Posted January 14, 200817 yr England fixtures revealed Sky Sports News England will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on 6th September. Fabio Capello has discovered that his first competitive game as England boss will be away against the tiny European nation, followed by a trip to Croatia four days later. Croatia defeated England in their final Euro 2008 qualifier to dash their hopes of making it to Austria and Switzerland and spell the end of Steve McClaren's reign, and the match will be Capello's first major test. England's first home game will be against Kazakhstan in October, before they travel to Belarus for their last qualifier of 2008. Ukraine visit Wembley on 1st April 2009 and England then face Kazakhstan away and Andorra at home in the summer. Two potentially crucial games follow in autumn 2009, as England play Croatia at home and then Ukraine away. England finish their campaign at home to Belarus on 14th October next year. They have to finish top of their group to guarantee a place in the World Cup in South Africa. "We are reasonably pleased with how it worked out," said FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, who accompanied Capello into the meeting in Zagreb, which lasted eight hours. "He wanted Croatia twice in September - he was really relaxed about whether we were home or away. "It has worked out quite nicely that we have a free Saturday before the home game. He also wanted to start with Andorra. "The two summer games weren't quite as bad as normal. It is unfortunate we are not involved in the tournament coming up, so players will have a long rest this summer. He just felt it was an opportunity to get them away for a period of time. "We have to make sure we get an evening kick-off for the Kazakhstan game but if you are going to have to play two matches in June, they are the ones you would have chosen." England fixtures Andorra (a), Saturday September 6 2008 Croatia (a), Wednesday September 10 2008 Kazakhstan (h), Saturday October 11 2008 Belarus (a), Wednesday October 15 2008 Ukraine (h), Wednesday April 1 2009 Kazakhstan (a), Saturday June 6 2009 Andorra (h), Wednesday June 10 2009 Croatia (h), Wednesday September 9 2009 Ukraine (a), Saturday October 10 2009 Belarus (h), Wednesday October 14 2009 Do you think they area good set of fixtures for Capello's England or not?
January 14, 200817 yr The game away to Ukraine on the 10th will be tough. Is a bad time for the game too! I think overall it's a decent set out fixtures, 2 away games first will be difficult to Capello's regime.
January 14, 200817 yr Hmm well from the first five games I expect four wins and a defeat to Croatia; second half will be harder with Kazakhstan and Ukraine away from home.
January 14, 200817 yr The game away to Ukraine on the 10th will be tough. Is a bad time for the game too! Maybe I'm being optomistic but I reckon we could be as good as through then, only needing to beat Belarus at home...
January 15, 200817 yr Maybe I'm being optomistic but I reckon we could be as good as through then, only needing to beat Belarus at home... I think you're right too. To be honest, the draw favours us quite well and Capello's said he wanted both the Croatia games in September. It'll be a difficult group, but we've no excuses at all for not winning the group.
Create an account or sign in to comment