At the end of the Second World War, England emerged as a football power, but it was not powerful enough to pip Uruguay or Italy to the trophy.

Ever since, England has made it to 12 of the 15 World Cups. Besides the 1966 victory, they have made it past the quarter-finals once, and only in 1990.

Their Qualification
 Fabio Capello, a tactical and disciplinary Don presiding over his adopted Lions, has brought about steeliness in this England side resulting into a seamless qualification.

There were to be no upsets, as Capello oversaw an unprecedented winning streak throughout qualification, losing only the penultimate game.

Their Strengths to victory
Tactics: England has no outstanding players, but has leaders in a few areas and an impressive tactical approach built around these key players.

This is not a team that will get caught on the counter-attack very often, or fail to make their pressure pay when they are on the front foot. They get the best out of their best, which is why they are always a threat.

Star players,

John Terry
Many have said that Rio Ferdinand is a better defender than his England team-mate, but in recent months, due to his injuries and Terry's continued strength; he is leading the way at the back for the Three Lions.
 
Steven Gerrard:
So many question marks were raised when Fabio Capello chose to give Gerrard a starting position on the left of midfield, but this free role has come to suit the Liverpool icon as much as any other.

Wayne Rooney:
Even Sven-Goran Eriksson loved Rooney enough to call him the golden boy. Capello, too, has built his team around Rooney being at his best, which has been the case in a significant majority of England's recent internationals.

The Coach    
Fabio Capello will be remembered as one of the greatest coaches of all time. His record is practically second to none. Every project he has taken on has resulted in major silverware.

He oversaw the Invincibles at Milan, twice brought Real Madrid La Liga, turned Roma into champions and oversaw an incredible Juventus side as well. This is his first stint with a national team and widely thought to be the last job he will take before retirement.

His strength has always been leagues rather than cups. Despite him not being an Englishman, he will covet this victory in South Africa as much as all of his players.

Their Weaknesses
Worryingly, England has minor weaknesses in every area. England's struggle to create and control - either on the front foot or the back - against the best sides- has been singled out as their greatest undoing.

France, Spain and Brazil in particular all stifled Capello's England, and though there were some shaky moments at the back, coupled with question marks over the No. 9 and the goalkeeper, the only consistently disappointing and costly element of England's team so far has been the failure to produce moments of magic when they are needed, or at very least control the opposition.

The injuries to the coach's key players might be another threat to his mission. Players like John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry, Rio Ferdinand, and Owen Hagreves, who are considered dependable on the best eleven are not fully fit for the tournament. blog comments powered by Disqus