DHAKA: England were held to a goalless draw by ten-man Honduras on Saturday in their final friendly before heading to Brazil for the World Cup.

Roy Hodgson’s team had the better chances in a largely scrappy game which was interrupted in the first half by a 43-minute suspension of play due to a severe lightning warning.

Honduras had Brayan Beckeles sent off in the 66th minute for a second bookable offence but will take heart from a battling display and a clean sheet after losing their previous two warm-up games 4-2 to Israel and 2-0 to Turkey.

England created several openings but failed to take advantage with Daniel Sturridge the main culprit.  Wayne Rooney made his third straight start for England, making him the only member of Roy Hodsgon’s squad to play in all three pre-World Cup warm-ups.

The Manchester United forward was again asked to play on the left flank and it was Rooney who produced the first effort on goal with a curling free-kick in the 14th minute which Honduras keeper Noel Valladrares spilled.  

Rooney then sparked another England opportunity when, on the edge of the area, he fed Danny Welbeck, who dummied the ball allowing it to run into the path of Daniel Sturridge who should have done better than a left foot shot wide of the post.

BDST: 1342 HRS, JUNE 08, 2014