Fabio Capello has told his England stars that reaching the World Cup final is the least he expects from them in South Africa next year.
Capello's side booked their place at the 2010 World Cup with a 5-1 demolition of Croatia at Wembley in midweek.
That victory maintained England's 100 percent record in the qualifying stages and raised the possibility of completing the campaign with a perfect 10 wins from 10 matches.
Such a successful run has boosted Capello's belief that England are ready to make a major impact on the tournament they won for the only time in 1966.
England have often fallen at the quarter-final stage of international competitions in the last 20 years, but Capello is eying a place in the final at Soccer City on July 11.
"Playing in the final would be success," he said. "For now, playing in it will do, rather than winning it. But if people are asking me what my aspiration is, then it is to reach the final.