The English squad are heading over to South Africa for their 14th appearance in a World Cup, and will be hoping to take home the silverware on the 11th of July for the first time since 1966. Always heading into international tournaments among the favourites, this year is no different for them, but can the Three Lions deliver this year is the question.
Regarded as the ‘golden generation’, this year will be the last attempt many of the England stars have at taking home a title.
Regarded as the ‘golden generation’ with some of the sport’s biggest names, this year will be the last attempt many of the stars have at taking home a title and finally giving the passionate English fans what they want. The conditions should suit the English players – as the tournament goes ahead in cooler temperatures, and with coach Fabio Capello signing on with the nation through until 2010 – the squad have no excuses mentally.
England absolutely powered their way through to South Africa, losing just one game in the ten-match campaign, which was to Ukraine after they had already qualified. Booting a fantastic 34 goals, the side emerged from the European zone as the highest goal scorers in the qualification process.
The Three Lions were drawn in Group C for the 2010 World Cup, where they will play the USA, Algeria and Slovenia for a spot in the knockout stage of the competition. The Americans are the team most probable to provide the biggest threat to the English, and will most likely play Serbia in the round of 16 if all goes according to the stats, or it could be an English – Germany battle early on. England went into the 2006 World Cup hoping to emerge champions but failed at the quarterfinal stage – so will hope to do better in South Africa.
England’s Group C Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 7 | 12.06.10 | England V USA | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg | 20.30 | 04.30 (13.06.10) |
| 24 | 18.06.10 | England V Algeria | Green Point Stadium, Cape Town | 20.30 | 04.30 (19.06.10) |
| 39 | 23.06.10 | Slovenia V England | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | 16.00 | 00.00 (24.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
STEVEN GERRARD (CAPTAIN)
Born: 30.05.1980 in Whiston, England
Height: 1.83 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Liverpool
International Debut: Vs Ukraine (31.05.2000)
Steven Gerrard is one of a few players England posses who can dominate a midfield with his sheer talent and game reading ability, and due to an injured Rio Ferdinand being ruled out of the 2010 World Cup, Gerrard will undertake the esteemed role of England Captain – a title he will certainly revel under. The English winger was the nation’s top goal scorer at the 2006 World Cup, and did not make it to the 2002 World Cup due to a groin injury, despite scoring in the qualification campaign. He is an instrumental player for England who can set up goals, strike well and puts in the hard yards on the pitch.
FRANK LAMPARD
Born: 20.06.1978 in Romford, England
Height: 1.84 metres
Position: Midfield
Club: Chelsea FC, English Premier League
International Debut: Vs Belgium (10.10.1999)
Frank Lampard has been fantastic for England, and a permanent fixture in the line up since Euro 2004, scoring four goals in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup. The duo of the Chelsea midfielder and Steven Gerrard, when on form can be devastating to any opponent with the two considered by many to be two of the best midfielders in the world. This year Lampard was awarded the 2010 FWA Tribute Award which is given to the person considered to either have played the best football over the previous season or contributed the most to the sport, with Frank Lampard’s name going down in history with some of the greatest such as David Beckham, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
WAYNE ROONEY
Born: 24.10.1985 in Croxteth, England
Height: 1.78 metres
Position: Forward
Club: Manchester United, English Premier League
International Debut: Vs Australia (12.04.2003)
Wayne Rooney has been England’s powerhouse force up front showing absolute grit and determination in the qualification process by booting a fantastic nine goals in as many matches. The striker was a part of the 2006 World Cup as he overcame a foot injury to make the finals – and controversially ended the tournament with a red card against his then domestic teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, so will certainly hope to leave a different impression in South Africa. Rooney has the weight of a nation resting on his shoulders with the ability to make his own chances, and will threaten any opposition the England side face.
ENGLISH SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Fabio CAPELLO |
| Goalkeepers | Robert GREEN |
| Joe HART | |
| David JAMES | |
| Defenders | Jamie CARRAGHER |
| Ashley COLE | |
| Rio FERDINAND | |
| Glen JOHNSON | |
| Ledley KING | |
| John TERRY | |
| Matthew UPSON | |
| Stephen WARNOCK | |
| Midfielders | Gareth BARRY |
| Michael CARRICK | |
| Joe COLE | |
| Steven GERRARD | |
| Frank LAMPARD | |
| Aaron LENNON | |
| James MILNER | |
| Forwards | Peter CROUCH |
| Jermain DEFOE | |
| Emile HESKEY | |
| Wayne ROONEY |
