Capello, Trapattoni off to winning starts

England [Images] were booed off at halftime against Andorra before grinding out a 2-0 victory as Europe's 2010 World Cup qualifiers began in earnest on Saturday.

England's Fabio Capello was among several high-profile coaches looking for a win in their first competitive game in charge, along with fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni and Vicente del Bosque.

Trapattoni enjoyed a victorious start with Ireland, who edged Georgia 2-1 in a match played in neutral Germany [Images] because of Georgia's recent conflict with Russia [Images].

Former Real Madrid [Images] coach Del Bosque, who succeeded Luis Aragones as Spain's coach after their victory at Euro 2008 [Images], leads the world number ones against Bosnia later.

England's millionaire players took on the part-timers of Andorra in a Group Six mis-match in Barcelona.

England have looked pedestrian in friendlies under Capello and a tedious first half, in which they failed to break down Andorra's massed defence, evoked memories of his predecessor Steve McClaren's ill-fated attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.

Capello's blushes were spared by two goals from substitute Joe Cole early in the second half as England at least posted a victory before Wednesday's clash against Croatia.

Elsewhere, Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey beat Armenia 2-0 in Group Five, but there were disappointing starts for Romania, Poland and Sweden, all of whom played at Euro 2008.

Romania were humbled 3-0 at home by Lithuania in Group Seven, Sweden were held 0-0 by Albania in Tirana in Group One and Poland drew 1-1 at home to Slovenia in Group Three.

Andriy Shevchenko scored a last-minute penalty to give Ukraine, who qualified for the finals for the first time in Germany two years ago, a 1-0 victory over Belarus in Group Six.

Europe's 53 teams are chasing 13 of the 32 final berths in South Africa [Images] with the nine group winners qualifying directly along with four runners-up who come through a playoff round.

World champions Italy [Images], Germany and France [Images], along with European champions Spain, were all in action later.

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