International Round-Up

Alan Smith and Gary Neville helped England cruise to an impressive 3-0 victory over Ukraine with Real Madrid duo Michael Owen and David Beckham scoring for England in each half before debutant Shaun Wright-Phillips, of Manchester City, capped off a fine England performance with a well-taken goal after coming on as a substitute. Both Neville and Smith were replaced at the interval by Sven Goran Eriksson.

Scotland suffered a 3-0 defeat by the hands of Hungary however in-front of a 15,933 Hampden Park crowd. Old Trafford youngster Darren Fletcher was replaced with 15 minutes on the clock by Celtic's Stephen Pearson. Scots Goalkeeper David Marshall scored an own goal to round off the scoring after Sszabolcs Huszti struck twice for the Hungarians.

Northern Ireland continue to improve under Lawrie Sanchez and will be delighted by holding Switzerland to a goalless draw in Zurich. The Swiss are fourty places above the Ulstermen in the World Rankins, so the draw is an impressive result and is further evidence of the side getting stronger all the time. However, they could easily have won the friendly with former United striker David Healy amongst the chances for the visitng side.

Red Devils 'keeper Roy Carroll kept an excellent clean sheet, which will give him confidence as he challenges Tim Howard for the number one jersey at Old Trafford - Ricardo will have something to say about that though! The former Wigan Athletic shot stopper was solid in the first half as the hosts look to break the deadlock early. Northern Ireland will now go into the World Cup qualifying campaign with confidence after an unbeaten run stretching six matches. A lack of goals is still proving a problem though.

Manchester United duo John O'Shea and Roy Keane were both in action a the Republic of Ireland battled out a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Bulgaria. Nottingham Forest's Andy Reid, being linked with a series of Premiership clubs, gave the Irish the lead sending the home fans on the Landsdowne Road terraces into delight.

Parity was restored twenty minutes from time though, Bulgaria snatching an equaliser through Bozhinov. Clinton Morrison and Kevin Kilbane had chances in the closing stages but couldn't break down the resolute defence of the Eastern Europeans.