England’s chances at the World Cup
It’s that time again.
A time where the hopes of a nation lie on the shoulders of 23 men, or lions if you wish.
The country will come together as one, to follow their troops as they march on into battle in South Africa. For many football fans, like me, it gives us the chance to follow a side with realistic ambitions of success after another domestic season of disappointment, crushed dreams and hair loss. And with the aspect of being able to enjoy these feelings of pleasure, or most likely pain, with friends, family and fellow countryman, the England games will become a social event for many.
It all begins this Saturday against the USA, and no matter how hard I try to dampen my excitement, every England flag draped from a rooftop or every time Baddiel and Skinner fill the radio airwaves, the belief begins to grow inside of me. Just imagine if they could actually do the unthinkable and bring home the trophy?
The general feeling around England’s chances can best be described as hopeful optimism. Unlike in previous World Cups, people seem to be realistically dampening the thought of Fabio Capello’s side lifting the trophy on July 12th - it seems there are three or four teams that are technically better. A success for Capello would come in the form of a semi-final place - if he fails to achieve that he will be another England coach swallowed up by a World Cup exit. But by the look of the draw, a place in the last four is well within his side’s grasp.
Drawn in the easier side of the competition, the only major players, barring any unknown quantities such as Serbia or Uruguay, will be France or Germany – and it’s safe to say those two countries are a shadow of their former dominant selves.
The passage towards the semi-finals looks tantalisingly clear, especially considering the group England have landed.
Elimination looks about as likely as John Terry becoming a marriage guidance councillor.
England 1 USA 1
Without doubt this will be England’s toughest test in the group stage, and by the look of their form in the warm-up matches they may not quite be ready for a game of this calibre. USA will be up for the battle with plenty of English-based players in their ranks, and England will need a late equaliser to save them from an embarrassing result.
England 4 Algeria 0
With the pressure coming from all corners, England will bounce back in style against a poor Algerian side. Wayne Rooney will be the catalyst for a big win, and the belief back in Blighty will return.
England 2 Slovenia 1
England will now be approaching top gear, hopefully. The squad will be gelling together and playing as a unit, with early goals resulting in a substandard second-half performance as in typical England fashion they let their opponents back in the game - luckily its only Slovenia. Seven points will be enough to secure the all-important first place.
Last 16 - England 3 Australia 0
This is the game where the world will sit up and take notice. Profiting from a relatively weak runner-up from Group D, England will start to function at the level they produce on weekly basis for their clubs, and blow away their opponents. With the media behind them, the country will for the first time since 2006 believe this team can go all the way.
Quarter-finals - England 2 Mexico 1 (aet)
At every World Cup, one England player makes either a hero or villain of themselves. It’s hard to predict who, but in a tight encounter against the Mexicans, who should go really well at the tournament, someone will need to step up and in David Platt-style send England through to the semi-finals. Come on Emile, you can do it.
Semi-finals - England 1 Brazil 2
Mission accomplished. As explained, England’s passage to the semis should prove trouble free, and once in the last four anything can happen. Unfortunately, one of the teams that are technically better than England are the Brazilians, and despite putting up a passionate display, their World Cup dream looks to be ending at the semi-final stage.
So for the next month, enjoy the emotions that our national team will put us through. Embrace a stranger, run into the streets with celebration; these opportunities don’t come around often.
And you never know, maybe, just maybe.
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