Uruguay v Holland

Holland haven't reached the World Cup Final in 1978. That year, Holland lost in extra time 3-1 to host nation Argentina. In 2010, most bookies got it wrong when they progressed past the quarter final pushing aside Dunga's Brazil.

Tonight, the Dutch are the favourites. I think Snejder will turn it on again for them - what a player - you'd love to see him in the Premier League. Gooner Robin Van Persie is fit too, not too mention ex Chelsea left footer Robben.

For Uruguay, this is a return to their old World Cup from years back. You have to go back to 1970 for the last time that they made the semi-finals where they finished fourth. It could be said this year they've over achieved to be the only South American team in the last four, especially when they were the lasr team to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Uruguay star man Diego Forlan will relish this evening's challenge - he has had a superb World Cup and this is one player you could imagine coming back to England after a mixed spell with Manchester United.

This semi-final should be a great game - very tight. Good luck to Uruguay!

Slovenia 0 England 1 World Cup 2010 RESULT

England were runner's up in Group C with USA topping the group. Were England great in this 0-1 victory against Slovenia? Yes! Especially mid second half, England were electric. Attacking, passing waves of football.

Rooney, Lampard and Gerard were all great - our key players that can make us winning the World Cup. James Milner stroked the ball about in a way that makes you think that he could be key and the other new recruit Jermain Defoe did what he does best - putting the ball into the net to put us into the last 16.

Great form from the Chelsea defenders Cole and Terry. Ashley Cole looks like the best left back in the world and John Terry comes across as an unofficial captain as he rallyed round the players at full time. Nothing like a win to galvanise the boys.

Fabio Capello said "I re-found the team that got qualification." A sharp upturn in form - we will need to keep upping our game but isn't it great to stay in the World Cup??

ENG - GER - LAND !

Slovenia 0 England 1. Defoe and Milner have a great first half.

England are winning their group match 1-0 against Slovenia. They came close several times to a second and it should come. Good tactical decisions were displayed by Fabio Capello. Amongst the sounds of vuvuzelas in South Africa, England displayed more composure and improved passing skills. Jermaine Defoe scored from a James Milner cross early in the first half of this make or break World Cup group match. Great cross after great cross from James Milner, who will be making it hard for Aaron Lennon to get that right sided midfield slot back again. Gerard was relatively discipline in the first half for England - the formation is better but I think there is more that could be done to make us look like World Cup champions.

James Milner starts for England in Midfield. Come on England

Good luck to Jame Milner of Horsforth today - always great to see a Leeds lad in the first team of England in the World Cup!

James Milner will take the right side of midfield from Aaron Lennon (of Chapeltown, Leeds!) after a below par appearance.

10 reasons why England can win the World Cup

Beckenbauer - the kaiser of comedy. I think this will galvanise our boys - I want Robert Green to start and play out of his skin. If we show the form we did in the World Cup qualification process, then we will make the semi-final stage at least.

Here are my ten reasons why the mighty England can win the 2010 World Cup:

1. Wayne Rooney. The best in the world.
2. Steven Gerrard. If Kaka had scored that goal against USA the media would still be bleating on about it.
3. Frank Lampard. Stepping up to partner Gerard proving all critics wrong.
4. Aaron Lennon. Looking sharp and every bit a first team choice.
5. Glenn Johnson. Our best defender against the americans.
6. Ashley Cole. Best left back in the world.
7. John Terry. Calm on the ball and tough when off it.
8. Fabio Capello. Flawless tactician and organiser.
9. Emile Heskey. Not there for goals - there for the team.
10. Team spirit. Three lions boys!

World Cup 2010 Preview Blog

World Cup 2010 South Africa Preview

How exciting is the World Cup? I vividly remember '86, '90, briefly '94 (I like Graham Taylor but he was never the man for England), '98, 2002 and 2006...all fond memories.

So the South Africa vs Mexico game opens the World Cup today. Brave South Africa have put more work into the training ground and friendlies than any other team...we all hope for a respectable home team performance. It would be great to see the South Africans get through the group stage.

The big guns will have a great scrap at last 16/quarter/semi stages. I fancy Argentina to get to the final - I quite fancy England to get to the semis...and at that point - who knows I guess.

Enjoy the international football feast fellow bloggers!

England's First World Cup Round

England's First World Cup Round

England have qualified for the World Cup in South Africa 2010, and having been matched with the USA, Slovenia, and Algeria – the nation begin their games, against the former, on 12th June 2010 in Rustenburg, in the heart of the Savannah Bushveld. Despite a few exceptions, little is known of the USA squad, however, they did beat European Champions Spain recently, and have a few famous Premiership faces in their lineup.

Tim Howard, the ex Manchester United and now Everton goalkeeper will almost certainly start in goal, with Watford defender Jay DeMerit providing a solid basis for the USA defence. However, England should forget about winning the trophy if they fail to beat a side such as the Americans. DeMarcus Beasley, who is currently playing for Rangers, will probably lineup on the left hand side of midfield, and could cause problems with his base and agility – however, he isn’t particularly proven on the world stage, despite a stint at PSV Eindhoven, and Glen Johnston should keep him relatively quiet. The teenage sensation Freddy Adu, currently plying his trade in Portugal, was tipped to be a footballing sensation. He was due for a trial period at Manchester United, and was eagerly scouted by Europe’s top managers – whether he will start against England is another matter, but if he does, he may well be dangerous. England’s defensive midfield, perhaps Gareth Barry if he starts, will be looking to keep tabs on the USA’s most prolific player, the Fulham playmaker, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey is proven at the highest level, and scores regularly in the Premier League – in the game against England, he’ll be looking to slip into the space behind the strikers and feed balls through. One man who’ll be looking to get on the end of those passes, is Landon Donovan, the USA’s most popular player, and David Beckham’s teammate at Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan has played on loan at Everton this season and has shown just why he’s considered one of the finest players around.

So, England may not have as an easy as group as first thought, however bookies are certain to see a lot of online betting in favour of England this summer!

Has Bridge made the right decision to quit England?

World Cup News 25/02/10 Wayne Bridge rules himself out of the World Cup Squad dor 2010

In an announcement made today through his lawyers, Wayne Bridge stated his intention to withdraw from the national squad as his position had become "untenable and potentially divisive". No doubt Bridge has had a difficult few weeks since his ex-fiancee's affair with the former England captain John Terry has become tabloid fodder and it is sad to see a talented player rule himself out of such a prestigious tournament for such reasons.

There is no doubt that Wayne Bridge is a good player, although his international career and his time at Man City have not quite fulfilled the promise of his performances at Chelsea. However although Ashley Cole is a doubt for South Africa with his injured ankle (thankfully his extra-marital activities do not appear to have been with team mates' partners) Capello does still have options at left back, including Everton's Leighton Baines and Villa's Stephen Warnock.

My worries however are that Bridge's actions suggest there have already been damaging repercussions to Terry's behaviour in the England camp. After 44 years without a win, the pressure on Team England is immense and none of the players or serious fans would welcome media speculation about whether Team Bridge were playing well with Team Terry. Barring injury Terry will definitely be on the plane to South Africa, so hopefully the rest of the squad can draw a line under "Terrygate" and focus on bringing back the World Cup. Wayne Bridge deserves our sympathy and now at least he can be confident now that any failure of the England squad to perform will not be laid at his door.

Toni given World Cup hope by Lippi

Luca Toni's move back to Italy could put him in the reckoning to play for the Azzurri in the World Cup this summer.

The veteran striker has made a loan move to Roma following a frustrating period at Bayern Munich and got his first start back in Serie A in his new side's 1-0 victory over Chievo.

Toni has not played for Italy since the Confederations Cup in the summer of 2009, but Marcelo Lippi has opened the door for him to return if he can regain fitness and show some good form before the end of the season.

However, Lippi did warn that he can only have 23 players on the plane to South Africa and he remains "happy and convinced" he will be able to choose from a large number of players in the coming months.

Indeed, this wide pool of players should help ensure Italian are among the favourites when it comes to World Cup football betting.

Speaking about Toni's first appearance back in Serie A, Lippi said: "I saw a great performance by Toni. I was very impressed considering he had not played for several months."

"I follow all the games. I am monitoring everything," he added.

Toni's new teammate Francesco Totti recently said he would be willing to return from international retirement for Italy is he was fit and selected by Lippi.

The veteran quit after Italy's World Cup 2006 victory but now has said he will go to South Africa is Lippi wants him as part of the squad.

England World Cup 2010 group C - 'The group of life'?

World Cup Draw - 04/12/2009

World Cup Group C
Algeria
England
Slovenia
USA

After England's annihilation of Croatia, Belarus, Andorra, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine you would struggle to see how Cappello's squad could possibly fail in their attempts to progress past the first stage of the World Cup 2010. Paddy Power have moved our odds from 6/1 to 11/2 after the World Cup groupings were announced, making England the third favourite, with Spain as favourites and Brazil as second favourite.

As an avid England fan I admire Capello's cool, Italian swagger stating his views on the group as 'Not so bad'. He has to be delighted. We play the USA first which in my mind is a good thing because I think at major tournaments the Americans rise to the challenge.

Spain also have a positive group H with Chile, Switzerland and Honduras. Brazil arguably have the worst group G with the Ivory Coast and Portugal in it.

World Cup draw 2010

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland