e-Football World Cup Preview- England

Article by Brandon Freeman

England once again venture into a World Cup with the cautious optimism that they can deliver on the world stage and put behind them the dismal 2010 World Cup performance which left the Three Lions limping home with their tails between their legs following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany, their worst ever defeat in a major tournament. However, four years on England can look to the group stages with some confidence having gone through the entire qualifying campaign undefeated, despite this England fans had to wait until the final two games of the qualifying campaign to know whether they would be on the plane to Brazil in 2014. Nonetheless, Roy Hodgson’s side successfully handled the weight of expectation and topped their qualifying group.

England fans head to Brazil knowing that the so-called “Golden Generation” of players has been replaced by a steady mix of youth and experience, with exiting new additions such as Everton’s Ross Barkley and Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw. Although, the composition of Roy Hodgson’s side gives hope of a memorable World Cup campaign, England’s World Cup history isn’t imbued with as much optimism. Having lifted the World Cup for the first and only time in 1966, England have gone on to reach the semi -finals in Italy in 1990, as well as reaching the quarter-finals on six occasions, the most recent being the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Even though England’s recent World Cup campaigns can be described as “sketchy” at best, one notable friendly victory in 2013 does give hope that the one time World Cup winners can still mix it with the “big boys” of international football. England’s 2-1 win over Brazil at Wembley last year was their first in 23 years and was capped by a stunning goal from Frank Lampard after Brazil’s Julio Cesar produced a fine save to deny Gary Cahill.

Looking forward to the World Cup, England will surely have to produce similar performances and hope for some divine intervention along the way if they are to progress through the group stage which has been dubbed the “Group of Death”. Group D Includes four time world cup winners Italy, who appear the most likely team to top the group, as well as a Uruguay side boasting one of the most potent World Cup front lines. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was undoubtedly the highlight of the 2013-2014 Premier League season bagging 31 goals as well as the Barclays Player of the Season and Golden Boot awards. Although an injury scare led to many England fans relishing the prospect of facing a weakened Uruguay side, Suarez looks set to be fit for the first game and will line up alongside Edinson Cavani who was also in great form last season scoring 22 goals as his PSG side won the double.

Cesare Prandelli’s Italy side meanwhile boast a plethora of experience at international tournaments with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo being the most prominent players in the international side, alongside striker Mario Balotelli who will surely provide a source of entertainment for fans of all teams in group D. Costa Rica will surely provide a relatively easy 3 points for the Three Lions and England fans will be hoping they can upset either Italy or Uruguay and help England progress. However, history and the statistics of the game will surely pale into insignificance once England take to the pitch in Manaus for their first game, and England’ s reputation for always doing things the hard way will certainly provide a nail biting campaign in the South American heat.

Main Strength: Dynamic, attack-mined players such as Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who could prove lethal on the counter-attack.

Main Weakness: Lack of strength in depth at the back, perfectly demonstrated in the 2-2 draw with Ecuador.

Player to watch: Daniel Sturridge, with 21 league goals for Liverpool last season Sturridge has the pace and trickery to create a goal out of nothing as he did against Peru. His ability could prove vital if Rooney continues his poor record of never scoring in the World Cup Finals.

Tournament Predicted Finish: Quarter Finals, a highly optimistic prediction but if England can make it out of group D a victory against the winners of a relatively easy group C would mean a place in the quarter finals.

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