Complacency the enemy for Capello’s England
December 8th, 2009 by Phil Lythell
England will arrive in South Africa for the FIFA World Cup next summer with the expectation of a nation on their shoulders.
Hopes are always ludicrously high whenever England go to a major tournament but with a born winner like Fabio Capello at the helm and a near flawless record in qualifying, the clamour for ultimate glory will reach fever pitch.
A draw that has to be seen as favourable if not exactly straightforward – contrary to what the tabloids would have you believe – sees England play the USA in Rustenburg on June 12th in what looks to be the heavyweight clash in Group C. That match should determine who tops the group but Capello’s men should remember the anti-climax that was Germany 2006 and the unmitigated disaster that was their absence from Euro 2008 before assuming their place in the second round is guaranteed, let alone the final.
England are the clear favourites to lead the way but don’t forget that the USA actually went further than them in 2002 when they reached the last four. They did however end up bottom of a tough group in 2006, something they will not want to repeat.
Algeria will be more difficult than many observers give them credit for. Having successfully negotiated a playoff against arch-rivals Egypt to get to South Africa they will be desperate to give a good account of themselves when they make their first appearance in the World Cup since 1986. They will not lack for raw talent though it could be their discipline and organisation that lets them down.
Slovenia are the real dark horses in this group. For all the talk of England and USA, it must be noted that it was the tiny former Yugoslav republic that disposed of a Russia team managed by the imperious Guus Hiddink in a two-legged playoff. They will be taking part in their second World Cup and they will be aiming to improve markedly on their performance in 2002 when they failed to gain a single point.
Prediction: England to qualify with maximum points and the USA to pip Slovenia to second place.
