History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

TERRY: WE MUST NOT CHANGE ROONEY

England captain John Terry has backed Wayne Rooney to use his passion for football and his country to help England have a successful week at Wembley.

Ahead of England's friendly at Wembley against Slovakia the centre-back, who is due to make his 50th appearance for the Three Lions on Saturday, backed the Manchester United striker to channel his aggression on the pitch.

The 28-year-old said: "Some players are born like that; with that passion and fire inside their belly. Wayne has certainly got that. I think if we try and take that away he won't be the player he is. He is world-class - let's let him get on with his football and let his football do the talking.

"He is still young, he is still learning - but what a player he is! Wayne knows his limits. We have seen him calm down over the years - he has grown up. He is playing well for Manchester United and England and that is the main thing we want.

"The key is to keep him fit, keep him well and keep him on the ball. If you get Wayne Rooney on the ball he can create all sorts. He scores goals and brings people in to play. If you keep him fit England have a great chance."

On the game on Saturday evening, which is due to attract a sell-out Wembley crowd, Terry added: "It has been a long time coming, but I'm delighted to hopefully getting my 50th cap for England. I have my family coming, so I am very much looking forward to it.

"We will go out fully-focused. We are playing well at the moment, but we had a little bit of a shock in our last game, against Spain (when England lost 2-0) - but that was an eye-opener and we can learn from that. We are looking to improve things at home in front of our home fans.

"The manager (Fabio Capello) does not treat friendlies lightly and neither will the players - we will going out there to win. They are top of their World Cup qualifying group and are going well. It is going to be a tough test. We can learn a lot about this game and take it in to Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine."

Labels: England, John Terry, Slovakia, Spain, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

CAPELLO GIVES POSITIVE END-OF-YEAR REPORT

Fabio Capello believes that England’s team spirit has been the most important improvement in his year in charge. The Italian head coach, who took charge on January 1 this year, gave his end-of-year assessment at the Football Association’s headquarters in Soho Square.

And, after eight victories, one draw and one defeat in his first 10 games in charge, the 62-year-old, can be pleased with his first year. England top their World Cup qualifying pool, Group Six, after impressive away wins over Croatia and Belarus.

But Capello believes that the team improved their attitude and belief after losing 1-0 to France in March, and this in turn has bred confidence – and match-winning performances.

He said: “I am happy for the result and I am happy with what we did to create a group mentality and [improve] the spirit. We have managed to recover the confidence [of the players] – this was the most important work that we did.

“The spirit of the squad has been great, and most important. Without that spirit in the group, the confidence will not be there and it is impossible to win. Sometimes you can win one game because one player has scored a goal. But without the spirit it is impossible.”

Capello views his side’s 1-0 defeat to France in his second game in charge as the turning point in England’s fortunes – simply because he made them believe.

“I think the most thing was when we lost to France,” he continued. “Back in the dressing room I told the players it was another step forward. And the players thought I was crazy!

“I knew before we played France it would be hard, as they have been world champions. And we played in France, and in Paris. For half-an-hour we played very well. And when you can play [well] for half-an-hour, you can play well for the whole game. After this game, because of that reason, we moved forward.

“I understood the problem immediately, when we played the first game against Switzerland [which they won 2-1 in February]. The players were not tested mentally and physically. When we played at Wembley I understood that these were not the same players [as they were for their clubs].

“I realised that the problem was in the mind of the players. Now we are better. We need time and we will continue to work. It is important to be a psychologist but we need good players to win! Good psychologist, bad players – it is impossible to win. We want to be better.”
Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker and captain, could be involved in England’s next squad too, says Capello – despite not featuring in his England teams so far.

The 29-year-old has been in good form for his club after an injury-hit year, and Capello, whose team host Slovakia in March’s friendly, said: “I know he has been playing very well, and scored a good goal [against Portsmouth in Sunday’s 3-0 win].

“The door of the national team is always open. I will check [his form] before the next international game. I will then decide if he is ready, if he is OK. The most important thing will be if he is fit.”

Capello also praised Aston Villa’s young forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and tipped them to star for England in the near future. He added: “I am very happy for the players who play at Aston Villa. I also like [James] Milner, who is another young player. These players are the future, and it is a bright future [for England].”

Labels: England, Fabio Capello, Michael Owen, World Cup 2010

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CAPELLO: ENGLAND WILL NOT GO FOR DRAW

England head coach Fabio Capello has told his squad they will have to repeat their impressive performance away at Croatia to gain the win he is looking for against Belarus.

The Italian has masterminded a 100 per cent success rate so far in the campaign - England top Group Six - and he is hoping to make it four out of four against the Belarusians, who he claims will be "tough opponents".

"It is a very important game for us," said Capello. "I spoke with the players and told them that it is important to get a result as we have to wait six months for the next game.

"We are having a good moment, we have a lot of confidence, and we will be looking to get a positive result. If we win against Belarus we will be very happy because we will have won four out of four games and will have 12 points.

"We played one very strong game against Croatia away, which was important for the mind, for our confidence. And on Wednesday it will be another game that is not easy.

"I have seen three of Belarus' games and they have a good team. They drew with Argentina at home and drew with Germany so we know that it will be a very tough game.

"But I always think about the victory. I never tell the players that we are going for the draw, but that we have to win. We have to play like we played against Croatia: strong and quick.

"And it is important that we put good pressure on their players who have the ball. We don't want to play with long balls but with good movement off the ball."

Following impressive away victories over Andorra (2-0) and Croatia (4-1) last month, Capello's team romped to a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday.

And he believes that there is more to come from two-goal hero Wayne Rooney, the 22-year-old Manchester United forward.

"He is a player who can play in many different positions," continued the head coach.
"With Manchester United he plays on the left and the right and I thought he had a good game in Moscow in the Champions League Final when he was on the left.

"When he scored the other day playing as a second striker he looked good. I am very happy about Rooney because he is a fantastic player. We have a lot of good players in this England squad."

Capello also believes that Chelsea's Wayne Bridge, who hasn't not started a competitive game for England in over a year, will be a more than adequate replacement for the injured left-back Ashley Cole.

"I think he is the best left-back behind Ashley Cole - that is why he is in my squad," Capello added. "I saw him play his last game and I think he will be fine on Wednesday."

Labels: England, Fabio Capello, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:33 pm | Permalink | Comments

CAPELLO: ENGLAND WILL NOT GO FOR DRAW

England head coach Fabio Capello insists that his team will not be playing for a draw when they take on World Cup qualifying opponents Belarus in Minsk on Wednesday.

The Italian has masterminded a 100 per cent success rate so far in the campaign - England top Group Six - and he is hoping to make it four out of four against the Belarusians, who he claims will be "tough opponents".

"It is a very important game for us," said the 62-year-old former Real Madrid manager. "I spoke with the players and told them that it is important to get a result as we have to wait six months for the next game.

"We are having a good moment, we have a lot of confidence, and we will be looking to get a positive result. If we win against Belarus we will be very happy because we will have won four out of four games and will have 12 points.

"We played one very strong game against Croatia away, which was important for the mind, for our confidence. And on Wednesday it will be another game that is not easy.

"I have seen three of Belarus' games and they have a good team. They drew with Argentina at home and drew with Germany so we know that it will be a very tough game.

"But I always think about the victory. I never tell the players that we are going for the draw, but that we have to win. We have to play like we played against Croatia: strong and quick.

"And it is important that we put good pressure on their players who have the ball. We don't want to play with long balls but with good movement off the ball."

Following impressive away victories over Andorra (2-0) and Croatia (4-1) last month, Capello's team romped to a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday. And he believes that there is more to come from two-goal hero Wayne Rooney, the 22-year-old Manchester United forward.

"He is a player who can play in many different positions," continued the head coach. "With [his club Manchester United] he plays on the left and the right and I thought he had a good game in Moscow [when United won the Champions League in May] when he was on the left.

"When he scored the other day playing as a second striker he looked good. I am very happy about Rooney because he is a fantastic player. We have a lot of good players in this England squad."

Capello also believed that Chelsea's Wayne Bridge, who hasn't not started a competitive game for England in over a year, will be a more than adequate replacement for the injured left-back Ashley Cole.

"I think he is the best left-back behind Ashley Cole - that is why he is in my squad," Capello added. "I saw him play his last game and I think he will be fine on Wednesday."

Labels: Belarus, England, Fabio Capello, World Cup 2010

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ENGLAND BOOERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED - FERDINAND

England captain Rio Ferdinand was delighted that his team managed to grab three points against Kazakhstan at Wembley, but hoped that those supporters who booed Ashley Cole for his mistake which led to the opposition’s goal in the 5-1 World Cup Qualifier would feel “ashamed”.

The 29-year-old, who was handed the skipper’s armband by Fabio Capello in the absence of injured John Terry, scored his side’s first goal after a goalless first half. He said: “I think the first goal is always the most important. We had a couple of half-chances in the first half, one in particular that flashed across to Emile [Heskey]. If that goes in it is a totally different first half.

“But we kept plugging away and in the second half we created some opening and Wayne [Rooney] put a couple away and I was lucky to get on the scoresheet too.

“At the end of the day the result is the most important thing. Obviously we would have liked to have played better, especially in the first half. But saying that, we won 5-1. We could do better, but with three points on the board we have to be pleased with that.”

On the booing aimed at left-back Cole, the Manchester United centre back added: “It is disappointing. When any player makes a mistake what we want to do is get behind him and gee him up. So much so that when he has his next touch he gets his confidence back and plays himself back into the game.

“It doesn’t help when the fans are booing one of your own players. Hopefully the people who have done that will feel ashamed of themselves. I thought Ashley played well today apart from that one blip. Everyone makes mistakes and we have got to get on with it.”

Labels: England, Kazakhstan, Rio Ferdinand, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

ROONEY: ENGLAND WERE RIGHT NOT TO BE PANICKED

England’s two-goal hero Wayne Rooney was pleased that the team did not get panicked and resort to long-ball tactics despite not scoring against Kazakhstan, ranked 105 places below Fabio Capello’s 15th-placed team, in the first half. The Manchester United star, who scored his 16th and 17th goals in his 47th appearance for the national team, knew that patience would be the virtue that would secure the Group Six win and propel Capello's team to the top of the table.

The 22-year-old said: “The key was being patient as we knew Kazakhstan would come here and try to break up our game. In the first half we had a couple of chances and could have gone into the break one or two goals up. We knew that we had to be patient and not to rush it and kick the ball long.

“We knew the chances would come and thankfully we took them and ended up with an easy victory. We know we can play better but the result is the main thing. We keep getting those points on the board and we are delighted at that.”

Labels: England, Kazakhstan, Wayne Rooney, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:13 pm | Permalink | Comments

CAPELLO: FANS WERE WRONG TO BOO COLE

England manager Fabio Capello, who earlier in the week had urged supporters to applaud the national team, hit out at the Wembley crowd for booing Ashley Cole during England’s 5-1 World Cup Qualifying win over lowly Kazakhstan, ranked 105 places below their hosts according to Fifa.

The result means England have a 100 per cent success rate after three games, and they sit clear at the top of Group Six. But, to the frustration of supporters, the Italian’s team did not open the scoring until 52 minutes, when stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand headed in. Two goals from Ferdinand’s Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney, a strike from substitute Jermain Defoe and an own goal followed.

But Chelsea defender Cole allowed the visitors a consolation goal when his misguided pass found onrushing striker Zhambyl Kukeyev and briefly let the Kazakhs back into the game at 2-1. Capello was disappointed by the fans’ reaction who aimed their derision at the left-back following the blunder.

“He did one mistake,” protested Capello. “I don’t understand why the crowd boo against one player.

“When you play you can do a mistake. It is easy. The crowd help us a lot but I do not understand why they are against us for one mistake.”

Despite the reaction of sections of the Wembley crowd, the England coach pronounced himself pleased with the performance.

“It’s a good result,” he added. “We played a good second half and also the first half [was good]. After 2-0 we had more occasions to score the third goal.”

Labels: Ashley Cole, England, Fabio Capello, Kazakhstan, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:10 pm | Permalink | Comments

SPAIN CAPTAIN CASILLAS: FA ARE "FOOLISH AND STUPID" TO MOVE FRIENDLY

Spanish captain Iker Casillas has slammed the Football Association as 'foolish and stupid' for requesting the European Champions move the friendly match against England away from Madrid.

England were due to play in the Spanish capital on February 11, but have demanded the game takes place elsewhere.

FIFA fined the Spanish federation 100,000 Swiss francs (£45,000) after England's Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas were racially abused at the Bernabeu on England's last visit there in 2004.

But Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas, whose heroics earned Spain their first Euro title since 1964 in June, believes that the FA are punishing the majority for the actions of the minority.

"That decision seems to me a triviality, foolish and stupid," said the 27-year-old who has won 86 caps for his country. "In every ground there are a small number of people that shout against everything and everyone. But you cannot generalise.

"And the crowd at the Bernabéu had always demonstrated its respect and its taste by cheering good football."

Labels: England, football, Iker Casillas, Spain, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:09 pm | Permalink | Comments

FEENEY AND WORTHINGTON CONFIDENT OF QUALIFYING FOR SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Northern Ireland go into their 2010 World Cup qualifiers in their best ever position in Fifa's world rankings, and confidence couldn't be higher as they attempt to reach the finals for the first time in 22 years. After a superb effort in their European Championship qualifiers - they finished Group F in third behind eventual Euro 2008 winners Spain and Sweden - Northern Ireland moved up to 32nd in the world.

Only four years ago they were 124th (out of 200) in the rankings, the lowest in their history. But a number of eye-catching victories since then - most notably against England and Spain - have reignited a belief in Northern Ireland that their boys can qualify for their fourth World Cup; their first since Mexico 1986 and the days of Colin Clarke and Norman Whiteside.

In Group three, which begins in early September, they take on the might of Czech Republic and Poland, teams who both qualified for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, as well as Slovenia, Slovakia and lowly San Marino. With only one team guaranteed to proceed (there will be a play-off for second-placed teams) Northern Ireland Ballymena-born head coach Nigel Worthington knows that every game will count.

The former Norwich manager said: "It's more difficult than the Euro 2008 qualifiers as only one team qualifies automatically, but it's very interesting and there's plenty to look forward to."

On the calibre of the teams Northern Ireland will face, the 46-year-old, who won 66 caps for his country, added: "The Czechs and Poland stand out straight away - they are very strong, in-form teams. Slovakia and Slovenia, certainly away from Windsor Park, will not be easy games while San Marino are one of those teams you are expected to beat.

"I would rather have the group this way than have three to four easy teams and one difficult one. We've got to be on your mettle from game one."

Forward Warren Feeney admits that his team-mates were originally wary of the strength of the group, but believes that if they keep things tight at home, Windsor Park, the rest should follow. The 27-year-old, who stars in the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United, said: "My initial feeling was that it is going to be a tough group. We will have to respect all the teams, regardless of where they are in the rankings, or what they have done in the past.

"We may be expected to roll Slovenia and Slovakia over, but it'll be very tricky going to Eastern Europe. It's going to be a hard group for us, but so was our last campaign and look what happened then.

"Coming off the back of the European Championship qualifying group, and what we achieved there, confidence couldn't be higher. We were really disappointed not to make it to the Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Even going into the final match we still had a chance to qualify. It was a great feeling and we want to make sure we go all the way this next time.

"Not many years ago we were 124th in the world, and the fact that we are nearly in the top 30 just shows you how far we have come. Poland are now only three places above in the rankings so we can travel there knowing that there will be hardly anything to choose between the two sides. We can be confident against every team now, and it wasn't too long ago that we beat the newly-crowned champions of Europe, Spain."

In September 2006 Northern Ireland defeated the Spaniards 3-2 at home, thanks to a David Healy hat-trick. Feeney is hopeful that striker Healy, who broke Davor Suker's 1996 record by scoring 13 goals in the European Championships qualifiers, can continue his rich vein of form for his county. "David was phenomenal and to receive an award from (Uefa President) Michel Platini just summed everything up for him," he said of the 29-year-old. "His record of 34 goals in 64 internationals is unbelievable. It is a great bonus having him in our team but we all want to chip in."

Feeney is confident that his team will be hard to beat at home, having turned Windsor Park - with they help of vociferous support - into an intimidating footballing fortress. He continued: "The group will be tight, but we can beat anyone at home. Windsor Park is a major factor and we know we won't drop many points there. It's a tight ground and the fans get right behind us and roar us on. It may be small but we fill the stadium and it has an amazing atmosphere.

"People talk about the crowd being the 12th man, well Windsor Park is like having 14 men! Teams really don't like coming to play us there. If we pick up some points away we will be there or there about the top."

Focusing on the favourites for Group three, he added: "From watching the European Championships, I think the Czechs (knocked out in the second round) will have come away disappointed. They were one of the teams that were fancied to do well. And Poland will be disappointed by their showing. But we could and should have been there, so they won't get any special treatment. There are also the other teams in the group to worry about as well."

Northern Ireland play the Czechs away in the last qualifier in October 2009, and Feeney knows it could be a crucial top-of-the-table clash. "Hopefully we will have it wrapped up by then, and we can go there and enjoy ourselves," he jokes. "No, they will be the favourites of the group, so we can expect that one to be the toughest game. But at least we will go there knowing what we need to do

"It would be so massive for the whole country if we could qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, as we haven't managed to do so for 22 years now. It would be fantastic for us personally, but more importantly for the whole of Northern Ireland. Hopefully we can do it this time."

NORTHERN IRELAND'S QUALIFIERS

Saturday, 6th September 2008
Slovakia v Northern Ireland

Wednesday, 10th September 2008
Northern Ireland v Czech Republic

Saturday, 11th October 2008
Slovenia v Northern Ireland

Wednesday, 15th October 2008
Northern Ireland v San Marino

Wednesday, 11th February 2009
San Marino v Northern Ireland

Saturday, 28th March 2009
Northern Ireland v Poland

Wednesday, 1st April 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovenia

Saturday, 5th September 2009
Poland v Northern Ireland

Wednesday, 9th September 2009
Northern Ireland v Slovakia

Wednesday, 14th October 2009
Czech Republic v Northern Ireland

Labels: Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland, Warren Feeney, World Cup 2010

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