The England team have had a torrid time over recent years with managerial changes, inconsistency and a failure to progress at major finals. But, with Fabio Capello in charge, the Lions have stormed their group and qualified for the South Africa Finals with two games to spare.
England Drawn Against Croatia Again
Following the team’s failure in the German World Cup in 2006, attention turned to qualifying for the 2008 European Championships. Amongst the other teams in the group were Croatia, an upcoming side who had never been beaten at home in competitive competition. The two teams first met in Zagreb, where Croatia emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. England’s dream was in the balance. The return at Wembley saw England just needing a draw to qualify, while Croatia needed to win the game if they were to progress to the finals.
England fans were in good voice but two first half goals put Croatia firmly in the driving seat. A Frank Lampard Penalty and a Peter Crouch levelled the scores and England were on course to qualify, but a late Croatia goal sent England crashing to defeat and Croatia to the finals. When the draw was made for the 2010 qualifying campaign, one fixture stood out: England v Croatia.
Fabio Arrives And England Are Off And Running
The failure to qualify to Euro 2008 led to manager Steve McClaren losing his job as manager. In his place came Fabio Capello, an Italian manager with a no nonsense approach. He immediately set about restoring England’s pride and the team got off to a great start wining 2-0 in Andorra. Four days later came the grudge match and England’s biggest test: Away to Croatia. The memory of that Wembley defeat was still etched in the minds of the England players but on this occasion, the Lions would not be humiliated again. Arsenal Striker Theo Walcott grabbed a hat-trick and England stormed to a 4-1 win, becoming the first team to win a competitive international match in Zagreb. Two wins out of two was the best start possible but the team still had to overcome the minnows of the group.
Kazakhstan and Belarus Swept Aside While Germans Are Beaten Again
England’s first home game of the campaign saw the minnows of Kazakhstan arrive and dispatched 5-1 at Wembley, though the game was marred by the booing of left back Ashley Cole, whose careless pass allowed the visitors to pull a goal back. Four days later England visited Belarus and won their fourth game on the run, beating the home side
3-1. A month later, they visited Berlin for a friendly game with Germany. A stern test for Capello’s men turned out to be a stroll in the park as England inflicted another defeat on the Germans winning 2-1.
Long Break Ends In Another Victory
Following a four month break, Ukraine visited Wembley. After taking the lead, England allowed the visitors back into the game but a late Rio Ferdinand goal preserved the Lions 100% record. A break of two months was ended with two games against minnows. England won 4-0 in Kazakhstan while Andorra were thrashed 6-0 four days later at Wembley, prompting the legendary Jimmy Greaves, a World Cup winner in 1966, to say that the team of 66 could easily have beaten the Andorra team. England were on the brink of qualifying for the finals and could secure their place by beating their next opposition; Croatia at Wembley.
Sweet Revenge As England Qualify
It was ironic that Croatia stood between England and qualification. A win would send England to South Africa while Croatia needed three points to keep their hopes of qualification alive. As in the game in 2007, England won a penalty and it was the same man, Frank Lampard who scored it, only this time he gave his side the lead. Steven Gerrard doubled the lead and both men scored again after half time. Croatia pulled a goal back but Wayne Rooney made the most of a goalkeeping blunder to score England’s fifth and South Africa beckoned.
Can England Win The World Cup?
Under the new manager, England have thrived. They have a 100% qualifying record and are the top scorers in Europe. The hard part is keeping the momentum against some of the best teams in the world. In Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, they have two of the best centre backs at the tournament while Lampard and Gerrard are complimented in midfield by Gareth Barry. In attack, Rooney can be partnered by almost anyone; Walcott, Defoe or Crouch would form a formidable partnership that has the potential to send England all the way. If Fabio Capello can motivatethe team for the finals, like he has done for the qualifiers, England will be world champions again.
