England
Rank: 11 World Cup appearances: Best result: Top SCORERS Did you know? Geoff Hurst scored the only hattrick in a World Cup final and the commentary on his final goal - "some people are on the pitch ... they think it's all over ... it is now" - remains a famous line. |
One of the most telling moments of England's build-up to the World Cup came off the pitch, away from the players, crowds and live TV cameras on the night of a laboured 1-0 win over Denmark in their final Wembley warm-up.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen, completing his post-match news conference turned back to the mass of reporters as he left the auditorium and shouted: "Good luck in the World Cup -- you need it!"
As well as producing howls of spontaneous laughter, it crystallised in nine words what most people think about England's return to the land of their greatest soccer humiliation -- it is doomed to failure. Even the chairman of the Football Association Greg Dyke does not appear to think much of their chances. At the draw for the finals in December, when England were grouped with four-times champions Italy, twice winners Uruguay and stubborn Central American middleweights Costa Rica, Dyke was caught on camera making a throat-slitting gesture.
For once the hyperbole that normally surrounds England's chances ahead of major tournaments has been muted and it would surprise few if they left with the other first-stage fallers before the knockout stages.
Under Hodgson, England play with relative caution based on a solid defence, but when Hodgson picked winger Andros Townsend against Montenegro in their penultimate qualifier, they played with a refreshing attacking verve in a 4-1 victory.
However, no European side has won the World Cup in South America. For England to do so, would require an enormous surge of self-belief that is probably beyond them.
STRENGTH
Back four
Conceding only 4 goals in their qualifying round is a testament to the solid back four England has established. They appear reasonably assured in defence where Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka look to have succeeded John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the center. Goalkeeper Joe Hart as well is usually hard to beat.
Fresh faces
The squad is full of exciting young talents such as Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, Arsenal pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the injury-prone Jack Wilshere as well as promising Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw. England has established a well balance of veterans with the youngsters who will be determined to prove their worth.
WEAKNESS
Mindset
With England, it's always going to be about whether they have the confidence to go toe-to-toe with the opponent or simply shrink into a shell and hope for the best.
ONE TO WATCH
Wayne Rooney
More than a decade after he made his England debut as a fearless and prodigiously talented teenaged tearaway, it is still hard to find a consensus on Wayne Rooney's value to his country. What is clear is, that at the age of 28 and with 89 caps and 38 goals behind him, Rooney owes England a big World Cup in Brazil. He is still waiting for his first World Cup goal. On the other hand he is closing in on two landmarks- he is 12 matches away from playing 100 times for England and 12 goals away from beating former Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton's long-standing national record of 49 goals.
Naturally, England have cause for concern when Rooney is injured before a major tournament. He has often taken time to regain full fitness, and a World Cup finals is not the arena in which to play your way back into form.
Coach: Roy Hodgeson
In the year that England enjoyed their greatest soccer success by winning the World Cup in 1966, one young Englishman was facing an altogether uncertain future after being released by his club without making the grade as a professional.
That man was current England coach Roy Hodgson who now faces the difficult task of getting it just right if his team are to win the World Cup for the first time since Crystal Palace cast him adrift almost half-a-century ago.
He must decide whether to allow England's young players to cut loose and express their attacking talents or to adopt a more measured and conservative approach.
What is certain is that Hodgson is in a relatively enviable position as he becomes the first English coach to lead England at a World Cup since Glenn Hoddle in France 16 years ago.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Ben Foster (WBA), Fraser Forster (Celtic)
Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Man United), Chris Smalling (Man United), Leighton Baines (Everton), Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), James Milner (Man City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Ross Barkley (Everton)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Rickie Lambert (Southampton)
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