After 12 years of absence, Australia and England scheduled a friendly match at Upton Park, London on 12 February 2003. The English were strong favourites going into the match as they fielded a near World Cup strength team while Australia failed to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup after losing their fourth FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-off in Uruguay. Despite entering the clash as the heavy underdogs, Australia pulled off a stunning upset over England with a 3–1 victory, despite Sven-Göran Eriksson fielded a different team in each half and the England international debuts of Jermaine Jenas, Paul Robinson, Wayne Rooney, James Beattie, Paul Konchesky and Francis Jeffers (who scored in his only international match), Vince Grella made his Australian debut in this match.