Whilst England have already qualified for the World Cup (and won it if much of the subsequent press is to be believed), many of football’s leading nations still have it all to do. The Football Blog takes a look at some of the sides for whom this round of international fixtures will decide whether or not they are going to South Africa next summer.
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Despite having scored seven goals in eight Premiership matches, which makes him the league’s top scoring Englishman, and having had the benefit of Fabio Capello’s being at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch him score a superb goal against the champions, Darren Bent has again been ommitted from the England squad. What does he have to do to get in it?
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It may have been two years ago, but the legacy of that night at Wembley when England were defeated 3-2 by tonight’s opponents Croatia lived on long into 2008. Although there was no one to blame but their own team, English fans still felt rightly aggrieved by their qualification exit. Not since 1994 had England failed to qualify for a major championship.
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One of the most interesting questions raised by Fabio Capello’s latest squad is who will be wearing the number one jersey when (or should I say if) England head to South Africa next summer. David James’s injury has left the door open for others to stake a claim, although many remain less than convinced by any of the options available. We take a look at the contenders.
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As if the prospect of a totally one-sided affair wasn’t enough to keep fans away from England’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra tomorrow night at Wembley, it looks like they will be kept away by a tube strike and lack of alternative methods to travel to the stadium.
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