Monday, February 27, 2012

International Opta Facts - February 29


England v Netherlands
The last four meetings between England and Holland (all friendlies) have ended as draws.
England's last eight goals against the Netherlands have been scored by strikers.
This is Holland's first game at Wembley since the 4-1 defeat to England in Euro 1995.
Current England boss Stuart Pearce was in the England starting XI the last time they faced Holland at Wembley.
England have won only one of their last 11 encounters with the Netherlands (that game in 1996).
After going unbeaten in 14 games following the 2010 World Cup final, the Netherlands have lost two of their last three games, drawing the other.
Despite topping the Premier League goal-charts with 23 goals so far, Robin van Persie has only got on the scoresheet in one of his last seven appearances for the Oranje (although it was a four-goal haul against San Marino in September 2011).
The Three Lions have lost just one of their last 14 games (including friendlies), winning nine and drawing four.
At home, England have suffered just one defeat in their last 21 games (including friendlies).
Only one of England's last eight international goals has come in the second-half.
England have scored exactly one goal in their last four friendlies at Wembley.

Wales v Costa Rica
The two nations have only met on one previous occasion, in 1990 in Cardiff, when the home side won 1-0. Gary Speed, Wales' recently deceased manager made his international debut in that game.
Wales have now won three games in a row, a feat they last achieved back in March 2008. They last won four games in a row all the way back in late 1980/early 1981.
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has scored in each of Wales' last three games.
Costa Rica are unbeaten in three games, including a surprise 2-2 draw with World Champions Spain back in November 2011.

Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic
These two sides have met on 19 occasions (including Czechoslovakia), with the Czech side winning 11 and two games drawn.
Their last meeting came in Prague in September 2007, when the home side won a Euro qualifier 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Marek Jankulovski.
The Irish are now unbeaten in 11 international games (including friendlies), winning seven and drawing four.
In scoring for Arsenal against Tottenham at the weekend, Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky ended a personal goal drought of 49 league games.
Ireland have only lost to the Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia once in the last five meetings in Ireland, winning three and drawing one.

Northern Ireland v Norway
The two sides have met on seven previous occasions, with the Irish registering just one victory, losing the other six.
Norway scored four goals in both of their last two victories against Northern Ireland, in 4-1 in 2004, and 4-0 in 2001.
Northern Ireland have managed just one win in their last 13 games (including friendlies); a 4-0 home win in the Euro qualifiers against the Faroe Islands last August.
The Scandinavians have enjoyed just two wins in their last seven games on the road (including friendlies).
Northern Ireland have failed to find the back of the net in five of their last eight games (including firendlies).

Slovenia v Scotland
The two nations have only met on two previous occasions, during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, with the sides drawing 0-0 in Glasgow but Scotland winning 3-0 in Celje.
The Scottish have only suffered one defeat in their last six games (including friendlies).
The Slovenians have only won one of their last five internationals (including friendlies), losing three and drawing one.
Scotland have alternated a win and a loss in their last seven away games. If this run continues they will lose this game.
Tim Matavz has bagged three goals in total in his last three games for Slovenia.