England face Algeria today with bigger issues at stake than whether they can beat the north Africans to regain control of World Cup Group C.
If Fabio Capello’s team have any ambitions of advancing beyond their usual quarter-final terminus, then beating Algeria, who lost 1-0 to Slovenia in their opener, must be a given.
England have never lost to African opposition, but their manager must still answer the many questions swirling around his team and find a way to get his forwards scoring goals.
PHOTO: AFP
With top spot in the group likely to be decided on goal difference, and the runners-up set to face Germany in the second round, England need a big win to put them back on course for an easier last 16 meeting with Ghana, Serbia or Australia.
Their opening 1-1 draw with a well-organized US team, particularly seen in the context of so many other major nations’ stuttering starts, was not a terrible result.
However, while Franz Beckenbauer’s claim that England have “gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush” seems harsh, their Italian manager does have to get his players back to the constructive approach that saw them cruise through qualifying.
Already missing injured captain Rio Ferdinand, England are now without his replacement Ledley King for today’s game — and possibly the tournament — with Jamie Carragher set to step in.
He came off the bench to replace King at halftime against the US and formed a vocal, tough-tackling but far-from-pacy center back partnership with former England captain John Terry.
Behind them Capello seems likely to keep faith with goalkeeper Robert Green, whose blunder handed Clint Dempsey the Americans’ equalizer — though David James could come in.
The manager will be delighted to be able to recall Gareth Barry, one of his favorites, to a holding role in midfield, pushing Steven Gerrard out to the left with license to attack.
Up front, for all Wayne Rooney’s undoubted talents, he has not scored an international goal since last September, while Emile Heskey’s return of seven in 59 games tells its own story.
Peter Crouch, who came on as a substitute against the US, said that Capello was emphasizing the positives.
“He told us he saw things in the first game that were encouraging and he has taken them and told us we should still believe in ourselves and what we are doing,” said the tall striker with an international return of 21 goals in 39 games.
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane is also set to stand behind his keeper Faouzi Chaouchi, after he allowed a speculative shot by Robert Koren to squeeze past him, giving Slovenia the points.
Having lost the match they targeted as their best chance for a win, Algeria are bracing themselves for a tough onslaught.
“It’s going to be a very, very difficult match for us, but we have nothing to lose,” Saadane said
Saadane is without Abdelkader Ghezzal, suspended for a red card after coming off the bench in the opener, but said he does not plan widespread changes, with midfielder Adlane Guedioura a possible starter to add dynamism.
■ROONEY MUZZLED
AP, RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
England striker Wayne Rooney was blocked from discussing his religious beliefs by a Football Association media officer at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Rooney had offered an insight into his Catholic faith by explaining why he wears a prominent cross and rosary beads around his neck when he’s not playing.
However, that prompted another question.
However, Mark Whittle, the FA’s head of media relations, interrupted Rooney in the off-camera briefing by saying: “We don’t do religion.”
Until then, Rooney had been happy to discuss the cross and beads, saying: “I’ve been wearing them for about four years now and you don’t usually watch training [to see them]. I obviously can’t wear them in games. It’s my religion.”
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