England vs Ukraine Match Preview

April 1, 2009

New Wembley, new world-class manager, new coaching staff and now a new kit; the stage seems set for England to cruise through the 2010 World Cup qualifying stages. However spectacularly we have failed to qualify for a World championship or European tournament in the past, there is a really positive mentality about the England camp.

Next, it’s Ukraine. The endeavours of our squad in recent matches; notably against Croatia, Andorra and Slovakia, have captured the nation’s imagination and have got us dreaming about lifting that famous trophy again in 2010. So captivating is the persistence of Wayne Rooney, the passion of David Beckham and the pace of Theo Walcott that it has caused the supporters to rally behind the Lions in anticipation of the nitty-gritty stages of World Cup qualifying- and the press are not exempt from deserved plaudits.

Our squad is beginning to look stronger, fitter and more consistent. Capello’s wisdom that has won him so many major domestic trophies in the past has been injected into our now younger squad. The world is our oyster, it seems.

However, tomorrow’s opponents are of a much more intimidating calibre than Andorra and Slovakia. Ukraine have played three games and won two so far in the qualifying campaign. They are third in our group, level on points with Croatia, and play with an aggressive style characterized by the mentality of Coach Alexei Mikhailichenko. Like his name, Ukraine could prove a handful at Wembley on April 1st. Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko is undoubtedly ‘The Yellow-Blues’ most important asset, but he has never excelled on an English football pitch- having been dropped by former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as a response to his dreadful form in that dark blue jersey. A hasty retreat back to the Rossoneri faithful followed and Italian football is proving an ideal stage for him to flirt with legendary status.

Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch has recovered from the ‘Slovakian Curse’ in time for tomorrow, having recovered from a cramp. He is being replaced on Capello’s casualities list by Darren Bent, who has just picked up an injury in training.

Jack Ling.

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