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Saturday 15th October 2005
England vs. Finland
Villa Park, Birmingham

The final game in the World Cup Qualifying for 2006. England has already qualifyed and Finland couldn't get into the playoffs.
The odds for England were 2-5 to win, Finland had 13-2 and a draw was 11-4.

England
GK Steve Harper
DR Phil Neville
DL James McEveley
DC Sol Campbell
DC Rio Ferdinard (c)
MR David Beckham
ML Wayne Bridge
MC Steven Gerrard
MC Joe Cole
FC Shola Ameobi
FC Wayne Rooney
Subs
Ian Walker
Jermain Defoe
John Terry
Owen Hargreaves
Kevin Davies
Jon Macken
Michael Dawson

Finland
GK Antti Niemi
DR Antti Heinola
DL Janne Saarinen
DC Petri Pasanen
DC Hannu Tihinen (c)
MR Teemu Tainio
ML Joonas Kolkka
MC Aki Riihilahtin
MC Jari Litmanen
MC Antti Okkonen
FC Mikael Forssell
Subs
Jussi Jaaskelainsen
Eremenko jr
Jari Niemi
Paulus Roiha
Markus Heikkinen
Sami Mahilo
Daniel Sjolund

The game started off badly for England when Kolkka made Neville look like a fool and ran towards the goal. It was lucky that he shot it wide.
However he was rewarded on the 21th minute when he beat past the English defence and made Harper look fooling.
But England fought back and on the 42th minute England got a corner. Beckham swang it in and Rooney got over Okkonen and headed the ball in the back of the net.
England continued to attack against Finland in the second half.
Rooney was about to get a second goal when Niemi kicked the ball to Heinola when he robbed the ball off him and shot from 35 feet.

England 2
Rooney 42, 56

Finland 1
Kolkka

Harper 8, Neville 7, McEveley 7, Campbell 8, Ferdinard 7, Beckham 5 (Hargreaves on 56 min 7), Bridge 7, Gerrard 7, Cole 7 (Macken on 76 min 7), Ameobi 9*(mom), Rooney 8 (Defoe on 65 min 7)

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A quick review of what happened in the group

Pos Inf Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts
1st Q England 8 6 2 0 11 2 +9 20
2nd Pl Scotland 8 4 3 1 14 8 +6 15
3rd Norway 8 2 2 4 7 8 -1 8
4th Finland 8 2 2 4 8 12 -4 8
5th Cyprus 8 1 1 6 8 18 -10 4






Saturday 11th September 2004
England 2 : 1 Scotland
Cyprus 1 : 2 Finland

Wednesday 15th September 2004
Finland 1 : 1 Norway
Scotland 2 : 2 Cyprus

Saturday 16th October 2004
Norway 1 : 1 Scotland
Cyprus 0 : 1 England

Saturday 2nd April 2005
England 1 : 0 Norway
Scotland 3 : 1 Finland

Wednesday 6th April 2005
Finland 0 : 0 England
Norway 3 : 0 Cyprus

Saturday 11th June 2005
Finland 2 : 1 Cyprus
Scotland 0 : 0 England

Wednesday 15th June 2005
Norway 2 : 0 Finland
Cyprus 1 : 4 Scotland

Saturday 10th September 2005
England 4 : 0 Cyprus
Scotland 1 : 0 Norway

Wednesday 14th September 2005
Norway 0 : 1 England
Finland 1 : 2 Scotland

Saturday 15th October 2005
England 2 : 1 Finland
Cyprus 3 : 0 Norway

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Wednesday 21th December 2005

The World Cup was decided today in Berlin. All the repecentives waited in antipation to see what group their country got.

Group A
Cameroom
Mexico
Romania
Russia

Prediction: Mexica and Romania to qualify but Cameroom and Russia shouldn't be written off.

Group B
England
Germany
Iceland
Peru

Prediction: Germany favourites to win the group and England to be second.

Group C
Argentina (cheating ****)
Costa Rica
Poland
Portagul

Prediction: Argentina and Portagul are the likely winning in this group.

Group D
China
Colombia
Italy
Lebanon

Prediction: Colombia and Italy, no question.

Group E
Burkina Faso
Japan
Saudi Arabia
U.S.A

Prediction: Japan and U.S.A are the likely contenters. This would seen as the group of the weaker nations.

Group F
Bulgaria
France
Greece
Ivory Coast

Prediction: France and Greece but then Bulgaria have a good side. Greece had to quailfy in playoffs against Scotland, Bulgaria automatically quailfy.

Group G
Chile
Nigeria
Spain
Sweden

Prediction: Group of Death. None of these sides will be written off. Likely to be Spain and Nigeria but as said above Sweden and Chile are good.

Group H
Angola
Brazil
Iran
Ukraine

Prediction: Brazil without a doubt and Ukraine possibly would qualitfy.

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Thursday 23th March 2005
For England's preparion for the World Cup England would be playing Colombia in a Friendly at St. James' Park.

Goalkeeper
Steve Harper 2 Caps, Age 31, Celtic
Chris Kirkwood 6 Caps, Age 24, Real Sociedad
Ian Walker 3 Caps, Age 34, Leicester

Defencers
Wes Brown 9 Caps, Age 26, Newcastle
Phil Neville 50 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 29, Man Utd
Wayne Bridge 17 Caps, Age 25, Liverpool
James McEveley 2 Caps, Age 21, Blackburn
Matthew Upson 5 Caps, Age 26, Birmingham
Sol Campbell 63 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 31, Arsenal
Rio Ferdinard 49 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 27, Man Utd
Michael Dawson 5 Caps, Age 22, Man Utd
John Terry 3 Caps, Age 25, Chelsea

[b]Midfielders[/I]
Steven Gerrard 34 Caps, 5 Goals, Age 25, Liverpool
Owen Hargreaves 27 Caps, 2 Goals, Age 25, Man Utd
Jermaine Jenas 5 Caps, Age 23, Newcastle
Michael Carrick 6 Caps, Age 24, Cheivo
David Beckham 75 Caps, 12 Goals, Age 30, Man Utd.
Kieron Dyer 28 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 27, Newcastle
Jermaine Pennant 2 Caps, Age 23, Arsenal
Kieran Richardson 6 Caps, 2 Goals, Age 21, Man Utd
Joe Cole 19 Caps, Age 24, Chelsea

Forwards
Matt Jansen 6 Caps, 2 Goals, Age 28, Blackburn
Wanye Rooney 18 Caps, 8 Goals, Age 20, Man Utd
Shola Ameobi 4 Caps, 1 Goals, Age 24, Newcastle
James Beattie 8 Caps, Age 28, Southampton
Tommy Wright 1 U21 Cap, 1 U21 Goal, Age 21, Leicester

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Saturday 1st April 2005
England vs. Colombia
St. James's Park, Newcastle

April Fool's day! and day of the big match against Colombia, the land of rainforsest and drug bacons. This would be a good test for England.

England
GK Chris Kirkland
DR Phil Neville
DL James McEveley
DC Sol Campbell
DC Rio Ferdinard (c)
MR David Beckham
ML Kieran Richardson
MC Owen Hargreaves
MC Joe Cole
FC Shola Ameobi
FC Wanye Rooney
Subs
Ian Walker
Tommy Wright
John Terry
Steven Gerrard
Kieron Dyer
James Beattie
Michael Dawson
Jermaine Pennant
Jermaine Jenas
Matt Jansen
Wes Brown
Steve Harper

Colombia
GK Oscar Cordoba
DR Jarrson Amur Gonzalea (c)
DL Ruben Dairo Bustas
DC Ivan Ramiro Cordoba
DC Mario Yepes
MR Freddy Indurley Grisales
ML Kilian Edwin Virviescas
MC Jorge Bolano
MC Giovanny Hernandez
FC Oscar Eduardo Villareal
FC Johnnier Montano
Subs
Faryd Mondragon
Jose Hermes Mera
David Arturo Ferreira
Eudalio Arriaga
Pedro
Harold Lozano
Mauricio Alejandro Molina
Jairo Ferdando Castillo
Javier Eduardo Arizolo
Alexander Viveros
Jairo Leonardo Patino
Leider Calimendo Preciado

Again England were held to a 1-nil victory because of the excellent Goalkeeping of Colombia.
Rooney's finishing today was dier. He had many changes to score and blown them all. At half-time he was subbed off for Matt Jansen.
At the 57th minute England got their goal. Jansen crossed the ball to Beckham and he took the shoot. Cordora saved it but Beckham took the rebound and scored.
On the 77th minute Beckham could have had a second with a freekick, but hit the post.
England played better and should have got more, but Colombia did give a good performance.

Kirkland 8 (Walker on 45 min 8 mom), Neville 6 (Wright on 74 min 7), McEveley 7, Campball 7, Ferdinard 7 (Dawson on 74 min 6), Beckham 8, Richardson 6 (Brown on 58 min 7), Hargreaves 7 (Jenas on 66 min 7), Cole 7 (Dyer on 58 7), Ameobi 8 (Beattie on 74 min 6), Rooney 4 (Jansen on 45 min 7)

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Ebgland World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers
Steve Harper 2 Caps, Age 31, Celtic
Harper has had a career boath going up north, being the No. 1 goalie and help them with the Scottish Premier League and not even loosing a game.
Chris Kirkland 7 Caps, Age 25, Real Sociedad
Kirkland has also done well moving away from England and doing well for the Spainish club. He is now England's No. 1.
Ian Walker 4 Caps, Age 34, Leicester
The vertern is a bit of a surprise but he has done well for Leicester and they have stayed up.

Defencers
Wes Brown 10 Caps, Age 26, Newcastle
Someone Freemantle reject from Man Utd has done good at his adopted home. He is consident player and England will need that in the World Cup.
Phil Neville 51 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 29, Man Utd
A player that can play in many positions and bags full of experience. Prefect for a small squad.
James McEveley 4 Caps, Age 21, Blackburn
A young player with a great future. Last season's young player of the year and techinally flying the flag for Scotland as well.
Matthew Upson 5 Caps, Age 27, Birmingham
Proberly a backup player but could be needed.
Sol Campbell 64 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 31, Arsenal
A worldclass centre-back; what more can I say?
Rio Ferdinard 50 Caps, 1 Goal, Age 27, Man Utd
Another worldclass centre-back who is the captain, an obvious choose.
Michael Dawson 6 Caps, Age 22, Man Utd
Ferdinard's partner in crime. A dream partnership that made sure that Man Utd only conseeded 25 goals.

Midfielders
Steven Gerrard 34 Caps, 5 Goals, Age 25, Liverpool
Another Worldclass player! Can play in the centre and the right.
Owen Hargreaves 28 Caps, 2 Goals, Age 25, Man Utd
Can play anywhere except upfront. Play good football and did well to beat past Kleberson.
Jermaine Jenas 6 Caps, Age 23, Newcastle
Proberly the only person in Newcastle that was happy to see Dyer leave. Back in the squad and willing to do his best.
Michael Carrick 6 Caps, Age 24, Chievo
Happy in Italy. Doing well and the club is midtable.
David Beckham 76 Caps, 13 Goals, Age 31, Real Mardid
The most capped player in England, vice-captain and playing good football in Spain.
Kieron Dyer 29 Caps, 1 Goals, Age 27, Barcelona
Another player that moved to Spain. He has struggled at times and he hasn't mastered the language, but if he does well in the cup then it could make his career.
Kieran Richardson 7 Caps, 2 Caps, Age 21, Man Utd
A consident young winger with a left foot.
Joe Cole 20 Caps, 1 Goals, Age 24, Chelsea
He actually made the Chelsea squad this year. The past two season he was a super-sub.

Forwards
Matt Jansen 7 Caps, 2 Goals, Age 28, Blackburn
He has played a lot of matchs and has scored some goals. But he can be used as a winger as well.
Wanye Rooney 19 Caps, 8 Goals, Age 20, Man Utd
The wonderkid has scored goals and has made Man Utd his new home. He is also the youngest player in the squad.
Shola Ameobi 5 Caps, 1 Goals, Age 24, Newcastle
Ameobi is the most expensive member of the squad (£28.5 Millon). He scores goals and assists as well.
James Beattie 9 Caps, Age 28, Southampton
He has never scored an England goal but this tourlament could be his change to make he name in the international sense.

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Thursday 1st July 2006
SkyBet Odd
1st: Brazil Even
2nd: France 6-4
3rd: Germany 6-4
4th: Italy 6-4
5th: Argentina 6-4
6th: England 5-2

England have an outside change of winning this. If England could beat Germany within their group then they changes would increase.

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Saturday 3rd July 2006
Football Focus Interview

Ray Stubbs: And live from England's Training camp in Italy, Kieran Freemantle. Kieran welcome to the show.
KF: Thank you.
Ray Stubbs: You're welcome. First of all what do you think are your changes in the Cup.
KF: I think we have a very good change. I admit that some critics may say we are no hopers but I think they are just negative and anti-English.
RS: Well said. As you may of heard from the panel here we have notice some surprises like having Ian Walker and Steve Harper in the squad, but no Michael Owen.
KF: I do this job the way I want. I haven't lose an England game let and I don't intend to start in this tourlament.
RS: I know you are ambitious manager, but your England scores haven't been as great as your club score.
KF: International football is the toughest. I'm not saying club is easy but International sides pick the team possible and obviously the best defence and goalie.
RS: So what plans do you have for the game against Germany.
KF: I have been thinking about it, but I would be stupid to aid it on national team.
RS: Understandable. Turning to Man Utd; what comments do you have to say about John O'Shea smashing you in the Manchester Herald?
KF: John is good player, but I think he handled his problems the worst. I would of easily sat down with him and talk it out with him.
RS: Thank you and good luck in the cup.

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Wednesday 7th June 2006

Mexico 2
Iniguez 45, 90
Campos inj. 75
Cameroom 0


Romania 0
Filipescu sent off 43
Russia 2
Beschastnykh 27
Lobont own goal 31

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Thursday 8th June 2006
England vs. Germany
AWD-Arena, Hannover

This is England's toughest group match. This is the first match under Freemantle's rain when England are the underdogs. The odds were 5-4 for Germany, 7-4 for England and 11-5 for a draw.
But one think in England's favour is the last time they came to Germany the result was 5-1 to they favor.

England
GK Chris Kirkland
DR Phil Neville
DL James McEveley
DC Sol Campbell
DC Rio Ferdinard (c)
MR David Beckham
ML Kieran Richardson
MC Steven Gerrard
MC Kieron Dyer
FC Shola Ameobi
FC Wanye Rooney
Subs
Ian Walker
Matt Jansen
Wes Brown
Owen Hargreaves
Joe Cole
James Beattie
Michael Dawson

Germany
GK Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern)
DC Maik Franz (Wolfberg)
DC Jen Nowothny (Leverkusen)
DC Christoph Metzelder (Dortmund)
MR Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04)
ML Christain Rahn (HSV)
MC Michael Ballack (FC Bayern)
MC Sebastian Kehl (c) (Dortmund)
AMC Sebastian Deisler (Barcelona)
FC Oliver Neuville (HSV)
FC Miroslav Klose (Chelsea)
Subs
Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart)
Torsten Frings (Dortmund)
Marcel Ketelaer (Gladbach)
Hanno Balitsch (Werder Bremen)
Tobias Rau (FC Bayern)
Carsten Jancker (Greuther Furth)
Kevin Kuranyi (VfB Stuttgart)

This could be the match that could make or break England or Germany. In the crowd was Prime Minister Michael Howard and the German Chancellor.
England were playing in white, Germany in grey.
The first change came to Germany in the 5th minute when Rahn tried to get a score, but saved by Kirkland.
The second change came on the 15th minute when Klose crossed the ball to Ballack and headed the ball at the crossball.
But the first goal came to England, not to Germany. Ameobi was able to header the ball to Rooney. He was able to run pass the defence, force Kahn out of his goal and shot passed him.
But at the 37th minute Deisler scored a goal. He was given space and able to score.
42th minute was England's second goal. Rooney crossed the ball into the box where Ameobi headed the ball into the net.
But England's lead was not to last. Deisler scored a fanstaic freekick and was able to save face for his nation.
They were no goals in the second half, but both sides had changes. It was a fair result for sides.

Kirkland 7, Neville 6, McEveley 7, Ferdinard (c) 7, Campball 7, Beckham 3 (Hargreaves on 45min 7), Richardson 7, Gerrard 7, Dyer 4 (Cole on 73 min 6), Ameobi 7 (Beattie on 63 min 7), Rooney 8