Lippi makes his choices
Some English pundits have dubbed it the group of EASY. England, Algeria, Slovenia, and Yanks (USA), but like every World Cup group that does not feature a true accidental qualifier (like North Korea or New Zealand) each team in Group C has enough quality to cause problems.
England, no doubt has the highest profile players in the group, but a legitimate question exists as to whether they are actually the best collective unit in the Group. The last twelve months have seen both the United States and Algeria surprisingly advance deep in major international tournaments, and Slovenia shock Russia to qualify for the World Cup. Russia, of course was highly touted after piping England for a Euro 2008 spot and advancing to the semifinals of that tournament.
Also complicating matters is evaluating England’s preparation for this World Cup. High profile friendlies are always helpful, but the Three Lions have not played a competitive match against a side that qualified for South Africa 2010 since losing to Portugal in the 2006 World Cup. By comparison, England’s first Group C opponent, the USA has played 14 competitive matches since 2007 against World Cup 2010 qualifiers, including two against favored Brazil.
Algeria’s 3-2 quarterfinal CAN victory over Cote D’ Ivoire sent shockwaves through African football. Twice the Algerians rallied from a deficit, and finally sealed the game in extra time. Slovenia’s two leg victory over Russia in the UEFA qualifying playoff was even more surprising. The small Balkan nation, previously qualified for World Cup 2002 and Euro 2000 but were not fancied to come out of a group with 2006 qualifiers Czech Republic and Poland as well as Northern Ireland and Slovakia, both squads with multiple high profile players.
If anything, England had the softest road to the World Cup of any of the Group C participants. That’s not to say they aren’t the strongest side, but that reinforces the reality that Fabio Capello, a master pragmatist of tactics and preparation must redouble his efforts to instill a team spirit in the Three Lions at the same time as ensuring the team is prepared for three very tough opponents.
I like the US’s chances in this group of course as an American I am biased. US finishes #1 and plays Australia or Ghana in the round of 16.
Go USA!!
ENGLAND ENGLAND ENGLAND!!!
USA SUCKS ASSSSSS, STICK TO BASKETBALL…
America is a melting pot and soccer is an enlightened ingredient of the world palette. We get football in America. This said, I always root for England because of the players. Excepting when thay play the USA. I had mixed feelings over the game. How couldn’t we feel lucky? I love England’s and America’s chances in advancing. Game by game, minute by minute.