This post has been edited by unknown: Jun 5 2011, 03:40 AM

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Dubbed English football's ‘golden generation', only to fall flat at UEFA EURO 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, South Africa 2010 may well be the last chance of international silverware for some of the most well-known faces in the world game.

However, he appointment of Fabio Capello appears to have brought fresh vigour to the Three Lions' squad, many of whom have a point to prove after lacklustre displays when it mattered most under Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren. With the tournament due to take place in the South African winter, conditions which should suit the English players and style, so excuses will be at a premium should Wayne Rooney and Co fall short once more.

The road to South Africa
Following the disappointment of missing out on a place at the UEFA EURO 2008, England bounced back in emphatic fashion in qualifying for South Africa. Indeed, they stormed to no fewer than nine wins from ten Group 6 games, scoring a European Zone high of 34 goals in the process, with their only defeat coming in Ukraine with qualification already secured.

The star players
Leading from the front in terms of both goals and commitment was Manchester United forward Rooney, who responded to shouldering the main responsibility for England's attacking threat by finding the net nine times in as many games. Also chipping in were midfield duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who hit four and three goals respectively. Rangy front-man Peter Crouch certainly made the most of limited opportunities by grabbing four goals in as many appearances, while Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe underlined his finishing prowess with three strikes in just 135 minutes on the field.

The coach
Winner of Serie A with AC Milan, AS Roma and Juventus, as well as a two-time La Liga champion at Real Madrid, Italian disciplinarian Capello wasted little time in instilling a renewed work ethic and squad spirit in an England squad packed with big-name stars and equally large egos. Qualification for South Africa 2010 with two games to spare and a solitary competitive defeat speak volumes for Capello's impact in his relatively short time in charge.

Previous FIFA World Cups
England have appeared at 11 previous editions of the global showpiece, including their debut at Brazil 1950. Victors on home soil in 1966, their best performance outside their own shores came under the late Sir Bobby Robson at Italy 1990, when a side featuring the likes of Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and David Platt reached the last four only to lose out on penalties to eventual winners West Germany.

Records
The 1-0 loss in Ukraine on 10 October 2009 ended a run of ten consecutive victories in FIFA World Cup qualification, which England had begun with a 1-0 win over Austria in Manchester on 8 October 2005.

The Three Lions' leading scorer in qualifying, Wayne Rooney, was at his most dangerous between the 72nd and 76th minutes of play, during which period he scored no fewer than four times.

What they said
"I think we've put the record straight, to some extent. Since the manager arrived, there has been nothing but hard work, our confidence has come on a million miles in the way the team is playing. Today typified everything about us in this campaign. It is the first step and we've qualified now but there's still a long way to go." England midfielder Frank Lampard, following the 5-1 home win over Croatia which sealed qualification for South Africa 2010.


This post has been edited by unknown: Jun 5 2010, 03:13 PM

go england

New Captain , New Thread

-EDIT-

This post has been edited by liez: Feb 9 2010, 01:16 AM

Go Go England...May Rio Lead England To WC2010 Finals!

England may bring back World Cup Glory with Rio leading the Nation this time.

Hopefully.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...3888&ver=global

left back problems now?

lol i just read that too.
and ferdinand is also out...not forgetting johnson too.
so yea...next week england has as much chance as winning against egypt as LFC does against unirea tonite

It gets better

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...5979796,00.html

PS. I wonder if Terry is big enough a man (as opposed to being a manly stud ) and also exclude himself from the team on account of being "untenable and potentially divisive".

He has been punished already so it is not something the FA should do, but giving up your world cup dreams for an ex close friend you've sorta betrayed is what a good man would do. And something that will earn him a bucketload of brownie points.

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Added on February 25, 2010, 8:58 pmPPS. Perhaps "Have you had sex with any other footballers WAG, both past and present?" should be a standard question on the kapitan selection interviews eh?

This post has been edited by madmoz: Feb 25 2010, 08:58 PM

peter crouch must be very worried right now

Terry Pawnz Bridge lolz...

imo waybe bridge is being a cry baby.
after all it was his EX...so shes open target for anyone...its just too bad terry was the one targetting.
if wayne was man enough to not break up or anything...well...hes obviously not man enough anyway since hes even ditching the england team.

Poor Bridge, he's not even his wife first choice defender

was wondering about that too... the affair happened AFTER they broke up, no? Why the huhah? Perhaps we are missing some details?

i think maybe he broke the relationship after he learnt the affair between him and Terry, probably hid it from media to prevent more trouble. My thoughts is the only reason Bridge is dimmed to be the one that is wrong here is because he is simply not the first choice of England. Obviously, Ashley Cole is going to sapu that spot and all he can do is to sit at the bench and hope to lift the cup. Perhaps, if it was someone more important to the team, maybe Frank Lampard or Gerrard. What would make it then? Would Lampard be the wrong one if he pulls out of the team for this affair? Or would the blame be on Terry to be dropped off the England's squad to allow Frank Lampard back in to the squad?

In this case i support Bridge. Maybe he should hold on to his football's ethic and put his affair aside and join the England squad, but frankly, if u found out ur best friend is having affair with the mother of your child, would u even want to see him again?

icy, you must know, some people will just blatantly defend the players from their club team. they can BS all the world and say terry is not wrong or whatever in this case

HOWEVER, in my opinion, in this case, its talking about the pride of your country, in helping your country. Bridge should act more professional, and not drag in personal matter (although its huge) into it, and neither terry should do so

HOWEVER AGAIN, that terry should just give up is kapitan armband willingly by himself, and NOT WAIT until the manager ask him to do so, but that is old story so forget it.

I think England should play Rooney as lone striker in their world cup campaign. Rooney seems comfortable with that role in Man Utd now. England had some good midfielder but only have 1 good striker. England had no chance to win the world cup if play with 4-4-2 especially against strong team like Spain, Brazil and Germany.

4-5-1 with Rooney against big team and 4-4-2 in the others, Rooney partner Heskey, or maybe Rooney Crouch. Dont think both Defoe and Rooney can be partnered coz both also wan to play finisher judging from their scoring record in PL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8541108.stm