Don't call me CRAZY! But England can win the World Cup!
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WORLD CUP 2010: England CAN win it in South Africa, says confident coach Fabio Capello ahead of Slovenia showdown
Fabio Capello defended his sanity as he claimed England can still emerge from their campaign in South Africa as world champions.
Capello's team must beat Slovenia on a suspect pitch in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon to be certain of reaching the World Cup's last 16.
The England manager said: 'I was not crazy when I said my target was the final of the World Cup, I showed this is a really good squad. If - no, not if, when we win the game, then all the teams have to fight against us.'
We can do it: Fabio Capello leads the rallying cry to his England troops, insisting they can win the World Cup
In his hour of need he will turn to Jermain Defoe. The Tottenham striker is poised to replace Emile Heskey as partner to Wayne Rooney in attack as Capello rings the changes in a bid to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
ENGLAND v SLOVENIA LIVE
Follow all the action as it happens in Port Elizabeth with Sportsmail Online as Fabio Capello's men look to secure their place in the last 16, live at 3pm.
James Milner is the favourite to come in for Aaron Lennon on the right, having trained in that role on Tuesday, and Joe Cole, the man the senior players want, is also understood to be under consideration.
Matthew Upson steps in for the suspended Jamie Carragher. In the aftermath of Friday's flop against Algeria, John Terry tried to lead the players in opposition to the manager, resulting in the boss's backlash and Terry's subsequent apology in Sportsmail.
Jer-main man: Defoe looks set to start alongside Wayne Rooney in England's attack
The unrest fuelled suggestions that Capello might quit if England crashed out at this stage for the first time in more than half a century but, when asked if he would be in a job after this game, the Italian simply said: 'Thank you for the question' and left.
England beat Slovenia 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley last year but while Capello's team have dipped in form, their opponents have flourished.
Stand and deliver: West Ham captain Matthew Upson is ready to impress alongside John Terry in defence
Capello, who criticised his players for freezing with fear in the goalless draw with Algeria, added: 'This is a play-off, like a final in the Champions League, a semi-final in the Champions League. That's the spirit we must have. We are in or out. We have to win. We have not had good results but as you know my target was to get to the final.'
The teams were prevented from training on the Port Elizabeth pitch on Tuesday night because of FIFA concerns about the surface.
'It's not so good but that's not an excuse,' added Capello.
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I wish I'm as hopeful as you.
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u are not crazy.. u are just mad mad mad...
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i think he muz be dreaming of tis lar
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Get pass the group stage then say lah. in danger of going home with france liao.
Italy is another one that is going home.
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pass liao!
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That time they also qualified for quarter final then kicked out.
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the players themselves don't even belive they can win WC !
the last squad that had that belief was in 1990 which was also their best ever chance.
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beating slovenia is hardly an achievement.
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finally they found life in soccer. This is the only match of England one can watch with a little excitement (the Solvenia side).
Wish them well against Germany
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abit suay for second round england meet germany... cfm some england players were like "sian..... out of all country we vs germany sia... knn"
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crazy.
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I would have to say germany will take this one.
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Originally posted by ditzy:
I would have to say germany will take this one.
wow.great foresight.
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Originally posted by Hello Kitty:
wow.great foresight.
But they won't beat Argentina.
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I think they will get KO by Germany.
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Why England so unlucky to kena Germany ? USA is lucky for this World Cup, they kena all the easy ones. USA sure win their opponent in the next match in quarter and easily gets in to semi.
Haiz, England!!!!
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Originally posted by Asromanista2001:
the players themselves don't even belive they can win WC !
the last squad that had that belief was in 1990 which was also their best ever chance.
First and last time they England won the world cup was 1964. -
Originally posted by ditzy:
But they won't beat Argentina.
dare bet wif me anot, u prick. -
Originally posted by Hello Kitty:
dare bet wif me anot, u prick.$200.
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If England is out after the germany match , i will be sad for them as usual.
sTill believe Argentina can win the Cup this year.
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Hasene
England won in 1966 ! the last time they had a chance to win was in 1990 !
England damn lucky in this world cup with 3 lousy teams in their group ! if they kana in Germany's group, they would lose 2 games at least !
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Originally posted by Asromanista2001:
Hasene
England won in 1966 ! the last time they had a chance to win was in 1990 !
England damn lucky in this world cup with 3 lousy teams in their group ! if they kana in Germany's group, they would lose 2 games at least !
oops, is in 1966, I got it wrong.They have been disappointing supporters in the World Cup. I predict they will lose to Germans.
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Originally posted by hasene:
Why England so unlucky to kena Germany ? USA is lucky for this World Cup, they kena all the easy ones. USA sure win their opponent in the next match in quarter and easily gets in to semi.
Haiz, England!!!!
If you say usa is lucky then isn't england lucky as well?? they're in the same grp...in fact usa is more unlucky to have a goal disallowed against slovenia...
england is not unlucky, they just didn't do well enough to get the points on board..