Showing posts with label 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 October 2009
England 3 Belarus 0
An easy win with Crouch getting 2 goals and SWP getting 1. Crouch keeps up an impressive strike rate for England, although it would seem always against the lesser footballing nations. It creates healthy competition for places which must be a good thing ahead of the World Cup Finals in 2010. David Beckham curiously won man of the match having come on as sub and only played 31 mins, a political point being made for his inclusion in the squad for South Africa???
Sunday, 11 October 2009
England loose 100% record in Ukraine
The final score being 1-0 to Ukraine, a result which wasn't helped by Robert Green's sending off after 13 mins. I can't help wondering if this result would have occured if England hadn't already qualified - a debating piont for sure.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
England 5 Croatia 1 World Cup Qualification for South Africa Complete
We are suffering from some picture problems, our normal source is failing....
This was a great result and really sends out a strong message to the World's top teams. And inspires genuine confidence in Englands chances of winning the World Cup in South Africa, bring it on!
This was a great result and really sends out a strong message to the World's top teams. And inspires genuine confidence in Englands chances of winning the World Cup in South Africa, bring it on!
Thursday, 11 June 2009
England 6 Andorra 0
On a night where travel to and from Wembley was difficult due to the Tube strike, England virtually guaranteed qualification for the World Cup Finals in South Africa in 2010. England are 10 points clear in the table with the nearest teams Croatia and Ukraine only having 4 games remaining and 12 points to play for. In terms of qualification games Croatia (home) and Ukraine (away) are the next fixtures.
Goals came from Rooney 4min, Lampard 29min, Rooney 39min, Defoe 73 and 76min and Crouch 81min. Can anyone remember the England Goalkeeper? ........ Robert Green.
Goals came from Rooney 4min, Lampard 29min, Rooney 39min, Defoe 73 and 76min and Crouch 81min. Can anyone remember the England Goalkeeper? ........ Robert Green.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Kazakhstan 0-4 England
The "tiredness" did not show! With Andorra next this must be qualification in the bag.
Monday, 1 June 2009
England look to end the season in style
The league and cups may have been decided and we may be into June, but the football season isn’t quite over yet.
Two crucial World Cup qualifiers lie ahead for England – a trip to Kazakhstan on Saturday and the home game with Andorra four days later.
With Fabio Capello’s men five points clear at the top at the halfway stage of qualifying, six points from these fixtures would almost certainly guarantee a place at the 2010 World Cup – especially as two of the final three fixtures are at home.
On paper two wins should not be a problem, these are the two weakest sides in the group. But the Kazakhstan fixture in particular has ‘banana skin’ written all over it.
It’s a long trip for starters, longer than any of the other destinations. The facilities will not be what our pampered Premier League stars are used to and, after a long hard season, fatigue may be a factor.
That long season has already led to a number players pulling out due to injury. The Three Lions are without Michael Carrick, David James, Ben Foster, Phil Jagielka and Stewart Downing. Injuries, of course, offer opportunities for others and the likes of James Milner, Paul Robinson and, most surprisingly, veteran Gary Neville have all earned recalls.
Because of the timing of the fixture and the number of injuries, I don’t expect it to be a classic – England need to just do enough to get the points and get out. It’s very much like a FA Cup tie away at a lower league club, England need to do just enough to avoid a giant-killing.
The home game with Andorra should be a formality, though in the reverse fixture England toiled 45 minutes before finally breaking their stubborn resistance. If England can get an early goal it should open things up for them.
Any slip ups will pile the pressure on their remaining fixtures, against the strongest sides in the group, Belarus, Ukraine and Croatia. I think Capello will be aware of this and will not allow his side to take the game lightly, undoing all their hard work in the first half of the campaign.
I predict that England will not upset the football odds and will record two wins, with plenty of goals against the Andorrans, meaning we can all go on our summer holidays satisfied at a season's work well done.
Two crucial World Cup qualifiers lie ahead for England – a trip to Kazakhstan on Saturday and the home game with Andorra four days later.
With Fabio Capello’s men five points clear at the top at the halfway stage of qualifying, six points from these fixtures would almost certainly guarantee a place at the 2010 World Cup – especially as two of the final three fixtures are at home.
On paper two wins should not be a problem, these are the two weakest sides in the group. But the Kazakhstan fixture in particular has ‘banana skin’ written all over it.
It’s a long trip for starters, longer than any of the other destinations. The facilities will not be what our pampered Premier League stars are used to and, after a long hard season, fatigue may be a factor.
That long season has already led to a number players pulling out due to injury. The Three Lions are without Michael Carrick, David James, Ben Foster, Phil Jagielka and Stewart Downing. Injuries, of course, offer opportunities for others and the likes of James Milner, Paul Robinson and, most surprisingly, veteran Gary Neville have all earned recalls.
Because of the timing of the fixture and the number of injuries, I don’t expect it to be a classic – England need to just do enough to get the points and get out. It’s very much like a FA Cup tie away at a lower league club, England need to do just enough to avoid a giant-killing.
The home game with Andorra should be a formality, though in the reverse fixture England toiled 45 minutes before finally breaking their stubborn resistance. If England can get an early goal it should open things up for them.
Any slip ups will pile the pressure on their remaining fixtures, against the strongest sides in the group, Belarus, Ukraine and Croatia. I think Capello will be aware of this and will not allow his side to take the game lightly, undoing all their hard work in the first half of the campaign.
I predict that England will not upset the football odds and will record two wins, with plenty of goals against the Andorrans, meaning we can all go on our summer holidays satisfied at a season's work well done.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Show of character bodes well for England future
So, as the dust settles on another successful international break we can at least take a tentative look forward to a summer in South Africa.
Reaching the half-way stage of World Cup qualifying with a 100% record is outstanding; especially given most of the games have been away. Home games against Andorra and Belarus should yield three points, while the long trip to Kazakhstan should be fruitful. This means we could afford to lose against Ukraine and Croatia and still qualify.
It is that breathing space that should allow the team to play with more freedom and express themselves. It is when the shackles are lifted like this that players like Rooney and Gerrard come into their own. Rooney in particular was outstanding against Ukraine, and his presence in the team is vital to future success.
What pleased me the most was the character shown by the side after conceding the equaliser. Instead of panicking or losing focus, the team stirred back into action, no more so than captain John Terry, another player who will be central to any success we have in the future. The midfield finally looks to be working, with Gerrard’s license to cut inside from the left giving him more potency, especially when linking up with Rooney.
The only position I am not sure of yet is the goalkeeper. I have to admit I have never been a big fan of David James. He has talent, yes, but he will always make a mistake every now and then and I fear if he keeps playing he will make one at a crucial stage and cost us.
The fact he is unchallenged for the number one spot says something about our goalkeeping situation. Ben Foster looks the most likely to push James at the moment, but with Capello favouring players who are playing regularly for their clubs (just ask Michael Owen) will Foster have to move on to improve his England chances?
The goalkeeping conundrum apart, the team is looking more settled and confident than it has done in several years. I won’t get too excited, I have learnt not to supporting England over the years and making any unrealistic football predictions could be dangerous. But their recent performances, and ability to cope with injuries and adversity, bodes very well for the future.
Reaching the half-way stage of World Cup qualifying with a 100% record is outstanding; especially given most of the games have been away. Home games against Andorra and Belarus should yield three points, while the long trip to Kazakhstan should be fruitful. This means we could afford to lose against Ukraine and Croatia and still qualify.
It is that breathing space that should allow the team to play with more freedom and express themselves. It is when the shackles are lifted like this that players like Rooney and Gerrard come into their own. Rooney in particular was outstanding against Ukraine, and his presence in the team is vital to future success.
What pleased me the most was the character shown by the side after conceding the equaliser. Instead of panicking or losing focus, the team stirred back into action, no more so than captain John Terry, another player who will be central to any success we have in the future. The midfield finally looks to be working, with Gerrard’s license to cut inside from the left giving him more potency, especially when linking up with Rooney.
The only position I am not sure of yet is the goalkeeper. I have to admit I have never been a big fan of David James. He has talent, yes, but he will always make a mistake every now and then and I fear if he keeps playing he will make one at a crucial stage and cost us.
The fact he is unchallenged for the number one spot says something about our goalkeeping situation. Ben Foster looks the most likely to push James at the moment, but with Capello favouring players who are playing regularly for their clubs (just ask Michael Owen) will Foster have to move on to improve his England chances?
The goalkeeping conundrum apart, the team is looking more settled and confident than it has done in several years. I won’t get too excited, I have learnt not to supporting England over the years and making any unrealistic football predictions could be dangerous. But their recent performances, and ability to cope with injuries and adversity, bodes very well for the future.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Monday, 23 March 2009
King call-up takes the headlines as latest England squad named.
So it’s England time again and boss Fabio Capello has again showed with his latest squad selection that he isn’t afraid to make controversial decisions.
That controversial decision being the selection of Spurs’ injury plagued centre-half Ledley King. King’s talent has never been in question, don’t forget he won his first England cap five years ago, but chronic knee problems mean he can only manage one game a week for Spurs and he barely trains in between.
You can’t really see him coping with the cut and thrust of a major tournament, with a match coming every three days or so. But as Fabio has said, he only picks players who are in form, so if Ledley helps England to two wins in their next two games, it is job done as far as Capello is concerned.
Another new call-up is Everton’s Leighton Baines (who I tipped for a call-up on this site earlier in the year I might add). It may be a surprise for some, but not for Everton fans who have seen the former Wigan man hit a great patch of form in recent weeks alongside Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka, who also received call-ups.
We don’t seem to be blessed with a great deal of left-backs. Ashley Cole is the obvious number one but with Wayne Bridge injured, Baines is far and away the most logical choice behind them.
Another one of my previous blogs on this site discussed the goalkeeping situation, which I think is Fabio Capello’s greatest challenge ahead of the World Cup next year. Many people have seen Ben Foster as the man with the potential to take that number one jersey, with only injury and lack of first-team action preventing him from adding to his sole England cap.
But after his heroics in the Carling Cup final earlier in the month he has been given another chance and I fancy him to start the friendly against Slovakia next Saturday. With David James and Edwin Van Der Sar both approaching 40, I reckon Foster may soon find himself number one for both club and country.
That controversial decision being the selection of Spurs’ injury plagued centre-half Ledley King. King’s talent has never been in question, don’t forget he won his first England cap five years ago, but chronic knee problems mean he can only manage one game a week for Spurs and he barely trains in between.
You can’t really see him coping with the cut and thrust of a major tournament, with a match coming every three days or so. But as Fabio has said, he only picks players who are in form, so if Ledley helps England to two wins in their next two games, it is job done as far as Capello is concerned.
Another new call-up is Everton’s Leighton Baines (who I tipped for a call-up on this site earlier in the year I might add). It may be a surprise for some, but not for Everton fans who have seen the former Wigan man hit a great patch of form in recent weeks alongside Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka, who also received call-ups.
We don’t seem to be blessed with a great deal of left-backs. Ashley Cole is the obvious number one but with Wayne Bridge injured, Baines is far and away the most logical choice behind them.
Another one of my previous blogs on this site discussed the goalkeeping situation, which I think is Fabio Capello’s greatest challenge ahead of the World Cup next year. Many people have seen Ben Foster as the man with the potential to take that number one jersey, with only injury and lack of first-team action preventing him from adding to his sole England cap.
But after his heroics in the Carling Cup final earlier in the month he has been given another chance and I fancy him to start the friendly against Slovakia next Saturday. With David James and Edwin Van Der Sar both approaching 40, I reckon Foster may soon find himself number one for both club and country.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Uncapped wonders - Ones for the future
2008 was a successfull year for England under Fabio Capello. From EURO 2008 failures to top of their qualification group, people are now tempted to put a bet on England to win the World Cup!
England’s first game of 2009 will be in Spain on the 11th February. It will be a further chance for Capello to experiment with his squad and perhaps take a look at some of England’s younger players with one eye on South Africa 2010.
With that in mind Tom Mallows takes a look at some uncapped youngsters whose recent performances may have forced themselves into Capello’s thoughts.....
Leighton Baines
An attacking full-back, Baines’ form at Wigan earned him a big money move to Everton in 2007. But he struggled in his early Everton career and soon found himself out of the team. However he has found himself back into contention recently and has played his part in Everton’s defensive resurgence.
Fabian Delph
The Bradford born youngster has established himself in the Leeds team this season and has earned a reputation as a creative attacking midfielder with an eye for goal. He has already been linked with a move to the Premier League and the football odds suggest he will eventually make a big money transfer. Capello may want to have a closer look at him.
Michael Mancienne
The Chelsea youngster’s form while on loan to Wolves earned him a call up to Capello’s squad for the friendly in Germany last year. He has since been recalled by the Londoners and if he can match his form for Wolves for his parent club, a first cap will not be far away.
Lee Cattermole
A regular for the under 21s he has played a key role in Wigan’s surge up the Premier League table since signing from Middlesbrough last sumer summer. England is blessed with central midfielders though so he may have to be patient and wait for his chance.
James Milner
Is this the year Milner finally gets that first cap? Since making his Leeds debut aged 16 Milner has racked up over 200 first team appearances and is England Under-21s most capped player. Named by Fabio Capello as one for the future and in sparkling form for high flying Aston Villa, he is almost certain of a call-up next month.
Steven Taylor
Newcastle defender Taylor has remained a consistent and loyal figure in the Magpies team despite their slide down the Premier League table. He captained the Under 21 side at the European Chaminships in 2007 and has made an appearance for the England B team. He can’t be far away from a full call up - Newcastle fans will hope he is still a Magpies player when he does get the nod.
Jamie O’Hara
Spurs midfielder O’Hara only made his Under 21 debut early last year but he has since become a regular in the both the Under 21 side and the Spurs squad ever since. As well as central midfield O’Hara can play at left back or left midfield - His versatility may tempt Capello to call him up.
Do you agree with Tom? Who else should be in Capello's squad? Please leave your comments below.
England’s first game of 2009 will be in Spain on the 11th February. It will be a further chance for Capello to experiment with his squad and perhaps take a look at some of England’s younger players with one eye on South Africa 2010.
With that in mind Tom Mallows takes a look at some uncapped youngsters whose recent performances may have forced themselves into Capello’s thoughts.....
Leighton Baines
An attacking full-back, Baines’ form at Wigan earned him a big money move to Everton in 2007. But he struggled in his early Everton career and soon found himself out of the team. However he has found himself back into contention recently and has played his part in Everton’s defensive resurgence.
Fabian Delph
The Bradford born youngster has established himself in the Leeds team this season and has earned a reputation as a creative attacking midfielder with an eye for goal. He has already been linked with a move to the Premier League and the football odds suggest he will eventually make a big money transfer. Capello may want to have a closer look at him.
Michael Mancienne
The Chelsea youngster’s form while on loan to Wolves earned him a call up to Capello’s squad for the friendly in Germany last year. He has since been recalled by the Londoners and if he can match his form for Wolves for his parent club, a first cap will not be far away.
Lee Cattermole
A regular for the under 21s he has played a key role in Wigan’s surge up the Premier League table since signing from Middlesbrough last sumer summer. England is blessed with central midfielders though so he may have to be patient and wait for his chance.
James Milner
Is this the year Milner finally gets that first cap? Since making his Leeds debut aged 16 Milner has racked up over 200 first team appearances and is England Under-21s most capped player. Named by Fabio Capello as one for the future and in sparkling form for high flying Aston Villa, he is almost certain of a call-up next month.
Steven Taylor
Newcastle defender Taylor has remained a consistent and loyal figure in the Magpies team despite their slide down the Premier League table. He captained the Under 21 side at the European Chaminships in 2007 and has made an appearance for the England B team. He can’t be far away from a full call up - Newcastle fans will hope he is still a Magpies player when he does get the nod.
Jamie O’Hara
Spurs midfielder O’Hara only made his Under 21 debut early last year but he has since become a regular in the both the Under 21 side and the Spurs squad ever since. As well as central midfield O’Hara can play at left back or left midfield - His versatility may tempt Capello to call him up.
Do you agree with Tom? Who else should be in Capello's squad? Please leave your comments below.
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Belarus 1 England 3
Four wins out of four and the best ever start to a qualification campaign, made even more impressive based on 3 away wins with one coming against the highly rated Croatian team.
Bring on the next game!!!
Bring on the next game!!!
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
The boos for Ashley Cole v Kazakhstan
OK a bad "pass" leading to a goal, was the booing justified? Our opinion is that it was not. Support the team during the 90 minutes and then debate or pass judgement later
Sunday, 5 October 2008
England v Kazakhstan tickets sold out!
All tickets for England v Kazakhstan are sold out. Is this in response to the 2 away wins in the qualification stage for the World Cup? Or is it because it is the only fixture in the near future to be played on a Saturday. Either way a full house should be just the ticket for a third win!
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Monday, 1 September 2008
Squad for Andorra and Croatia
Injuries ruling out Owen Hargreaves, Steven Gerrard and Michael Carrick. And Crouch and Owen are left out.
Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard is called up for the first time and there is also a place for West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green.
Full squad is here.
Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard is called up for the first time and there is also a place for West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green.
Full squad is here.
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