The World Cup Facts and Figures Thread

[davieG]

The FA

THe European Qualification Draw

Here is the draw in full:

Group 1

Malta

Albania

Hungary

Denmark

Sweden

Portugal

Group 2

Luxembourg

Latvia

Moldova

Switzerland

Israel

Greece

Group 3

San Marino

Slovenia

Slovakia

Northern Ireland

Poland

Czech Republic

Group 4

Liechtenstein

Azerbaijan

Wales

Finland

Russia

Germany

Group 5

Estonia

Armenia

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Belgium

Turkey

Spain

Group 6

Andorra

Kazakhstan

Belarus

Ukraine

England

Croatia

Group 7

Faroe Islands

Austria

Lithuania

Serbia

France

Romania

Group 8

Montenegro

Georgia

Cyprus

Republic of Ireland

Bulgaria

Italy

Group 9

Iceland

Macedonia

Norway

Scotland

Netherlands

[davieG]

England fixtures

Andorra (a), Saturday September 6 2008

Croatia (a), Wednesday September 10 2008

Kazakhstan (h), Saturday October 11 2008

Belarus (a), Wednesday October 15 2008

Ukraine (h), Wednesday April 1 2009

Kazakhstan (a), Saturday June 6 2009

Andorra (h), Wednesday June 10 2009

Croatia (h), Wednesday September 9 2009

Ukraine (a), Saturday October 10 2009

Belarus (h), Wednesday October 14 2009

[Finnegan]

06/09/08 TBA Wales Wales Azerbaijan Azerbaijan

10/09/08 TBA Russia Russia Wales Wales

11/10/08 TBA Wales Wales Liechtenstein Liechtenstein

15/10/08 TBA Germany Germany Wales Wales

28/03/09 TBA Wales Wales Finland Finland

01/04/09 TBA Wales Wales Germany Germany

06/06/09 TBA Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Wales Wales

09/09/09 TBA Wales Wales Russia Russia

10/10/09 TBA Finland Finland Wales Wales

14/10/09 TBA Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Wales Wales

There are far harder ways to start a campaign than Azerbaijan at home.

[davieG]

Capello's preliminary England squad for the friendly against Switzerland

England squad:

David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic);

Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City) Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur);

Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers);

Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

[Simi]

After Andorra 0-2 England

1 Croatia 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3

2 England 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3

3 Ukraine 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3

4 Kazak' 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3

5 Belarus 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0

6 Andorra 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0

[Simi]

England made it three wins out of three in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a fine second-half display against Kazakhstan.

After a poor first half Rio Ferdinand, captain in the absence of the injured John Terry, nodded in a corner, before Alexandr Kuchma headed into his own net.

Zhambyl Kukeyev fired one back after an Ashley Cole mistake before Wayne Rooney headed in a Wes Brown cross and then tapped in after a David Beckham free-kick.

Jermain Defoe finished off the scoring with a late, low finish.

But it was not the comfortable evening for coach Fabio Capello the scoreline suggests, and it was even less so for Cole, who was mercilessly booed by the home fans after his error.

Despite that, England are in a strong position ahead of a potentially tricky visit to Belarus on Wednesday as the only team with a perfect record in Group Six, after rivals Ukraine and Croatia drew 0-0 in Kharkov.

After the euphoria of winning 4-1 in Croatia last month and buoyed by a partisan and sell-out Wembley crowd, England started well, with the hero of Zagreb, Theo Walcott, tormenting his opponents.

Ferdinand blasts booing of Cole

The Arsenal teenager appears to have replaced Beckham as the box office attraction for fans coming to see the national team and his was the name cheered loudest before kick-off.

With three minutes on the clock and with his first touch, the 19-year-old raced past his marker and then sent over a cross that Emile Heskey narrowly failed to bundle in at the far post.

England began to look for Walcott at every opportunity and he was frightening the Kazakhstan defence with his direct approach, one time cutting in on his weaker left foot and shooting marginally over the crossbar.

But Walcott’s cameo could not mask a disjointed England display for long and the 4-3-3 formation chosen by Capello soon began to break down.

Rooney pleased with England role

With Rooney isolated down the left, Heskey ploughing a lone furrow up front and Steven Gerrard failing to get forward from midfield, England’s attacks were breaking down with alarming regularity.

Capello had asked the crowd to be patient and he got his wish save for a smattering of boos at the interval, but the Italian responded by hauling off Gareth Barry and replacing him with Shaun Wright-Phillips, reverting back to 4-4-2.

With two minutes gone in the second half a goal nearly came - but it was Kazakhstan who went agonisingly close to opening the scoring.

A cross from the right was nodded down by target man Sergei Ostapenko and the ball sat up for Tanat Nusserbayev six yards out, the 21-year-old Ordabasy striker failing to keep his cool and hammering his shot over.

England soon made the former Soviet republic pay by taking a lead that had started to look less inevitable as the match progressed.

606: DEBATE

Why would anybody pay to go and boo a football team?

ronderroo

Wright-Phillips had a shot turned behind for a corner and from the resulting set-piece, Ferdinand climbed highest to nod into the net, his third goal wearing the three lions.

Hurt by conceding such a sloppy goal in their best period of the game, the Kazakhs responded, Nussrbayev’s 25-yard screamer clumsily tipped around the post by David James before Kukeyev went on a slaloming run at the England defence only to be foiled by the onrushing James.

Another set-piece doubled England’s advantage and appeared to give them some breathing space, a Lampard free-kick headed into his own net by Kuchma.

But the Kazakhs refused to admit defeat and when Cole embarrassingly gifted Kukeyev possession, the forward expertly kept his composure to fire into the corner past James.

England had to wait until 14 minutes from time to make sure of the win, Rooney heading Brown’s right-wing cross past Alexandr Mokin.

There was still time for a brief glimpse of Beckham, the former captain coming on for his 106th cap – level with Sir Bobby Charlton – and receiving the loudest ovation of the night when he replaced Walcott.

And with the Kazakhs tiring there was also time for two more goals, Beckham’s poorly-defended free-kick allowing Rooney to slot in his second of the match, before Defoe – on for Rooney – collected Heskey’s pass and fired into the far corner to add gloss to the scoreline.

But Capello will know better than anyone that on this evidence, World Cup qualification is still some way off.

England: James, Brown, Cole, Ferdinand, Upson, Gerrard, Barry (Wright-Phillips 45), Lampard, Walcott (Beckham 79), Heskey, Rooney (Defoe 86).

Subs Not Used: Carson, Johnson, Bridge, Crouch.

Goals: Ferdinand 52, Kuchma 65 og, Rooney 77, 86, Defoe 90.

Kazakhstan: Mokin, Kirov (Sabalakov 85), Kuchma, Kislitsyn, Nusserbayev, Skorykh, Ostapenko (Maltsev 76), Baltiyev, Ibrayev, Kukeyev, Logvinenko.

Subs Not Used: Morev, Nurdauletov, Vorotnikov, Maxim Azovskiy, Beissenov.

Goals: Kukeyev 68.

Att: 89,107

Wayne Rooney scored twice as England took a giant stride towards World Cup qualification by beating Belarus to make it maximum points from four games.

Steven Gerrard gave England the lead from 30 yards after 11 minutes, but Pavel Sitko headed a deserved leveller for Belarus before the break.

Rooney turned in a cross from Emile Heskey five minutes after the break.

And he lifted home a superb third from Gerrard's pass 16 minutes from time to give coach Fabio Capello another win.

606: DEBATE

Capello...you've gotta love him

Mississippiskyblue

It gives England a perfect record of 12 points so far, with Capello's huge reputation bolstered further by two convincing away wins against dangerous opposition in Croatia and Belarus.

And for Gerrard, a spectacular strike will increase his fragile self-confidence in an England shirt and silence any lingering doubts about his worth at international level.

Rooney's double also demonstrated his growing maturity as he provided a deadly spearhead to the attack, ably assisted by the powerful Heskey, who was winning his 50th England cap.

The Manchester United striker has now scored five goals in England's last three qualifiers as he plays a leading role in the new Capello era.

Capello praises Rooney's versatility

Gerrard had pleaded with coach Capello to keep faith with him after a low-key display in the win against Kazakhstan - and he repaid his confidence with a stunning opener.

He picked up the ball from Rooney before placing a perfect slide-rule finish into the bottom corner beyond Belarus keeper Yury Zhevnov from fully 30 yards.

Instead of settling England, the goal was the signal for a period of Belarus dominance, with keeper David James having to save from Dmitry Molosh and Vitaly Kutuzov.

Heskey was working tirelessly up front to keep the Belarus defence occupied, and his fine cross set up Rooney for a far post header, but he could not find the target.

Belarus were in the ascendancy, however, and it was no surprise when they drew level after 28 minutes at the end of a glorious 23-pass move.

Igor Stasevich was the creator, popping up an inviting cross to the far post for Sitko to arrived unmarked and head beyond the exposed James.

England needed to apply more pressure to the gifted Belarus attacking players after the break, and Rooney almost provided the perfect start with a great run that was only marred by a tame finish.

He made no mistake as England regained the lead after 50 minutes, but credit must go to Heskey again with a powerful run and perfect cross for Rooney to slide home from close range.

As Belarus attempted to force their way back into contention, Capello made two changes to his attacking personnel, sending on Shaun Wright-Phillips for Theo Walcott and Peter Crouch for the excellent Heskey, who was struggling with an injury.

It did not stop Rooney taking the game by the scruff of the neck and he scored his second, and England's third, with a goal of the highest class 16 minutes from time.

Gerrard slid a superb instant pass into his path, and Rooney dummied a defender before lifting a composed finish over Zhevnov.

The Liverpool captain should have added a fourth five minutes from time when he rounded Zhevnov, but carelessly shot again the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.

It was not a costly miss as England entered new territory by winning their opening four World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

Belarus: Zhevnov, Verkhovtsov, Filipenko, Omelyanchuk, Molosh, Kulchy, Sitko, Putsilo (Rodionov 67), Stasevich (Viacheslav Hleb 90), Kutuzov (Strakhanovich 77), Bulyga.

Subs Not Used: Veremko, Korytko, Pavlov, Sosnovskiy.

Booked: Putsilo.

Goals: Sitko 28.

England: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Upson, Bridge, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Walcott (Wright-Phillips 68), Rooney (Beckham 87), Heskey (Crouch 70).

Subs Not Used: Carson, Johnson, Lescott, Defoe.

Goals: Gerrard 11, Rooney 50, 74.

Att: 32,000.

Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).

[Simi]

Table after both previous games.

1 England 4 4 0 0 12

2 Croatia 4 2 1 1 7

3 Ukraine 3 2 1 0 7

4 Belarus 3 1 0 2 3

5 Kazakhstan 4 1 0 3

6 Andorra 4 0 0 4 0

[Simi]

Inital squad for Slovakia and Ukraine matches.

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Ben Foster (Manchester United)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Beckham (AC Milan), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

[Simi]

England warmed up for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine with a comfortable victory over Slovakia - but coach Fabio Capello was left contemplating a potential striker shortage.

Emile Heskey set England on their way at Wembley when he turned in Steven Gerrard's cross at the near post after seven minutes.

And Wayne Rooney ensured the win for England with 20 minutes left when he headed in David Beckham's cross as the former captain produced an impressive cameo on his record-breaking 109th appearance for an outfield player.

Frank Lampard turned in a close-range effort with nine minutes left and Rooney grabbed his second in injury time to give England the emphatic victory margin their supremacy deserved.

But the gloss was taken off England's triumph by the early loss of goalscorer Heskey, as well as his replacement Carlton Cole before the interval.

Peter Crouch, another substitute, then limped off late on as Capello faced the prospect of seeing his attacking resources severely depleted.

Injuries aside, the game will have provided plenty to satisfy Capello, especially an outstanding first-half display from Gerrard and a performance of limitless energy and invention from Rooney.

This was the Rooney that Capello will have wanted to see after a red card in Manchester United's defeat at Fulham prompted the England coach to label his striker "a crazy man" - with no tantrums at Wembley, only an exhibition of the gifts that make him such a vital element of the international set-up.

Capello will have been concerned, however, by defensive frailties that meant England keeper David James had to produce two fine first-half saves from Miroslav Karhan and Robert Vittek.

Beckham's industry and quality after coming on as a half-time substitute for Aaron Lennon may also have provided Capello with food for thought as he weighs up his options ahead of Wednesday's Wembley meeting with Ukraine.

Slovakia hardly provided the sternest of tests, but England got the job done with the minimum of fuss and Capello can now turn his attentions to making it five wins out of five in a hitherto flawless World Cup campaign.

Capello handed Gerrard a role that saw Liverpool's captain patrolling the left flank, but with licence to roam at will and cause problems for Slovakia.

It did not take long for the ploy to produce dividends, with Gerrard the creator of Heskey's opening goal for England after seven minutes.

Gerrard's clever drag-back deceived Jozef Valachovic and his near-post cross was bundled home inelegantly but effectively by Heskey.

Heskey should have doubled England's advantage two minutes later, but he headed over the top after Rooney's cross left the goal at the Aston Villa striker's mercy.

And an eventful start for the striker came to a premature close after 14 minutes when he went off injured, to be replaced by Carlton Cole.

Slovakia were offering little in the way of attacking invention, but lapses in concentration from England at the back offered them encouragement their approach play barely deserved.

England were caught off-guard at a corner on the half-hour, and it needed goalkeeper James to come to the rescue with a fine diving save from Karhan.

Capello's attacking options were reduced again 11 minutes before the interval when substitute Cole went down holding his groin, paving the way for Crouch to come on.

England's best moments had come predominantly from Rooney and Gerrard, especially when they combined down the left flank - but it was Lennon who got in on the act as Slovakia came under threat once more.

The Spurs winger brought a fine block from Slovakian keeper Stefan Senecky, who recovered well to deny a follow-up header from Gerrard.

James was in action again after 40 minutes, turning a shot from Vittek over the top after a mix-up between Ashley Cole and Matthew Upson had let in Slovakia's captain.

Gerrard then tested Senecky with a low shot to cap an impressive 45 minutes, before he was involved in three changes made by Capello at the interval.

He was replaced by Stewart Downing, while Ben Foster replaced James and Beckham was able to add another cap to his collection at the expense of Lennon.

David Beckham and Frank Lampard celebrate England's third goal

David Beckham and Frank Lampard celebrate England's third goal

Slovakia substitute Erik Jendrisek wasted a good opportunity to restore equality after 56 minutes, but he shot into the side-netting after finding space in the penalty area.

Beckham was proving a lively presence in the early exchanges after the break, and he almost set up a goal for Rooney. He just failed to turn in an inviting cross, with England captain John Terry firing inches wide as the loose ball dropped at his feet 20 yards out.

It was a brief reprieve for Slovakia, as Rooney and Beckham combined to give England a deserved second goal after 70 minutes.

In a prime example of Beckham's enduring quality with the ball at his feet, his cross was delivered perfectly for Rooney to rise and direct his header beyond Senecky.

The goal killed off any slim hopes of Slovakia claiming anything from this game, and England emphasised their advantage in the closing stages.

Lampard shot across Senecky to make it three with eight minutes remaining, and Rooney crowned an outstanding personal display with a flighted close-range finish in injury time.

It completed a highly satisfactory workout for Capello's England - but now the coach must wait on medical bulletins on a trio of strikers ahead of the World Cup date with Ukraine.

England: James (Foster 46), Johnson, Upson, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lennon (Beckham 46), Lampard, Barry, Gerrard (Downing 46), Heskey (Carlton Cole 15), Rooney, Carlton Cole (Crouch 34), Crouch (Carrick 74).

Subs Not Used: Green, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines.

Goals: Heskey 7, Rooney 70, Lampard 82, Rooney 90.

Slovakia: Senecky, Pekarik, Valachovic, Skrtel, Cech (Jendrisek 46), Sestak (Jakubko 72), Zabavnik, Karhan (Strba 83), Kozak (Sapara 62), Hamsik (Mintal 79), Vittek (Holosko 46).

Subs Not Used: Mucha, Cisovsky, Kratochvil, Dobrotka, Obzera, Kamenar.

Booked: Sapara.

Att: 85,512

Ref: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg).

[Simi]

John Terry kept England firmly on course for next summer's World Cup in South Africa as his priceless late winner sank Ukraine and made it five wins out of five in their qualifying group.

Ukraine had threatened to take a point their approach barely deserved when substitute Andriy Shevchenko struck with 16 minutes left to cancel out Peter Crouch's 29th-minute volley.

England's previously flawless record in Group Six was in serious danger until captain Terry bundled in from close range after 85 minutes, getting on the end of Steven Gerrard's header from David Beckham's free-kick.

Capello "very,very happy" after win

Terry's intervention came as huge relief to England coach Fabio Capello, who had watched in frustration as his side failed to build on their first-half advantage with a performance that was lacklustre for lengthy periods.

And the importance of Terry's goal was demonstrated at the final whistle, when Capello was moved to a rare show of fist-pumping emotion as England finally claimed three vital points.

Terry's winner ensured England took another giant stride towards next summer's showpiece, but lessons must be learned from a lack of urgency and invention that was almost punished by the predatory Shevchenko.

Ukraine, while unremarkable, proved more durable than Slovakia did in the 4-0 friendly victory on Saturday, and England never threatened to repeat that impressive showing.

It is sign of the growing belief under Capello, however, that England were able to pull out the victory after being stunned by Shevchenko's leveller.

Peter Crouch scores to put England 1-0 up against Ukraine

Crouch scored in the first half with an acrobatic volley

Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were the pick of England's players against Slovakia - and they picked up where they left off to almost create an opener after six minutes.

The pair linked superbly on the edge of the area, and Rooney's spectacular bicycle kick landed just over the top with Ukraine keeper Andrii Piatov beaten.

Gerrard posted England's next threat with a trademark low free-kick from 20 yards that was again only inches off target.

England - and indeed Wembley - had become subdued after a lively start, but the mood was lifted when Crouch ended the stalemate after 29 minutes.

Terry headed Frank Lampard's corner into the six-yard box and Crouch completed the job with powerful volley that got a touch off Piatov's head but still went in.

Massive win for us - Terry

Ukraine's attacking ambition was strictly limited, but England were given an anxious moment when Anatoliy Tymoschuk's dipping volley was blocked in uncertain fashion by keeper David James.

Rooney was once more at the heart of most of England's good things, and he almost caught Piatov by surprise three minutes after the break with a speculative shot that flew just wide.

Capello and his Ukraine counterpart Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko both made changes near the hour, with Beckham replacing Aaron Lennon and Shevchenko coming on for Andriy Voronin.

It had been a disappointing night for Lennon, who once again failed to match his approach play with a final product. The Spurs winger is very much a work in progress on the international stage and this will have proved another part of his education.

Beckham had the opportunity to announce his arrival with a goal after 62 minutes when England were awarded a free-kick in his territory, but he was unable to test Piatov.

Rooney, meanwhile, was fortunate to escape punishment for a wild challenge on Oleksandr Aliiev, making contact with the ball but also following through to fell the Ukraine player.

For all England's supremacy, they had failed to press home their advantage with a second goal - and paid the penalty when Shevchenko struck with 16 minutes left.

Our patience paid off - Beckham

England failed to clear a free-kick, and when the ball rebounded off Glen Johnson, Shevchenko - a bit-part player for AC Milan this season - showed he had lost of none of the old instincts with a finish that flashed past James from 10 yards.

Capello's side had lost momentum, and he tried to inject renewed tempo into England by sending on Shaun Wright-Phillips for the tiring Crouch.

And, with time running out, captain Terry came to the rescue when he scored from six yards after Gerrard had nodded a Beckham set-piece across the area.

Not England's finest hour - but the disappointment at the overall performance will be eased with one look at a qualifying table that shows five wins out of five.

England: James, Johnson, Ferdinand (Jagielka 88), Terry, Cole, Lennon (Beckham 57), Lampard, Barry, Gerrard, Rooney, Crouch (Wright-Phillips 79).

Subs Not Used: Foster, Lescott, Carrick, Agbonlahor.

Booked: Barry, Johnson, Beckham.

Goals: Crouch 29, Terry 85.

Ukraine: Pyatov, Yarmash, Mykhalyk, Chigrinsky, Shevchuk, Aliev, Slyusar (Kalinichenko 88), Tymoschuk, Valyaev (Nazarenko 61), Voronin (Shevchenko 55), Milevskiy.

Subs Not Used: Bogush, Kucher, Rusol, Seleznyov.

Booked: Mykhalyk.

Goals: Shevchenko 74.

Att: 87,548

Ref: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark).

[Simi]

Table after match against Ukraine.

P W D L F A GD PTS

1 England 5 5 0 0 16 4 12 15

2 Croatia 5 3 1 1 10 4 6 10

3 Ukraine 4 2 1 1 5 3 2 7

4 Belarus 4 2 0 2 9 6 3 6

5 Kazakhstan 5 1 0 4 6 16 -10 3

6 Andorra 5 0 0 5 1 14 -13 0

[Matt]

South Africa (Hosts)

Japan (6th June)

Australia (6th June)

Holland and South Korea

[davieG]

. Team Pl W D L GF GA +/- Pts

1 England 6 6 0 0 20 4 16 18

2 Croatia 6 3 2 1 12 6 6 11

3 Belarus 5 3 0 2 14 7 7 9

4 Ukraine 5 2 2 1 7 5 2 8

5 Kazakhstan 6 1 0 5 6 20 -14 3

6 Andorra 6 0 0 6 2 19 -17 0

[Simi]

England warmed up for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday with victory over Slovenia at Wembley.

Frank Lampard's disputed first-half penalty - an award that left the Slovenians complaining bitterly that Wayne Rooney had tumbled too easily under challenge from Bostjan Cesar - put England on course for the win.

And Jermain Defoe pressed his claims for inclusion in the game that could stamp England's passport to South Africa by adding a clinical finish to the double he scored against the Netherlands in Amsterdam last month.

Coach Fabio Capello will not be entirely satisfied by his team's showing, with too many moments of defensive carelessness ahead of the date with old adversaries Croatia, who shattered England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 the last time the sides met at Wembley.

Zlatan Ljubijankic took advantage of slack marking to steal in score with a header after 85 minutes, but England survived in comfort to record a victory they deserved.

It was a low-key encounter - but threw up two major talking points that will provide an intriguing backdrop to the meeting with Croatia.

Slovenia were furious at Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson's decision to award a penalty when Rooney went to ground as he wrestled for possession with Cesar. The Slovenia defender insisted he had been fouled, and it looked a highly-debatable decision.

And Spurs striker Defoe produced a second-half display, capped by another goal, that suggested he should be given serious consideration for the starting line-up against Croatia.

Emile Heskey's bustling, unselfish style appears to be Capello's preferred option, but Defoe demonstrated once again that there is no comparison between the pair when it comes to the art of goalscoring.

Robert Green was another star playing for high stakes in his battle to be England's first-choice goalkeeper in the absence of David James - and he had an eventful start as Slovenia dominated the opening exchanges.

He was fortunate not to be penalised for handling outside his area as he collected a long clearance, and then risked giving away a penalty as he drove Milijove Novakovic wide before the Slovenian shot over the top from an angle.

England took their time to settle, but once the early endeavour evaporated from the Slovenians, they were able to assume a measure of superiority.

Rooney almost put England ahead on 21 minutes when he collected Heskey's header, but saw his goal-bound shot on the turn deflected over the top by Miso Brecko.

John Terry headed the resulting corner against the bar, and was then off target with an acrobatic overhead kick from the rebound.

England took the lead 14 minutes before the interval - and in highly-contentious circumstances that left the Slovenians, and defender Cesar in particular, incensed.

There appeared little more than routine contact as Rooney tussled for possession with the defender, but as the Manchester United striker fell to the ground referee Eriksson pointed to the spot, presumably for shirt pulling and to Wembley's widespread surprise.

Lampard dispatched a low penalty in emphatic fashion, and Slovenia saw injury added to the insult as Cesar limped off after appearing to sustain an ankle problem in the clash with Rooney.

Rooney, inevitably, was at the heart of the action and he should have added his and England's second three minutes later, only to stab a finish against the post from inside the six-yard box with Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic stranded.

Steven Gerrard then shot inches wide from long-range as England ended the half in the ascendancy, having regained some composure after their earlier uncertainty.

Gerrard was one of four changes at the interval, when Shaun Wright-Phillips, Heskey and Lampard were also taken off, to be replaced by Defoe, Aaron Lennon, James Milner and Michael Carrick.

And Defoe, who has started the new campaign in blistering fashion, made his impact on 63 minutes with a precise, low finish from 20 yards.

Rooney was denied again with 19 minutes remaining. He looked certain to score when he received Lennon's cross, but Matej Mavricrozic scrambled the ball off the line.

Slovenia then had their best chance, but Zlatko Dedic headed wide from Valter Birsa's cross after stealing into the penalty area unmarked.

The game ended with a blemish for England as Ljubijankic got in ahead of substitute Joleon Lescott to score - but Capello's side closed out the win and can now turn their attention to the main business of securing qualification for South Africa.

[Simi]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/4635...land466x282.jpg

England secured qualification for next summer's World Cup in South Africa in the most emphatic style as they thrashed Croatia at Wembley.

The goalless stalemate between Belarus and Ukraine left England needing only a draw to confirm their place in South Africa - but they emphasised their progress under coach Fabio Capello with an outstanding display to record an eighth successive win of a flawless qualifying campaign.

Croatia ended England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 under Capello's predecessor Steve McClaren by winning at Wembley, but there was never any chance of a repeat in an encounter that was totally one-sided from the opening exchanges.

England have taken huge strides forward under Capello since that rain-soaked night in November 2007 and the end of the McClaren reign, while Croatia are a pale shadow of the side Slaven Bilic brought to Wembley for their previous visit.

FOOTBALL BLOG

Fabio Capello makes managing England look easy

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty

And the gulf in class between the two teams was immediately obvious - even taking into account the absence of Croatia's gifted playmaker Luka Modric.

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon made an early claim for a place on England's right flank in next summer's South African showpiece with an electrifying first 45 minutes that set the platform for victory.

Lennon, jostling for position with David Beckham, Theo Walcott and Shaun-Wright Phillips, was hauled down by Josip Simunic for Frank Lampard to put England ahead from the penalty spot after seven minutes.

He then delivered the perfect cross for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to double England's lead with a firm header at the far post 11 minutes later.

Capello delighted to qualify for World Cup

England continued to create chances and only Croatia keeper Vedran Runje's defiance stopped them adding further goals before the interval.

Lampard got his second just before the hour when he headed in Glen Johnson's excellent cross and Gerrard grabbed a double of his own in similar fashion from Wayne Rooney's lofted cross seven minutes later.

Arsenal striker Eduardo - jeered constantly by the Wembley crowd as the fall-out from his alleged dive against Celtic continues - grabbed a goal back for Croatia from close range with 18 minutes left, but to even label it a form of consolation would be generous in the extreme.

Steven Gerrard celebrates his goal in England's win over Croatia

Gerrard headed in twice in the win over Croatia at Wembley

Rooney deservedly got on the scoresheet himself when he took advantage of a wild sliced clearance from the unfortunate Runje to score.

After the early goals from Lampard and Gerrard, Emile Heskey - preferred to Jermain Defoe - could have boosted his own confidence with a goal, but he was twice denied by Runje when clean through.

These were minor blots on England's landscape and Heskey was given a thumping greeting of thanks from Capello when he was eventually replaced by Defoe after Lampard scored his second.

The swift double strike from Lampard and Gerrard snuffed out any hopes of a Croatia recovery, and even the muted celebrations of their colourful travelling support after Eduardo's strike were swiftly snuffed out when Rooney scored England's fifth.

Even hard-to-please Capello cracked smiles in his technical area, while Bilic cut a miserable figure yards away as the scene of one of his greatest triumphs turned into a nightmare.

And if England needed any further boost to the optimism that will travel with them to South Africa, the manner and scale of this victory will provide it.

England have scored 31 goals and conceded only five in a qualifying campaign that has done much to erase the bitter memories of the failure to reach Euro 2008.

A group that was initially regarded as potentially dangerous has been expertly and convincingly negotiated, with barely any hazards to block England's smooth progress.

Capello has rebuilt the confidence and morale of a squad shattered after that experience, and while qualification for South Africa is only the first phase of the Italian's mission, England will go to the World Cup with serious aspirations of making a major impact.

England: Green, Johnson, Terry, Upson, Ashley Cole, Lennon (Beckham 80), Barry, Lampard, Gerrard (Milner 81), Rooney, Heskey (Defoe 60).

Subs Not Used: Foster, Brown, Bridge, Crouch.

Booked: Terry.

Goals: Lampard 8 pen, Gerrard 18, Lampard 59, Gerrard 66, Rooney 77.

Croatia: Runje, Srna, Krizanac, Simunic, Pranjic, Mandzukic, Vukojevic, Pokrivac (Rakitic 45), Kranjcar, Eduardo (Klasnic 74), Olic (Petric 45).

Subs Not Used: Subasic, Drpic, Cale, Leko.

Booked: Simunic.

Goals: Eduardo 73.

Att: 87,319

Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).

[Simi]

FULL LIST OF TEAMS AT 2010 WORLD CUP

HOSTS

South Africa

AFRICA QUALIFYING

Ghana

ASIA QUALIFYING

Japan

Australia

South Korea

North Korea

EUROPE QUALIFYING

England

Netherlands

Spain

SOUTH AMERICA QUALIFYING

Brazil

Paraguay

[davieG]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries...ings/index.html

[davieG]

Posted by Ian C

Friday 11.06.10

1500 South Africa v Mexico ITV

1930 Uruguay v France BBC

Saturday 12.06.10

1230 South Korea v Greece ITV

1500 Argentina v Nigeria BBC

1930 England v USA ITV

Sunday 13.06.10

1230 Algeria v Slovenia BBC

1500 Serbia v Ghana ITV

1930 Germany v Australia ITV

Monday 14.06.10

1230 Netherlands v Denmark ITV

1500 Japan v Cameroon BBC

1930 Italy v Paraguay BBC

Tuesday 15.06.10

1230 New Zealand v Slovakia BBC

1500 Ivory Coast v Portugal ITV

1930 Brazil v North Korea ITV

Wednesday 16.06.10

1230 Honduras v Chile ITV

1500 Spain v Switzerland BBC

1930 South Africa v Uruguay BBC

Thursday 17.06.10

1230 Argentina v South Korea ITV

1500 Greece v Nigeria BBC

1930 France v Mexico BBC

Friday 18.06.10

1230 Germany v Serbia BBC

1500 Slovenia v USA BBC

1930 England v Algeria ITV

Saturday 19.06.10

1230 Netherlands v Japan ITV

1500 Ghana v Australia BBC

1930 Cameroon v Denmark ITV

Sunday 20.06.10

1230 Slovakia v Paraguay BBC

1500 Italy v New Zealand ITV

1930 Brazil v Ivory Coast BBC

Monday 21.06.10 1230

Portugal v North Korea BBC

1500 Chile v Switzerland BBC

1930 Spain v Honduras ITV

Tuesday 22.06.10

1500 Mexico v Uruguay ITV

1500 France v South Africa ITV

1930 Nigeria v South Korea BBC

1930 Greece v Argentina BBC

Wednesday 23.06.10

1500 Slovenia v England BBC

1500 USA v Algeria BBC

1930 Ghana v Germany ITV

1930 Australia v Serbia ITV

Thursday 24.06.10

1500 Slovakia v Italy ITV

1500 Paraguay v New Zealand ITV

1930 Denmark v Japan BBC

1930 Cameroon v Holland BBC

Friday 25.06.10

1500 Portugal v Brazil BBC

1500 North Korea v Ivory Coast BBC

1930 Chile v Spain ITV

1930 Switzerland v Honduras ITV

The table with the latter stages split, and more info, can be found HERE But as ITV have two of England's three games, the BBC will get England's matches in the last 16 and QF of the competition (should be get there of course)

[davieG]

England's Provisional 30 man Squad

http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12016_6147309,00.html

Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green, Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson,Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

[davieG]

Round of 16 Qualifiers

Uruguay

Mexico

[davieG]

Round of 16 Qualifiers

Uruguay v Sth Korea

Mexico v Argentina

[davieG]

Round of 16 Qualifiers

Uruguay v Sth Korea

Mexico v Argentina

USA v Ghana

England v Germany

[davieG]

Round of 16 Qualifiers

Uruguay v Sth Korea

Mexico v Argentina

USA v Ghana

England v Germany

Paraguay v Japan

Slovakia v Holland

[davieG]

Round of 16 Qualifiers

Uruguay v Sth Korea

Mexico v Argentina

USA v Ghana

England v Germany

Paraguay v Japan

Slovakia v Holland

Brazil v Chile

Portugal v Spain

[davieG]

Quarters

Uruguay v Ghana