England ready to write the golden generation
It has been long since England lifted the World Cup trophy on home soil in 1966. But the present bunch of players is being dubbed as English football's ‘golden generation.'
Though they fell flat at UEFA EURO 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, South Africa 2010 may well be the last chance of international silverware for some of the most well-known faces in the world game.
But a healthy Wayne Rooney will be the key to the English's chances at South Africa 2010 - along with coach Fabio Capello finding the right mix of talent.
Rooney struggled through the end of the club season with an ankle injury and a groin issue. But the Manchester United star feels his couple of weeks away from the pitch could be a benefit when England head to South Africa.
"If there's any consolation I'll probably be fresher for the World Cup, which will be good for me," Rooney recently said. The 24-year-old forward believes the English team is deep and capable of finally winning another World Cup crown.
"We have a lot of world-class players in the team and a great manager. If I get injured then so be it, there are other players there to do the job ... Success in South Africa would be to win the trophy. We've definitely got a good enough squad to do that," Rooney said.
Capello appears to have brought fresh vigour to the Three Lions' squad, many of whom have a point to prove after lacklustre displays when it mattered most under Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.
With the tournament due to take place in the South African winter, conditions which should suit the English players and style, excuses will be at a premium should Wayne Rooney and Co fall short once more.
Following the disappointment of missing out on a place at the UEFA EURO 2008, England bounced back in emphatic fashion in qualifying for South Africa. Indeed, they stormed to no fewer than nine wins from ten Group 6 games, scoring a European Zone high of 34 goals in the process, with their only defeat coming in Ukraine with qualification already secured.
Leading from the front in terms of both goals and commitment will be Rooney, who responded to shouldering the main responsibility for England's attacking threat by finding the net nine times in as many games. Also chipping in were midfield duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who hit four and three goals respectively.
"I think we've put the record straight, to some extent. Since the manager arrived, there has been nothing but hard work, our confidence has come on a million miles in the way the team is playing. Today typified everything about us in this campaign. It is the first step and we've qualified now but there's still a long way to go," said England midfielder Frank Lampard, following the 5-1 home win over Croatia which sealed qualification for South Africa 2010.
Rangy front-man Peter Crouch certainly made the most of limited opportunities by grabbing four goals in as many appearances, while Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe underlined his finishing prowess with three strikes in just 135 minutes on the field.
With all that talent, Capello and his men will be facing tremendous pressure from the desperate fans back home.
England reached the semi-finals in 1990 in Italy and more recently advanced to the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006. But while that may satisfy most countries, the English are looking for greater glory.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: David James, Robert Green, Joe Hart
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Stephen Warnock, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Michael Dawson
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Shaun Wright Phillips, Michael Carrick
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey
It has been long since England lifted the World Cup trophy on home soil in 1966. But the present bunch of players is being dubbed as English football's ‘golden generation.' Though they fell flat at UEFA EURO 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, South Africa 2010 may well be the last chance...
It has been long since England lifted the World Cup trophy on home soil in 1966. But the present bunch of players is being dubbed as English football's ‘golden generation.'
Though they fell flat at UEFA EURO 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, South Africa 2010 may well be the last chance of international silverware for some of the most well-known faces in the world game.
But a healthy Wayne Rooney will be the key to the English's chances at South Africa 2010 - along with coach Fabio Capello finding the right mix of talent.
Rooney struggled through the end of the club season with an ankle injury and a groin issue. But the Manchester United star feels his couple of weeks away from the pitch could be a benefit when England head to South Africa.
"If there's any consolation I'll probably be fresher for the World Cup, which will be good for me," Rooney recently said. The 24-year-old forward believes the English team is deep and capable of finally winning another World Cup crown.
"We have a lot of world-class players in the team and a great manager. If I get injured then so be it, there are other players there to do the job ... Success in South Africa would be to win the trophy. We've definitely got a good enough squad to do that," Rooney said.
Capello appears to have brought fresh vigour to the Three Lions' squad, many of whom have a point to prove after lacklustre displays when it mattered most under Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.
With the tournament due to take place in the South African winter, conditions which should suit the English players and style, excuses will be at a premium should Wayne Rooney and Co fall short once more.
Following the disappointment of missing out on a place at the UEFA EURO 2008, England bounced back in emphatic fashion in qualifying for South Africa. Indeed, they stormed to no fewer than nine wins from ten Group 6 games, scoring a European Zone high of 34 goals in the process, with their only defeat coming in Ukraine with qualification already secured.
Leading from the front in terms of both goals and commitment will be Rooney, who responded to shouldering the main responsibility for England's attacking threat by finding the net nine times in as many games. Also chipping in were midfield duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who hit four and three goals respectively.
"I think we've put the record straight, to some extent. Since the manager arrived, there has been nothing but hard work, our confidence has come on a million miles in the way the team is playing. Today typified everything about us in this campaign. It is the first step and we've qualified now but there's still a long way to go," said England midfielder Frank Lampard, following the 5-1 home win over Croatia which sealed qualification for South Africa 2010.
Rangy front-man Peter Crouch certainly made the most of limited opportunities by grabbing four goals in as many appearances, while Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe underlined his finishing prowess with three strikes in just 135 minutes on the field.
With all that talent, Capello and his men will be facing tremendous pressure from the desperate fans back home.
England reached the semi-finals in 1990 in Italy and more recently advanced to the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006. But while that may satisfy most countries, the English are looking for greater glory.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: David James, Robert Green, Joe Hart
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Stephen Warnock, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Michael Dawson
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Shaun Wright Phillips, Michael Carrick
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey
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