England 2015 world cup squad

Despite all the pre-match talk Germany have now been beaten twice in World Cup qualifiers, and England can proudly claim to have inflicted their heaviest defeat. With the first hat-trick for England for two years Michael Owen almost did it on his own. When Portugal won in Stuttgart in 1985 there was only one goal in the game and Germany had already qualified. This victory, which had the added satisfaction of putting England ahead on overall goal difference and leaving the Germans looking at the play-off with Belarus or Ukraine, was as fully deserved as its margin was unexpected. … [Read more...] about Owen puts England in World Cup dreamland

10. Hiring a psychologist is no magic bullet England’s 72-man entourage left for Brazil with a chef, a grass specialist and an in-house psychiatrist, and lasted five days. Brazil, meanwhile, called in a psychologist for an “urgent session” before their game against Colombia to calm players criticised by Carlos Alberto for being in tears too often, and it worked. Then they played Germany. The tournament overall did little to encourage big spending on staff, with the top three highest-paid coaches - Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson and Cesare Prandelli – all failing to reach the knockout stage. The lowest-paid, Miguel “The Louse” Herrera, on a reported £125,000, took Mexico through and says he’ll be back in 2018. “For me, there’s nothing better.” … [Read more...] about World Cup 2014: 11 things the tournament taught us

"I have been told I will be free to leave Russia on that date as planned. I spent one hour and 40 minutes in police custody, from the moment I was detained near the Kremlin to the moment of my release from police. … [Read more...] about Peter Tatchell arrested by Russian police in Moscow ahead of World Cup opening ceremony

'People like that should not do that,' business owner Robert Maestro told KTLA. He said the attack was uncalled for and could have messed 'it up for the other people who just want to have fun'.   … [Read more...] about Mexico fan is arrested for launching a FIREWORK at line of police officers while celebrating his nation’s World Cup win against champions Germany

Germany may still have done so but for an excellent save from David Seaman to keep out Jörg Böhme’s low drive as the game entered stoppage time. Moments later England won a free-kick near the right-hand corner flag, from which Beckham’s cross was headed back into the path of Steven Gerrard, who with the last kick of the half slammed a low shot into the corner of the net from 25 yards. “I remember us getting a set piece, it was cleared, got put back in and was cleared out,” Gerrard said. “I remember thinking to myself: ‘Just get a good touch on it, try and set it for a strike on goal.’ My touch was perfect for once and I got fantastic contact – the pitch was wet and I put enough power on it to slide past a top keeper in Oliver Kahn.” … [Read more...] about Germany 1-5 England: 15 years on World Cup qualifier is still music to ears of many