2010 World Cup: Group C Preview
June 9th 2010 19:08
On paper, Group C seems like an easy task for England but a surging American squad and a cohesive Slovenian block could prove tricky to deal with.
Overview
It's amazing to think that England hasn't won a World Cup since 1966 with the amount of talent that passed through the ranks (especially from '94 and on). After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, the Three Lions were put under under the tutelage of disciplinarian Fabio Capello. The team dominated their qualifying group with nine wins and one loss (which came after their qualification was secured), scoring 34 goals in the process while conceding only six. Preparation games were also positive as they defeated Egypt, Mexico and Japan – not exactly football powerhouses, but at least on the same level as the other teams in their group.
England's only weaknesses seem to be at the back and in goal, but you would think their striking power - with names such as Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard - more than make up for those flaws. Gareth Barry, the lone defensive midfielder on the squad – don't get me started on Carrick – will miss the first game, leaving a hole in midfield which will hopefully filled adequately by the Manchester United man.
Full squad list
GK: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
DEF: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham)
MID: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
FW: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)
Keep an eye on: Wayne Rooney
Most of England's starting XI are stars in their own right, but England's success will definitely depend on Wayne Rooney's performance. The young striker (we always seem to forget that he's only 24) had a fantastic season, scoring 34 goals in 44 games and winning the PFA's Player of the Year award.
Overview
The USA shocked the world over last year by getting to the Confederations Cup final (and grabbing a 2-0 lead against Brazil before half-time), knocking out Spain in the semi-finals. They'll be hoping to repeat this magical run this year, starting with a “can't-miss” game against England.
Full squad list
GK: Tim Howard (Everton [England]), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa [England]), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton [England])
DEF: Jonathan Spector (West Ham United [England]), Carlos Bocangera (Rennes [France]), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan [Italy]), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96 [Germany]), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay Demerit (Watford [England]), Clarence Goodson (IK Start [Norway])
MID: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach [Germany]), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers [Scotland]), Clint Dempsey (Fulham [England]), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Stuart Holden (Bolton [England]), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt [Germany]), Francisco Torres (Pachuca [Mexico]), Maurice Edu (Rangers [Scotland]), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus [Denmark])
FW: Herculez Gomez (Puebla [Mexico]), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jozy Altidore (Hull City [England]), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
Keep an eye on: Clint Dempsey
“Deuce” was instrumental in both the US' progress to the Confederations Cup final and Fulham's wonderful run to the Europa League final. He usually plays on the wings but don't be surprised to see Bob Bradley push him up to play forward.
Overview
I honestly don't know much about Algeria except what I've seen from their play-off encounter against Egypt and it wasn't pretty. Injuries have also limited this squad who aren't expected to do much in South Africa.
Full squad list
GK: Lounes Gaouaoui (Chlef), Faouzi Chaouchi (Setif), Rais M Bohli (Slavia Sofia [Bulgaria])
DEF: Madjid Bougherra (Rangers [Scotland]), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth [England]), Anther Yahia (Bochum [Germany]), Rafik Halliche (Nacional Madeira [Portugal]), Habib Bellaid (Boulogne [France]), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio [France]), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce [Italy])
MID: Yazid Mansouri (Lorient [France]), Ryad Boudebouz (Sochaux [France]), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander [Spain]), Karim Matmour (Borussia Moenchengladbach [Germany]), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg [Germany]), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton [England]), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth [England]), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes [France]), Djamal Abdoun (Nantes [France])
FW: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena [Italy]), Rafik Saifi (Istres [France]), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens [Greece])
Overview
Again, I don't know much about Slovenia but the fact that they knocked out Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia to make it to the World Cup show that they're a resilient team, not easily put down.
Full squad list
GK: Samir Handanovic (Udinese [Italy]), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova [Italy]), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam [Netherlands])
DEF: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne [Germany]), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Marko Suler (Gent [Belgium]), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble [France]), Branko Ilic (FC Moscow [Russia]), Bojan Jokic (Chievo [Italy]), Suad Filekovic (Maribor), Matej Mavric (TuS Koblenz [Germany])
MID: Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion [England]), Valter Birsa (Auxerre [France]), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan [Italy]), Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow [Poland]), Aleksandar Radosavljevic (Larissa [Greece]), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv [Israel]), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem [Netherlands])
FW: Nejc Pecnic (Naciona Madeira [Portugal]), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent [Belgium]), Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne [Germany]), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum [Germany]), Tim Matavz (Groningen [Netherlands])
Keep an eye on: Samir Handanovic
Udinese's goalkeeper is the foundation of this defensive side. If he falters, so does the rest of the team.
ENGLAND
Overview
It's amazing to think that England hasn't won a World Cup since 1966 with the amount of talent that passed through the ranks (especially from '94 and on). After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, the Three Lions were put under under the tutelage of disciplinarian Fabio Capello. The team dominated their qualifying group with nine wins and one loss (which came after their qualification was secured), scoring 34 goals in the process while conceding only six. Preparation games were also positive as they defeated Egypt, Mexico and Japan – not exactly football powerhouses, but at least on the same level as the other teams in their group.
England's only weaknesses seem to be at the back and in goal, but you would think their striking power - with names such as Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard - more than make up for those flaws. Gareth Barry, the lone defensive midfielder on the squad – don't get me started on Carrick – will miss the first game, leaving a hole in midfield which will hopefully filled adequately by the Manchester United man.
Full squad list
GK: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
DEF: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham)
MID: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
FW: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)
Keep an eye on: Wayne Rooney
Most of England's starting XI are stars in their own right, but England's success will definitely depend on Wayne Rooney's performance. The young striker (we always seem to forget that he's only 24) had a fantastic season, scoring 34 goals in 44 games and winning the PFA's Player of the Year award.
UNITED STATES
Overview
The USA shocked the world over last year by getting to the Confederations Cup final (and grabbing a 2-0 lead against Brazil before half-time), knocking out Spain in the semi-finals. They'll be hoping to repeat this magical run this year, starting with a “can't-miss” game against England.
Full squad list
GK: Tim Howard (Everton [England]), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa [England]), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton [England])
DEF: Jonathan Spector (West Ham United [England]), Carlos Bocangera (Rennes [France]), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan [Italy]), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96 [Germany]), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay Demerit (Watford [England]), Clarence Goodson (IK Start [Norway])
MID: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach [Germany]), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers [Scotland]), Clint Dempsey (Fulham [England]), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Stuart Holden (Bolton [England]), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt [Germany]), Francisco Torres (Pachuca [Mexico]), Maurice Edu (Rangers [Scotland]), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus [Denmark])
FW: Herculez Gomez (Puebla [Mexico]), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jozy Altidore (Hull City [England]), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
Keep an eye on: Clint Dempsey
“Deuce” was instrumental in both the US' progress to the Confederations Cup final and Fulham's wonderful run to the Europa League final. He usually plays on the wings but don't be surprised to see Bob Bradley push him up to play forward.
Algeria
Overview
I honestly don't know much about Algeria except what I've seen from their play-off encounter against Egypt and it wasn't pretty. Injuries have also limited this squad who aren't expected to do much in South Africa.
Full squad list
GK: Lounes Gaouaoui (Chlef), Faouzi Chaouchi (Setif), Rais M Bohli (Slavia Sofia [Bulgaria])
DEF: Madjid Bougherra (Rangers [Scotland]), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth [England]), Anther Yahia (Bochum [Germany]), Rafik Halliche (Nacional Madeira [Portugal]), Habib Bellaid (Boulogne [France]), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio [France]), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce [Italy])
MID: Yazid Mansouri (Lorient [France]), Ryad Boudebouz (Sochaux [France]), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander [Spain]), Karim Matmour (Borussia Moenchengladbach [Germany]), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg [Germany]), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton [England]), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth [England]), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes [France]), Djamal Abdoun (Nantes [France])
FW: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena [Italy]), Rafik Saifi (Istres [France]), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens [Greece])
Slovenia
Overview
Again, I don't know much about Slovenia but the fact that they knocked out Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia to make it to the World Cup show that they're a resilient team, not easily put down.
Full squad list
GK: Samir Handanovic (Udinese [Italy]), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova [Italy]), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam [Netherlands])
DEF: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne [Germany]), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Marko Suler (Gent [Belgium]), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble [France]), Branko Ilic (FC Moscow [Russia]), Bojan Jokic (Chievo [Italy]), Suad Filekovic (Maribor), Matej Mavric (TuS Koblenz [Germany])
MID: Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion [England]), Valter Birsa (Auxerre [France]), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan [Italy]), Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow [Poland]), Aleksandar Radosavljevic (Larissa [Greece]), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv [Israel]), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem [Netherlands])
FW: Nejc Pecnic (Naciona Madeira [Portugal]), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent [Belgium]), Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne [Germany]), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum [Germany]), Tim Matavz (Groningen [Netherlands])
Keep an eye on: Samir Handanovic
Udinese's goalkeeper is the foundation of this defensive side. If he falters, so does the rest of the team.
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