From Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Wayne Rooney, England can take confidence from 2-2 draw in Brazil, says Roy Hodgson
The visitors improved as the game went on a the Maracana
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Your support makes all the difference.Roy Hodgson insisted England can take confidence for their battle to qualify for the World Cup after two superb goals secured a 2-2 draw against Brazil.
England survived a first-half mauling by Brazil, who had a total of 30 shots - 20 at goal - before strikes by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wayne Rooney lit up the Maracana.
Brazil had taken the lead through Fred, before England stunned the Maracana crowd to go 2-1 in front despite managing only eight shots in total, before Paulinho's outstanding volley levelled the scores.
Hodgson said: "We're a work in progress. We face stiff opposition and have a lot of work to do before we can think about 2014. But I am very confident we can and games like this increase confidence and make us even more determined to be part of the party the World Cup will be.
"I do think we were well worthy of the draw.
"I was delighted with how we kept ourselves in the game and didn't capitulate despite them being clearly better than us in the first half.
"In the second half we were every bit as good and we should take lot of credit for that.
"Most teams, managers and coaches know that when you come to Brazil and play them they will have more of ball and create more chances. The question is if you can deal with it and come away with a result and that's what we did.
"The clever money would have had us struggling to get any sort of result, not least because of the trip and being down to the bare bones with injuries.
"But we were desperate to give a good impression and finish the season on a positive note. I'm delighted that was what we did."
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he had shaken Hodgson's hand and wished him good luck to return for the World Cup next year - but he also bemoaned his side's profligacy in front of goal.
Scolari said: "I hope England come to the World Cup. When I spoke to Roy just now I said I hope to see you at the World Cup and that we will meet again. But we know in Europe that is difficult, much more difficult than qualifying in South America where we have four or five from 10 teams.
"England are an excellent team who are well-organised but will be facing some difficulties to be the first in their group.
"In a group where you have 10 games if you make a mistake in one or two games you might have a problem to qualify automatically and you might have to go to the play-offs. I had this problem with Portugal.
England are very good but they have to be very careful."
Scolari said Brazil paid the price for not taking their chances in the first half.
He added: "In this match England had only seven shots and scored twice while we had 30 shots altogether and only scored two goals. We have to take advantage of the opportunities when they arise."
PA
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