Defoe defies Holland to script England's come-from-behind 2-2 draw

Scores twice to help England earn a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Holland

Scores twice to help England earn a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Holland

England striker Jermain Defoe vindicated Fabio Capello's decision to snub Michael Owen by scoring twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Holland in yesterday's friendly.

England's Jermain Defoe celebrates after scoring against Holland during a friendly in Amsterdam yesterday. The match ended 2-2. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Capello's team were heading for only a third defeat in 16 games under Capello as Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart punished careless mistakes from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry to give the Dutch a two-goal lead at half-time at the Amsterdam Arena.

But Capello sent on Defoe at the interval and he showed why the England coach believes the Tottenham star is currently a better option than Owen by producing two clinical finishes.

Defoe's goals may have consigned Manchester United forward Owen to a further period in international exile, but, more significantly, they maintained the feelgood factor around the England camp at the start of a season they hope will end with World Cup glory in South Africa.

England still need to cut out the kind of sloppy errors that led to Holland's goals, but their determined fightback showed that Capello has managed to instill a more steely attitude into a squad that was drained of belief before he took charge.

With Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard sidelined with a groin injury, Aston Villa's Ashley Young was handed a first start on the left, while David Beckham won his 113th England cap as Capello opted not to risk Theo Walcott, who was unable to train on Tuesday.

Although Capello has led England to seven successive World Cup qualifying wins, his record in friendlies has been more mixed, with victory in Germany offset by chastening defeats to France and Spain.

Yet the Italian believes regular exposure to the best international teams is the only way to make his squad aware of the level they have to reach to win a World Cup.

Holland were unquestionably another good test. Bert van Marwijk's team were the first European nation to qualify for next year's World Cup after reeling off seven wins.