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Form, fitness concerns hit England's Cup buildup

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-09 09:47

England's coach Fabio Capello reacts during a World Cup soccer training session at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus near Rustenburg, June 8, 2010. [Agencies]

The Americans' 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1950, still ranks as one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament.

But it remains the only time England have lost to their transatlantic allies and, despite the USs beating Spain on their way to the Confederations Cup final last year, they would happily settle for a point from the group opener.

Capello's England comfortably outclassed Bill Bradley's side in a 2-0 friendly defeat in May 2008 but were given far more problems by Slovenia in a 2-1 win in another Wembley friendly later that year.

Algeria represent more of an unknown quantity but should hold no fears for a squad that, under Capello, has regained the confidence that had drained as a result of its failure to reach Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.

Friendly defeats by Brazil, France and Spain suggest Capello's squad remaind a little behind the world's best but it has become efficient at disposing of second-tier nations.

A qualifying group that included Croatia was navigated with ease, England winning nine of their 10 matches and scoring 34 goals in the process.

Agence France-Presse