World Cup 2010 News: England

Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Algeria, Slovenia eye big chance after USA, England draw

Algeria and Slovenia open their World Cup Group C schedules on Sunday under a ton of pressure for a result.

Both clubs are underdogs to advance past England and the USA in the group, meaning getting off to a good start in the opener is imperative.

"In football you never know," Algeria midfielder Hassan Yebda told fifa.com. "We will do our best and play the first game against Slovenia and try to win. The first game is very, very important, if we can win it will be better for us. Slovenia though have a good team."

While Algeria is gearing up for just its third-ever World Cup, a familiar face is leading the way.

Coach Rabah Saadane, who also coached the team 24 years ago in its last World Cup appearance in Mexico, is at the helm again - for the fifth time - and it will take all his wisdom to get the Desert Foxes to the knockout stage.

On the field, midfielder Karim Ziani will be the key, not only against Slovenia on Sunday, but for the entire tournament. The playmaker plies his trade with German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, and he has the versatility to pull the strings in the middle of the field, or shift out wide in a more indirect attacking role.

England keeper Rob Green howler rescues a point for USA

Just as South Africa opened their World Cup with a goal that will be remembered forever, so England, as is their wont, contrived to open theirs with a goalkeeping blunder that will never be forgotten. No sooner had Fabio Capello placed his confidence in Robert Green than his judgment was mocked by the sort of bungle no professional footballer can comfortably watch, an unforced error that allowed the USA back into a game on which England appeared to have a comfortable grip after Steven Gerrard's early goal.

Although Green will inevitably carry the can for this disappointment, in truth it was not a great England performance, just a great start. The American goal may have been a fluke, yet it came about because England were defending too deep and allowing their opponents to take pot shots. Far too little was seen of England's attacking players – Capello even turned to Peter Crouch before the end – to place all the blame on the goalkeeper.

Capello, true to his word, had kept everyone guessing right up to the last minute with his line-up, though there were no real surprises once it was understood that the Italian was not about to mess around with the system and selections that had proved so successful in qualifying on the basis of late claims made in inconsequential friendlies.

So Green retained his place as goalkeeper after all, just as Capello had promised. James Milner, who has consistently appeared in competitive games for Capello, was preferred on the left wing to Joe Cole, who has not. And Emile Heskey, on the back of three Premier League goals last season, was invited to resume as Wayne Rooney's gofer.

Madjid Bougherra talks positive on Algeria's World Cup adventure.

Algeria will play the first match of their third World Cup against Slovenia on Sunday but their players already have an eye on their second Group C match, against England.

The Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra said today that his experience in British football would help him to deal with the likes of Wayne Rooney when Algeria meet England at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town next Friday night. The centre-back, who has played for Crewe Alexandra, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday, has also played European football with the Scottish champions.

"It can help me," said Bougherra of his experience in Britain. "I play in a big team, I played Champions League so I have learned a mentality change – I want to win every game."

David Beckham reaction to Rob Green's blunder...Classic

Friday, 11 June 2010

Steven Gerrard's determination can see England through to Victory

Steven Gerrard said he accepted the captain’s armband for this World Cup with a certain degree of ambivalence last week. But it was more complicated than his initial response to such questions suggested on Thursday.

More than simply a mixture of disappointment for Rio Ferdinand and delight for himself. Thrown in is the pressure he seems to put on himself. The kind of pressure he sometimes gives the impression he would rather not have.

It came across like that as the conversation developed. In particular, after he was asked how he would avoid the captaincy becoming a burden.

Focussed: England captain Steven Gerrard delivered an inspirational performance to the world's media on the eve of the World Cup

‘By enjoying it,’ he said. ‘I think the people around me won’t allow me to let it be a burden. I’ve got to use it as a motivation rather than a burden.’

The people around Gerrard clearly know him well. They know how seriously he takes such responsibility and how much he will want to prove himself a success.

Altidore is fight to face England

United States coach Bob Bradley has confirmed Hull flop Jozy Altidore will start against England in Saturday's World Cup clash in Rustenburg.

Altidore netted only one goal for the Tigers last season when on loan from Villarreal.

But the 20-year-old will face Fabio Capello's side after recovering from an ankle injury which kept him out of last weekend's friendly win over Australia.

Altidore was USA's leading scorer during their qualification campaign with six goals.

Bradley said: "It was an important year for Jose. Any player that has gone to the Premier League finds out about the level and the competitiveness.

"But I think he grew a lot at Hull and the one thing I would always say about Jose, from our experiences with him, is when he's come into our camps he's shown that, when things don't come easily it's helped him.

Capello warns Rooney over his temperament

England manager Fabio Capello has confirmed he has spoken with Wayne Rooney following concerns over his temperament.

Rooney came in for criticism after he was booked against Platinum Stars on Monday for an outburst at the referee.

The Manchester United's actions sparked fears of a repeat dismissal at this summer's World Cup after his red mist in Germany four years ago.

Capello said: "Wayne Rooney played all the qualifying games for the World Cup and had no problems with the referees.

"I hope we see the same Rooney during the World Cup.

Thursday, 3 June 2010

USA on a $1m a man bonus to win World Cup

Each of the 23 players will collect £617,332 should they become the most unlikely winners in World Cup history, easily outstripping the £500,000-a-man on offer to Spain should Fernando Torres and co lift the trophy.

England's win bonus pool is kept confidential by the FA, but is believed to be in the region of £400-500,000 per player - but the entire England squad will donate all match fees to charity.

Brazil will offer each of their players around £250,000 for a win, while Germany will hand out £212,000 per man.

Yet the USA bonus is not dependent on overall victory: the players will share up to £1.1m in the group stage, a further £1.95m if they qualify for the last 16, £2.3m should they reach the quarter-finals and another £1.8m for making the semis. Should they make the final, they will then earn a further £4.7m, rising to £5.3m if they finish the job.

The money itself will come from FIFA, who pay the winners £21.4m in prize money, with £16.6m for the runners-up. Prize money then tapers off, but all teams participating in the finals are guaranteed a minimum of £5.5m.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

England jet off to South Africa tonight

The English team arrive at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport on Thursday morning before heading north-west to their World Cup base in Rustenburg.

The newly built multi-million pound Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus will be England's home during the tournament.

Capello signed a new deal on Wednesday committing him to the role until 2012.

The Italian had been linked with a move to Inter Milan, while Lord Triesman's recent departure as the Football Association's chairman was reported to have unsettled him.

But Capello signed an amended deal which removed the break clause allowing either party to end the contract after the World Cup.

The news provided a fresh angle for England fans after the unexpected story of Arsenal winger Theo Walcott's omission from the final squad.

The 21-year-old was named in the starting line-up of both of England's recent friendly victories against Mexico and Japan, but his performances were not enough to convince Capello of a World Cup place.

Monday, 31 May 2010

Mexico are rampant against a weak Gambia

Manchester United-bound striker Javier Hernandez and Adolfo Bautista each netted twice as Mexico completed their FIFA World Cup™ preparations with a hansome win over Gambia in Bayreuth, Germany.

Having lost successive friendlies to England and the Netherlands, Mexico needed a morale-boosting result and delivered in emphatic fashion.

Gambia kept the deficit to 1-0 at half-time, Hernandez's 18th-minute opener the only goal, but there was a rush of activity in the second period.

Ebrima Bohna made it 3-1 after Hernandez's second and Bautista's first had swelled Mexico's advantage.

Alberton Medina wrapped things up nine minutes from time, shortly after Bautista completed his brace.

Superior Japan suffer unlucky loss to England.

Fabio Capello's preparation for the World Cup suffered a slight knock as England found themselves struggling against a rampant Japan.

England started sloppily and were punished after six minutes when Marcus Tulio Tanaka met Yasuhito Endo's corner and crashed the ball past David James.

Frank Lampard had a penalty saved before England levelled when Tanaka headed Joe Cole's cross in his own net.

And England stole the win when Yuji Nakazawa turned Ashley Cole's ball in.

England boss Fabio Capello will trim his squad from the provisional 30 to a 23-man World Cup party on Tuesday and after the match the Italian revealed he had made his mind up who would be selected - but would not share the information.

Sunday, 30 May 2010

Japan face tough test against England today.

For England's Manager Fabio Capello it is the last in a series of positive warm up games, but for his Japanese opposite number Takeshi Okada it is another in a what has been a tough warm up series.

Following a poor show by Japan in a 2-0 defeat to arch rivals South Korea in a friendly match on 24 May, Japanese coach Takeshi Okada is now under pressure. He was severely criticized by Japanese media, but Motoaki Inukai, the president of Japan Football Association, asked the coach to continue his job till the world cup 2010.

The upcoming friendly match against England is now seen as a big challenge for Japanese coach who could have been sacked following Japan’s defeat to South Korea unless there was world cup coming up next. Japan will face England on 30 May 2010 in Austria.

South Korea dominated over Japan throughout the match with captain Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young scoring for the visitors. Japanese media reacted very strongly blaming the coach’s irresponsibility.

On Tuesday, England clinched a 3-1 victory over Mexico at the Wembley stadium in London, but the Three Lions were not as impressive as the score line may suggest. Mexico, in fact, outperformed England in terms of ball possession.

However, England striker Wayne Rooney has assured that they would come back strongly against Japan. Captain Rio Ferdinand also voiced the same. English players would like to give their best against Japan as this is apparently their last chance to claim a place in the final 23-man squad.

So, Japan can expect a more determined England with the players looking to impress coach Fabio Capello. As a result, Takeshi Okada and his team may face tougher challenge from England than what they experience against South Korea at home.

Capello ready to wait on injured Gareth Barry

Fabio Capello has said he is ready to take a risk on Gareth Barry despite the mid fielders injury.

Fabio Capello is prepared to wait until the last possible moment before deciding whether to include Gareth Barry in his final squad for the World Cup after a scan on his ankle injury yesterday proved inconclusive.

Capello had expected the examination to yield a definitive verdict, but the specialist indicated that it was too early to say whether the Manchester City midfield player’s injury would heal in time for him to play a significant role in the finals.

Barry, who has started 19 of Capello’s 23 games in charge, will be given as
long as possible to prove his fitness before the England manager names his final 23-man squad next Tuesday. The 29-year-old has undergone oxygen treatment, injections and soft-tissue massage in the hope of accelerating his recovery since he suffered the injury to his right ankle in City’s penultimate game of the Barclays Premier League season, at home to Tottenham Hotspur on May 5, but so far his only running has been on a water treadmill.

Barry will not join the rest of the England squad when they fly back to Irdning, Austria, today for the second part of their training camp. He will be assessed again in London at the weekend, with Capello looking for reassurances that, even if the player is not fit in time to feature in the opening game against the United States on June 12, he can play some part in the remaining group matches.

Franco Baldini, the England general manager, was in Hartford, Connecticut, to watch the United States in their warm-up match last night against the Czech Republic. A member of Capello’s staff will watch Algeria, another of England’s group opponents, when they play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Capello has still to determine David Beckham’s role in South Africa. Beckham,
the former captain, was invited to stay with the squad after being ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles tendon injury in March, but he will not link up with the team until they depart for the tournament on June 2.

Algeria have a lot of work to do after Irish defeat

Algeria has to go back to the drawing board after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Ireland in their latest friendly.

The euphoria of qualifying at the expense of bitter rivals Egypt has now turned into a cold reality for the Desert Foxes.

There is serious work to be done if they want to prevent their stay in South Africa from being a brief and painful one.

Saadane's decision to delay his team's first World Cup warm-up until just a fortnight before kick-off now appears to have been misguided as his team looked rusty and disorganised in Dublin.

And the coach acknowledged afterwards that his team has much to do to avoid defeat in South Africa, not least at the hands of England, and improve on their abject performance against an Irish side who have not qualified for the World Cup.

Thursday, 13 May 2010

The USA names 30 man squad for South Africa 2010.

Coach Bob Bradley names 30 man squad for South Africa 2010.

USA coach Bob Bradley has named his provisional 30 man squad from which he will select the final 23 men to travel to South Africa for this summer’s 2010 World Cup.

The coach has included a host of players based in Europe, including an all Barclays Premier League selection of three goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard and Marcus Hahnemann.

USA face England, Slovenia and Algeria in Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Squad: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves); Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham); DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jose Torres (Pachuca); Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Slovenia names 30-man World Cup provisional squad named.

Slovenia has named a 30 man provisional squad for the coming World Cup.

The Slovenia coach, Matjaz Kek, has named his 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup finals.

Slovenia who are in Group C alongside England, Algeria and the USA, must submit a final squad of 23 players on or before 1 June.

Robert Koren, the West Bromwich Albion midfielder, is Slovenia's only British-based player.

"I'm particularly happy about the last report from South Africa where the training headquarters of the Slovenian team, including an excellent pitch, are already waiting," Kek said in a statement.

The team qualified for the World Cup by ousting Russia in a big upset in the November playoffs on away goals. With a population of two million, Slovenia will be the smallest nation at the tournament.

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam), Jan Koprivec (Maribor).

Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor).

Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Rene Krhin (Internazionale), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre).

Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional), Miran Burgic (AIK), Tim Matavz (Groningen).

Sunday, 2 May 2010

Eriksson looks forward to return bout with Portugal

Ivory Coast's new manager Sven Goran Eriksson is looking forward to facing Portugal again in the World Cup bringing back memories of the the last time he faced them as the then manager of England.

Portugal defeated Eriksson's England on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 before doing the same two years later in a controversial World Cup contest which saw Wayne Rooney sent off.

The Ivory Coast kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal before facing Brazil and North Korea and, while Eriksson recognises the importance of their first match, he claims he will not be thinking of his England days.

"Brazil is favourite to win the group and second should be us or Portugal or North Korea on paper," Eriksson told Press Association Sport. "But that's on paper.

"But the first match for us is really important. There's no sense of revenge, this time it can't be penalty shoot-outs that's for sure.

"I'm looking forward to that but first we have to start the preparation and it's still far away. But it's important."

Despite being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' Eriksson insists a quarter-final spot is their target and is not even considering failing to progress from their pool.

He said: "To go through would be a success from a group like that.

"If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team, for the Ivory Coast. That's the first target.

Monday, 5 April 2010

Darren Bent in search of World Cup spot

Darren Bent is cautious about winning a spot on England's World Cup squad despite his red hot form for Sunderland. Bent's 22 goals put him behind only Didiier Drogba (25) and Wayne Rooney (26) in the English Premier League scorers chart.

Sunderland striker Darren Bent scored twice against Tottenham Hotspur to take his goal tally to 23 this season but he has no illusions about his chances of winning an England place for the World Cup finals.

Bent missed out on a place in the squad for the 2006 World Cup finals but his good form will have been noted by England coach Fabio Capello.

Bent had an afternoon to remember against his former club on Saturday as Sunderland ended Spurs's five-match winning Premier League run with a 3-1 victory.

He opened the scoring with the season's fastest Premier League goal after 36 seconds, made it 2-0 from the penalty spot 20 minutes later then saw his former team-mate Heurelho Gomes save his next two penalties.

Only Wayne Rooney of Manchester United (26 goals) and Didier Drogba (25) have scored more times in the league than Bent this season.

Although he has scored more than England's other World Cup striker hopefuls -- Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole -- the 24-year-old Bent is keeping an open mind about his chances of being selected when Capello names his 23-man squad at the beginning of June.

Thursday, 1 April 2010

Rooney Injury scare is a sprain.

England and Manchester United breathed as sigh of relief as scans show Wayne Rooney's injury is not as bad as feared.

The nation had held its breath for 19 agonising hours.

But last night England's prayers seemed to have been answered.

And all the signs are that super-striker Wayne Rooney will be OK for the World Cup, despite a painful ankle injury.

Experts believe he has nothing more than a bad sprain - and could even be back in action within two to four weeks The Man United ace, 24, had looked worried and drawn after flying back from Germany after twisting his right ankle in Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

It was feared he could join David Beckham and Ashley Cole on England's World Cup injury list.

But as he emerged after a scan at Bridgewater hospital in Whalley Range, Manchester, just before 5pm yesterday his relieved smile appeared to confirm that all was well.

United and England team medics were still waiting last night for the official results of the s c a n. B u t insiders say they are confident the injury will not keep him out of the game for long.

It is the second time Rooney has kept England fans on tenterhooks.

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

World Cup fears for England as Rooney is injured .

Wayne Rooney hobbled off the pitch in tonight's Champions league match between Manchester United and Bayern Munich and England fans will be hoping the injury is not a repeat of the injury he suffered before the last World Cup in 2006.

It was double blow for Manchester United as they lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but also lost their key striker Wayne Rooney during the game.

The England striker collapsed in agony, holding his right ankle after falling awkwardly after Mario Gomez appeared to tread on his left foot.

Rooney immediately signalled to the United bench that he had to come off the field.

Afterwards United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he thought it was a bad ankle sprain and he was likely to miss Saturday's showdown with title rivals Chelsea.

England manager Fabio Capello also faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury.

England midfielder David Beckham has already been ruled out of this summer's tournament in South Africa with an ankle injury.

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