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Thursday, June 08, 2006

Caution: Entire post is about the World Cup, Non-England/Non-world cup watchers will be bored. :D My apologies.

The England World Cup squad stands thus:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (1), David James (13), Scott Carson (22)

Defenders: Gary Neville (2), Ashley Cole (3), Rio Ferdinand (5), John Terry (6), Sol Campbell (12), Wayne Bridge (14), Jamie Carragher (15)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (4), David Beckham (7), Frank Lampard (8), Joe Cole (11), Owen Hargreaves (12), Jermaine Jenas (17), Michael Carrick (18), Aaron Lennon (19), Stewart Downing (20)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (9), Michael Owen (10), Peter Crouch (21), Theo Walcott (23)

I personally support England (duh). If you don't know that by now... well. hehe. However, I think that the countries that will be in top four this year will be Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Japan. France, Italy and Spain are obvious strong contenders as well, but I think that they're past history. The pace that they play at isn't fast enough for them to beat the other teams, and they lack that extra bounce. They have good players, and play well together, but to me, they lack that finishing touch. For example, France may have topped their group in the Qualifying rounds, but they only won 5 out of 10 games, 2 points above Switzerland. They didn't lose any matches, but they drew half! Italy did well too, seven out of ten matches won. But then again their group wasn't exceptionally difficult, and looking at the scores, they only won by one,occasionally two goal differences. Spain clinched second place in group standings, two points behind Serbia & Montengero.

The 'new' teams, countries that have not qualified for some time, may be new sparks, but I'm doubtful they'll get past the quater finals. Australia may have a good chance, but the thing that these countries lack is experience in playing with countries like Brazil and England. The pace is different. But hey, you never know!

England, although has a team of superb, world class players, probably won't win. Their case, the

way I see it, is that they have that extra skill, but they don't always finish well. They play at an awesome pace, but sometimes they get all these chances and can't deliver. Also, most players are from the EPL, and their style of play is very similiar. I think. Depends on the managing, I suppose. If they can find a balance for all kinds of play, they'll probably do well. Eriksson didn't do so in the qualifying rounds though, but the last two friendly matches were well played, so we'll see! Midfield is probably England's strongest area; different kinds of play for all. Actually, when you look at the players that make up the Three Lions, you can't really see how they can lose. I think they basically can't finish, and sometimes, their defence slacks off, leaving gaps. But if they can keep it together, they have a good chance. I think.

Just some musings... I'm probably wrong anyway.:D

1 day, 6 hours, 49 mins and 55 secs to Fifa World Cup 2006 FINALS!!

[ T-ray* ] blogged @ 1:49 AM