Wary Milner recalls shock 1993 San Marino strike against England

22-Mar-2013 2:55:00 AM

The Manchester City midfielder remembers watching Davide Gualtieri stun the Three Lions with a goal after just 8.3 seconds and intends to "concentrate" on Friday to avoid a repeat

James Milner recalls watching England fall behind to San Marino just 8.3 into seconds into their now-infamous 1993 match as a young boy.

The Manchester City midfielder was just seven at the time when Davide Gualtieri struck in lightning-fast fashion to put the tiny nation ahead of the Three Lions in their November World Cup qualifier.


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Now the England international intends to concentrate on avoiding any such shocks when his side take on the underdogs away from home on Friday.

"I remember the goal. It was one of those moments when everything seemed to stand still. It just went deathly quiet," Milner told the press of the 1993 strike.

"I don't know how many years ago it was but I was sat in front of the telly.

"Every game is big for England, whether it is a friendly or a qualifier, but especially these two, as they are away trips. We need to make sure we concentrate on San Marino first," he continued.

"We know if we play anything like our best we should get a positive result. We have to make sure we go there and do that and concentrate fully. Then it's a tough trip to Montenegro."