England - Journey to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

[treva]

The low of being knocked out of the 2008 European Championships

English football has reached an all-time low after being knocked out of the 2008 European Championships. It's now time to rebuild with the 2010 World Championship Qualification groups being drawn. England now have a new face at the helm, although an old face in English football. Harry Redknapp is the man to take over one of the most difficult jobs in international football. With all of England's expectations of making the World Cup finals in 2010, Redknapp will have his work cut out to turn the national team around. Redknapp was a surprise choice to many, beating big names such as Fabio Capello and Gus Hiddink to the job. With England slipping down the FIFA World Rankings, they have more of an up-hill task in reaching the World Cup Finals in South Africa. Redknapp's men will have to face Croatia, the side who cost England a place at the European Championships and Steve McLaren his job. Redknapp will have to take his men to Croatia, in the first qualifying match, where the English players will want revenge. England also face a tough Ukraine side, who after reaching 11th in the FIFA World Rankings in February 2007, have slipped down as low as 29th. With Croatia and Ukraine the sides set to trouble England - Belarus, Andorra and Kazakhstan have been left to make up the numbers. England need to qualify to restore hope back to the English fans, but can they make it against the team that destroyed the hopes in 2007? Is Harry Redknapp the man to take England back to the top of international football? So many questions to be answered as England start their journey to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!​

Group 6:
Croatia
England
Ukraine
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Andorra

England's Fixtures:
vs Norway @ Wembley - Friendly
vs Belgium @ Brussels - Friendly
vs Croatia @ Zagreb - 2010 Qualifier
vs Andorra @ Wembley - 2010 Qualifier
vs Belarus @ Wembley - 2010 Qualifier
vs Kazakhstan @ Almaty - 2010 Qualifier
vs Ukraine @ Kiev - 2010 Qualifier
vs Ukraine @ Wembley - 2010 Qualifier
vs Croatia @ Wembley - 2010 Qualifier
vs Portugal @ Wembley - Friendly
vs Andorra @ Andorra la Vella - 2010 Qualifier
vs Belarus @ Minsk - 2010 Qualifier
vs Kazakhstan @ Wembley - 2010 Qualifier

Can Harry Redknapp lead England to the 2010 World Cup?​

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Unfortunately as I am doing this on PES5 there won't be many screens, just because the players on the game will be named different to the squads I say are playing. Also the other game results will be intirely made up

 

[treva]

England vs Norway @ Wembley Stadium

Harry Redknapp will take charge of his first game as England manager, taking on Norway at Wembley Stadium. With both teams not qualifiying for the European Championships the friendly game was set up to give the sides some match practice ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Both sides have announced their teams for the match. Harry Redknapp has made a few different decisions compared to Steve McClaren's. A big inclusion is that of Portsmouth's goalkeeper, David James. David James played under Portsmouth for a few years before Redknapp left for England. After Scott Carson and Paul Robinson making big game errors, many thought it was only time that the experienced hand of David James was called upon. Another move made by Redknapp was to leave Frank Lampard on the bench with Owen Hargreaves starting alongside Steven Gerrard at the central midfielder position. David Beckham is set to win his 100th cap as he is preffered at right midfield over Shaun Wright-Phillips. Rooney and Owen have been selected as the two strikers. Wayne Bridge gets the left back position with Ashley Cole injured and out of form. Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa could be set for his first international cap.

England Squad:

David James (GK), Micah Richards (RB), Wayne Bridge (LB), John Terry (CB), Rio Ferdinand (CB), David Beckham (RM), Joe Cole (LM), Steven Gerrard (CM), Owen Hargreaves (CM), Wayne Rooney (FC), Michael Owen (FC).

Subs: Robert Green (GK), Ledley King (CB), Frank Lampard (CM), Jermaine Defoe (FC), Andrew Johnson (FC), Sol Campbell (CB), David Bentley (CM), Shaun Wright-Phillips (RM), Gabriel Agbonlahor (FC)

Norway Squad:

Thomas Myhre (GK), Erik Hagen (RB) , John Arne Riise (LB), Brede Hangeland (CB), Bjorn Helge Riise (RM), Per Ciljan Skjelbred (CM), Vidar Riseth (CM), Jarl Andre Storbaek (LM), John Carew (FC), Steffen Iversen (FC), Morten Gamst Pedersen (FC)

Subs: Rune Almenning Jarstein (GK), Jon Inge Hoiland (CB), Kristofer Haestad (MF), Jan Gunnar Solli (MF), Alexander Tettey (MF), Thorstein Helstad (FC), Sigurd Rushfeldt (FC)

David James given goalkeeping role by new boss Harry Redknapp​

 

[mattfb]

This looks like a good story, good luck with this!

 

[w3lshrugby]

Is this a story completely out of your own grey matter Trev?

 

[Pakistani Army]

Good luck with this story Treva. Hopefully you can lead English Football to success.

 

[Left_Hander]

Good luck but not to much!

 

[treva]

Three Norwegians' destroy Three Lions

England were beaten heavily last night at Wembley by Scandinavian team, Norway. Although the 3-0 scoreline didn't represent the actual performance of both sides, it again showed why England didn't make the European Championships. England had possesion most of the game and had a few great chances of their own. But by taking the vital opportunities Norway were able to win the game. Riseth, Carew and Haestad all slotted home their chances to grab the win. Harry Redknapp said that he was happy with the overall performance, but obviously was very down heartend at the final score.

England's task was made very hard from early on. Just 20 minutes into the game and they were 2-nil down. Vidar Riseth scored the first goal, knocking home from close. It all started with a Norway corner. John Carew got his head on it and James made a glorious one handed save. The ball went straight up in the air and landed on the bar. The ball came out and Riseth was first to react, knocking it past James who felt that Riseth fouled him. Carew became goalscorer and Riseth provider for the Norway 2nd. Again another corner and another diving header set up the goal. Riseth's header crashed off the bar and Carew was there to slide it home from 6 yards out. England then had a strong period of possesion, but were unable to get a final product of their attacks. Rooney had a number of good chances but was either just wide or stopped by Myhre in goal. But England's best chance fell to Owen, with Beckham the provider. Beckham swung in a precise cross with Owen awaiting at the abck post. Owen got his head on it and looked to have beaten Myhre, but the ball hit the post and the danger was cleared.

Redknapp brought on fresh legs including Bentley,and gave Gabriel Agbonlahor his first international cap. Only a few chances were had in the 2nd half, with Rooney again just off the mark. With 11 minutes of normal time left, Norway hit the killer blow. Carew slid in a through ball to Kristofer Haestad who camly slide it underneath James in the England goal. It was a tough defeat for England, who are still looking for their first win since their crucial loss against Russia on the plastic surface of Moscow.

Harry Redknapp - "Well I learned a lot of things about the team, and to be honest it was a good performance. The final scoreline is down heartening, but we can bounce back in our next friendly with Belgium. I was very pleased with Wayne and Beckham in particular, but there was no player who performed badly. I look forward to training with these guys before our next match."

John Carew wins MotM in their 3-0 victory over England

England 0-3 Norway
Riseth 15', Carew 20', Haestad 79'​

 

[w3lshrugby]

What is going to happen about the England manager now? After his arrest

 

[H0wZ4T!]

Jose Mourinho!

 

[treva]

Rooney: "We will beat Croatia"

Today Wayne Rooney told press that he thinks England will beat Croatia in their first World Cup Qualifier in Zagreb. Rooney confidently spoke to the media as he left an England training session. "We have the players, the manager, the fans and passion to make the World Cup. And to do this we will have to turn things around after our defeat against Norway. But we will definitely bounce back. Harry is giving us a tough time in training to make sure that we will improve. Our game vs Croatia in Zagreb will be a cracker. But I'm confident we will win."

Rooney put on a good show in the friendly vs Norway before being substituted in the 2nd half. England face Belgium next at Wembley Stadium, and Harry Redknapp will want his side to put things right. Fans will expect a win ahead of the Group 4 qualifying match against Croatia...

​

 

[usy]

Good story, atleast i was reading the whole thing, then posted . For long i have not seen such a good one, makes me start me own now. thanks bro.

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Btw, what game is this on?

 

[treva]

Pro Evo 5. Thanks Usy for the wonderful comments. Pre-Match stuff up soon...

 

[Monty57]

A crimnal as england manager. I like it!

 

[treva]

Belgium vs England @ Brussels

Harry Redknapp has made just the two changes for the 2nd of the two friendlies, this one against Belgium. Owen Hargreaves has been replaced by Frank Lampard after Hargreaves started against Norway. The other change is of Joe Cole, who sub-stained an injury to his foot in training. He is replaced by Gareth Barry on the left. That means Hargreaves drops to the bench and Joleon Lescott joins the team. Ashley Young also comes in for his fellow team mate at Aston Villa, Gabriel Agbonlahor. Agbonlahor has been ruled out due to a back strain and therefore Young is on the bench. If Young gets on it will be his 1st international cap at the age of 23. Redknapp is certainly looking to the future to put England back on top of Europe. Belgium did poorly in their Euro Championship Qualifying group, and will want to continue England's poor form at home in this friendly.

Belgium Squad:

Brian Vandenbussche (GK), Daniel Van Buyten (RB), Jelle Van Damme (CB), Marouane Fellaini (CB), Karel Geraerts (LB), Guillaume Gillet (RM), Christophe Gregoire (CM), Gill Swerts (CM), Jan Vertonghen (LM), Moussa Dembele (ST), Luigi Pieroni (ST)

Subs: Stijn Stijnen (GK), Mark De Man (D), Steven Defour (MF), Bart Goor (MF), Faris Haroun (MF), Kilian Overmeire (MF), Kevin Mirallas (ST)

England Squad

David James (GK), Micah Richards (RB), Wayne Bridge (LB), John Terry (CB), Rio Ferdinand (CB), David Beckham (RM), Gareth Barry (LM), Steven Gerrard (CM), Frank Lampard (CM), Wayne Rooney (ST), Michael Owen (ST).

Subs: Robert Green (GK), Ledley King (CB), Owen Hargreaves (CM), Jermaine Defoe (ST), Andrew Johnson (ST), Sol Campbell (CB), David Bentley (CM), Shaun Wright-Phillips (RM), Ashley Young (LM), Joleon Lescott (CB)

Ashley Young will gain his 1st international cap if brought on against Belgium​