribution produced the first goal in the 16th minute.

His pinpoint free-kick from the Australia right wing found Popovic in space at the far post, and his powerful downward header from three yards was too good for James.

Certainly, questions ought to be asked about Gary Neville's involvement in the goal - he was supposed to be marking Popovic - but the quality of Kewell's delivery was indisputable.

Kewell almost made it 2-0 after 32 minutes, but he headed over from six yards when the England defence had again gone AWOL at a set-piece.

That chance came from a corner that Australia won following another flowing move that scythed England apart down their left flank.

Viduka's flick released Emerton, a one-time Newcastle target who was being watched at Upton Park by Sir Bobby Robson.

The Feyenoord winger's cross was intended for Scott Chipperfield.

But Neville redeemed himself after his part in the earlier goal when he diverted the ball wide.

England were looking vulnerable every time Australia attacked, but the visitors also suffered a handful of fraught moments as they defended their lead.

Five minutes after Popovic scored, England thought they had equalised when Paul Scholes rammed the ball home from close range.

But play had already been stopped because of a foul in the penalty area by James Beattie, who had a subdued debut.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was the most fortunate man in East London when he was caught in possession close to his own goal by Michael Owen.

But the angle was almost impossibly tight, and Owen could only send his shot into the side-netting.

Owen had a much more presentable opportunity shortly afterwards.

But from 12 yards he could only send his left-foot shot skidding just wide of Schwarzer's right-hand post.

Four minutes before half time, Australia doubled their money when Kewell was rewarded for his tenacity.

He hustled Rio Ferdinand into a mistake, and Kewell rounded James before slotting the ball into an empty net.

The home players were booed off at half-time, and at least the youngsters that replaced them were full of effort, even if they lacked international quality.

Rooney was bright, always looking for a killer pass, and after his cross found Daris Vassell the striker forced Schwarzer into a low save.

England's goal triggered the prospect of an unlikely comeback, but Emerton killed those embryonic hopes when he raced through in the closing stages to beat Paul Robinson.

Result: England 1 Australia 3.