The Official *England's Journey to Brazil 2014* Thread

[Duty281]

"There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is England."
Sir Winston Churchill

Yes, it's nearly that time. Time for England to begin their Qualifying Campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Those promising, encouraging, and brave displays witnessed during Euro 2012 will have to be built on as the long road to Brazil starts. Along the way, they will play in London, Podgorica, Kiev, Warsaw, Chisinau and Serravale. The aim is simply to top the group and make it to Brazil with a minimum of fuss.

"Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen."
Cecil John Rhodes

England have been drawn in Group H with Montengro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino. I don't even need to be insanely optimistic this time round. England will top that group. Moldova and San Marino will be the whipping boys. Montengro, Ukraine and Poland will only prove a challenge in their own ground. Wembley will be deemed a fortress.

"Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first place in the lottery of life."
Cecil John Rhodes

The fixture list for those Qualifiers is the following:

Moldova v England (7th September 2012)
England v Ukraine (11th September 2012)
England v San Marino (12th October 2012)
Poland v England (16th October 2012)
San Marino v England (22nd March 2013)
Montenegro v England (26th March 2013)
England v Moldova (6th September 2013)
Ukraine v England (10th September 2013)
England v Montenegro (11th October 2013)
England v Poland (15th October 2013)

Lovely, simple, finishing with a Wembley double-header. I predict we'll get 28 out of 30 points, perhaps getting a draw in either Warsaw or Kiev.

"Follow your spirit; and upon this charge,
Cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George"."
William Shakespeare

Of course, while England's fate will be defined by those 10 games, the ever important International Friendly will hone the team against more quality opposition. The friendlies currently scheduled are:

Italy v England (15th August 2012)
Sweden v England (14th November 2012)
England v Scotland (14th August 2013)

So let's get the England train rolling, starting on Wednesday, build up momentum before landing in Brazil in nearly 2 years time. Come on England!

“The English are so filled with their own greatness and have won so many big victories that they have come to believe they cannot lose. In battle they are the most confident nation in the world."
Unknown

[MBTGOG]

Cecil J Rhodes seems somewhat deluded but sure.

On a more serious note, I do think there is some real potential coming through with England at the moment. If that is realised is another debate altogether but just looking at the players making their way up, I'd be excited to be an England man at the moment.

[Duty281]

England's warm up before the Qualifiers started went well, a 2-1 win over Italy, a come-from-behind win with goals from the Jag and a peach by Defoe. Roll on Moldova!

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19479616

Sir Bobby Charlton has already written off England's World Cup hopes. Steady on Sir, we haven't even started qualifying yet! It's amazing how much his opinion has changed in a few months, he backed us to in Euro 2012!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18568571

Anyway predictions for the double-header to start the journey to Brazil:

Moldova 0-4 England
England 2-0 Ukraine

[liverbnz]

How to insult a large amount of people in one sentence.

“A World Cup in Brazil has a slightly greater allure than a World Cup in some of the other countries where it’s been held recently."

Roy Hodgson. Goat.

[Crimey]

It's true though...Brazil is essentially the football-country, they're crazy about it there.

It also hasn't been held there for many, many years despite it being a major footballing nation.

[liverbnz]

I never said it wasn't true but there are different ways of saying things without insulting several nations. In fact, he could have said exactly what you said Crimey.

[Crimey]

I see what you mean, he could have left off the second half and just said:

"A World Cup in Brazil has a great allure"

[Duty281]

So the journey begins with a 5-0 pasting of Moldova. Lampard x2, Defoe, Milner and Baines with the goals. Roll on Ukraine!

[Duty281]

So after the 1-1 draw with Ukraine, where England courageously battled the Ukraine and the referee, and Roy Hodgson being knighted by Finland, it's time to look ahead to the double header at Home to San Marino and Away to Poland. Predictions:

England 6-0 San Marino
Poland 0-2 England

[Duty281]

Yesterday was the official opening of St. George's Park by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I have to say it looks stunning and we'll hopefully reap the benefits in the future - it's worth noting that the opening of Clairefontaine brought results for the French 10 years after it opened and Ciydad del futbol brought results for the Spain 5 years after it opened so here's hoping for a bright, positive future for the English team.

[Duty281]

One thing I'm confused about is that tickets for England-San Marino are sold out. Wembley saw 68,000 to watch England play Ukraine and yet 90,000 will watch England play a bunch of minnows?

[Crimey]

One thing I'm confused about is that tickets for England-San Marino are sold out. Wembley saw 68,000 to watch England play Ukraine and yet 90,000 will watch England play a bunch of minnows?

Yeah, almost guaranteed to see a lot of goals. Should see England play well rather than a cagey game. The Ukraine game was on a Tuesday while the San Marino game is on a Saturday.

[Duty281]

So after the 5-0 demolition of San Marino and Moldova holding Ukraine to a draw, the table looks like this:

England - 7 (played 3)
Montenegro - 4 (played 2)
Poland - 4 (played 2)
Ukraine - 2 (played 2)
Moldova - 1 (played 3)
San Marino - 0 (played 2)

Victory away to Poland on Tuesday and I'd venture that England would have 1 foot in Brazil with a guaranteed 6 points left to take off the Minnows and Home games against Poland and Montenegro to come. Looking very sweet at the minute.

[Duty281]

1-1 against Poland means that England are 2 points light of where we'd like to be, but we're still top of the group with 6 games to go.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20532014

Roy Hodgson believes that despite everything, England have a good chance at Brazil 2014. I only wish some of the fans were less pessimistic.

[Duty281]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20824602

Roy Hodgson has reiterated his belief that England can win in 2014.

[Duty281]

So before the vital qualifiers next month, England beat Brazil 2-1 in a friendly, a fluid 4-3-3 formation and a very impressive Jack Wilshere the key to victory. We must build our midfield around that man! Overall, that was England's best performance so far under Roy Hodgson, if they can win again on June 2 in 40 degree heat against a up-for-it Brazil side, we'll know we have a great team in the making.

[Duty281]

So a 0-8 win in San Marino, before a 1-1 draw with Montenegro. Still 2 points off top spot, but 3 of the last 4 games at home mean that surely England will still manage to top the group. That hasn't stopped the British press lamenting England's 'failings' and that apparently we're destined for the play-offs. After the disgusting antics of the Montenegrin fans again, it's also England's duty to stop that band of savages going to Brazil.

No more qualifiers till next season, but there are friendlies against Ireland, Brazil and Scotland to plug the gap until then.

[dyrewolfe]

I have a feeling our stay could be a short one. After all England tend to struggle:

- in hot weather (just look at South Africa)
- against more skilful sides
- against hard working teams
- to maintain performance for a full 90 minutes

Lets face it, if Montenegro can throw us into disarray, simply by upping the tempo and deciding to have a go, we have zero chance against the major European teams or the hosts.

Its still odds-on that we'll qualify, of course, with 3 home games out of the remaining 4 to come, but England haven't managed to field a team that looked comfortable on foreign soil, against top opposition in over a decade now (last time being the celebrated 5-1 win over Germany in 2001). Given what Hodgson has to work with, I don't see that changing.

[Riggs]

I wish England all the best but will not get my hopes up. I've seen it too many times, England do well, sometimes well-ish, get through then fail at the semis/quarters. Had enough heart-ache over the years and will not go there again.

If there's to be any realistic hope then SGP is the place to start otherwise forget it.

Best of luck but no crossing fingers.

[Duty281]

Might be worth pointing out, Steven Gerrard is out of the 2 summer friendlies with a shoulder operation pencilled in. Still, 13 months and 4 days till the beginning of the 2014 World Cup....14 months and 5 days till the dream?

[kingraf]

Drye - The sad thing is the world cup in South Africa took place slap bang in the middle of winter. If that was too hot for the English, might as well give Brazil a miss. Russiaa 2018 might be a reality, mind you.

[Duty281]

Roy Hodgson names his squad for the Ireland and Brazil friendlies on Thursday, rumours circulating that Ferdinand or Terry might be brought back.

[Crimey]

Squad for the Friendlies:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Alex McCarthy.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott.

Forwards: Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck

Main news being the first call up for Alex McCarthy and Andy Carroll being recalled after a long time out of the international squad.

That midfield looks horribly weak, I assume Jones will start in midfield.

I think a team something like:

Hart

Johnson
Jagielka
Cahill
Cole/Baines

Jones
Carrick

Walcott
Rooney
Milner

Welbeck

Will be used.

I'd rather see:

Hart

Johnson
Jagielka
Lescott
Baines

Jones
Milner
Lampard

Walcott
Rooney
Sturridge

[Duty281]

Rooney or Lampard as captain apparently - hopefully Lampard. I think England's best XI out of that squad is:

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole, Carrick, Lampard, Jones, Walcott, Defoe, and Rooney.

[Crimey]

Defoe has been pretty poor lately, as much as I don't really rate him, Sturridge would definitely deserve a start over him and Welbeck. I can't see that happening though.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If Welbeck gets anywhere near the starting XI I am not watching the game.

How on earth he's in the squad I do not know

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well done on McCarthy on the call up, fully deserved!

Hopefully Ruddy will push his way back into the setup next season, some Norwich fans were actually moaning that he wasn't in the squad.

He's played one competitive game in 2013 due to injury

[NickisBHAFC]

Out of that team i would go for

GK Hart
RB Johnson
LB Cole (C)
CB Lescott
CB Jones
RCM Carrick
CM Lampard
LCM Cleverley
ARM Walcott
ST Rooney
ALM Oxlade-Chamberlain,

[Guest]

Just some random International forum talk but why does Spain not build a National stadium for Football. I mean there World Cup & European Champions.....strange one. Financial reasons probably. Also have a look at this Belgium team.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -LUKAKU- - - -BENTEKE - - - - -- - - - -

- -HAZARD - - - - -FELLAINI - - - - - -DEMBELE - - - -MIRALLES - -


ALDERWEIRELD - -KOMPANY - -VERTONGHAN - - - VERMAELEN

- - --- - - - - - - - - - -COURTOIS/MIGNOLET - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ridiculous squad isn't it. I they could just get a top manager, I would love to see what this squad could achieve over the next two major tournaments.

Other players of note - DEFOUR, WITSEL, MERTENS, DE BRUYN, CHADLI. This is a far superior squad to England in every way.

[Duty281]

Andy Carroll is out of the friendlies with an injury, the exodus begins!

[Duty281]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/no-surrender-ira-chant-no-1903524

A horribly left wing article.

[Crimey]

No it's totally right. Football doesn't need to be associated with anything like the EDL or far right nutters. Chants like that ruin the reputation of football fans and will only stoke the fires.

[Duty281]

1-1 against Ireland, and then an impressive 2-2 against Brazil in the Maracana. Well done England, certainly not easy with injuries and it being the end of the season.

[Duty281]

Speaking of journey, Japan have just qualified for next year's World cup. They're the first team to join Brazil.

[Duty281]

Montenegro playing Ukraine tonight - Come on Ukraine!

[Duty281]

Montenegro 0-0 Ukraine at HT. Only the woodwork and the Montenegrin keeper have kept the score at 0-0. Moldova 1-1 Poland at HT as well, be a good result that for England in the extremely unlikely event that Moldova hold on.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ukraine down to 10 men...

[Duty281]

The draw might be England's best result here what with their superior GD.

[Crimey]

Ukraine are winning 1-0.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ukraine are now 2-0 up!!!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

3-0!!

[Crimey]

And Moldova and Poland drew 1-1.

That's two very good results from an England perspective .

[Duty281]

Tremendous night for England. 3 home wins and an away draw in Kiev will see them in Brazil after Montenegro imploded.

[NickisBHAFC]

YES UKRAINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Duty281]

0-4 Ukraine.

[Guest]

Not sure how its a good night for england. Ukraine are the big threats now and we've got to go there and win. Also like it how we are suddenly guaranteed 3 home wins.

0-4 Ukraine basically showing Roy how it should be done. Be positive and attack the opposition but old roys negative tactics will be kept. Ukraine should get 9 points minimum from there games, seeing as they play san marino twice and poland who are finished at home. The big game in Ukraine against england decides, montenegro are poor and will collapse now. Still cant get over how we've not beaten them in like three games or whatever it is, embarrasing.

[Duty281]

Moldova is a banker 3 points. England are simply better than Poland so 3 more points. Montenegro will play right into England's hands at Wembley, they have to, so another 3 points for England. A draw would then be enough in Kiev, although we beat Ukraine in Ukraine a year ago so a win there is definitely possible. England will be fine.

[Duty281]

Already a year to the day of Roy's first competitive match:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18076341

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