Evo Englezi opet računaju tko bi od stranaca imao mjesta kod njih.

Only Spain can stop England's 2010 quest
To return from Wembley late on Wednesday night, turn on the television and
find Argentina being mangled by Bolivia was to be reminded of just how close
England are to world supremacy.
That they have yet to qualify for the World Cup is academic - even during the
brief spell when Andriy Shevchenko's goal threatened to deprive them of
points, failure seemed unfeasible - and, as England learn, others lurch
towards the sort of crisis that prompted the FA to spend a fortune on Fabio
Capello.
Argentina would not stoop to that, even if they could afford it. Yet how
worried they must be. Although their latest native coach, Diego Maradona,
could hardly be more deeply loved, he cut something of a Steve McClaren
figure in La Paz, the cameras dwelling on his helplessly vexed expression as
his team lost 6-1; all he needed was a parasol to shade him from the glare.
The Bolivians, true, displayed a rare relish for work and had the advantage of
their capital's thin air, but you had to remind yourself that these diggers
with altitude were second bottom of the South American qualifying pile and
had been beaten at home by Chile. Only then did the magnitude of Argentina's
humiliation sink in.
Lionel Messi suffered like everyone else. He would run at the Bolivia defence
only to be dispossessed by a relative unknown and before long the shouts of olé
would arise from a pinch-yourself crowd. Argentina will not recover in 15
months, even if Maradona goes.
So that is one opponent fewer to fear. We saw in Seville in February that
England cannot yet match Spain's European champions, but scan the horizon
and little else demands more than respect. Even Brazil, though their
qualification campaign is back on an even keel.
How many Brazilians would make England's team? Júlio César in goal. The right
back, Maicon. Maybe Lúcio, who, at his best, practises central defending
like no other. Maybe the young holding player, Felipe Melo. Unquestionably
Kaká. Not a lot more. And, now England understand teamwork, there is no
reason to believe the magic of the yellow shirt could make up any shortfall
between the sides.
The convergence since the World Cup quarter-final of 2002 has been dramatic.
Then, Sven-Göran Eriksson's England took the lead (through Michael Owen,
after an error by Lúcio) and were to receive the further boost of
Ronaldinho's dismissal for a foul on Danny Mills, but found themselves being
both played and bullied into submission. It would be less likely now.
As for Germany, Capello's reserves have beaten them this season. Italy, though
they proved in 2006 that the blue shirt and Marcello Lippi's management can
be an irresistible combination, look over the hill, like some Serie A club
squads.
Holland are doing well and have younger forwards such as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
and Robin van Persie ready to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy, but lack the
defensive resources to stay in a tournament. If I had to choose a dark
horse, it would be Guus Hiddink's Russia, who are experienced but not too
old. They would, however, have to develop startlingly to merit short odds in
South Africa.
France? For all Franck Ribéry's qualities, would you swap Wayne Rooney for
him? And the lame-duck management of Raymond Domenech looks certain to
hamper them. Do not bet your house on their qualifying. The same goes for
Portugal under Carlos Queiroz.
In other words, just about every country that has confounded England over the
past quarter of a century looks less well equipped on the field and in the
dugout than Capello's England. Except, of course, Spain.
Try the combined-team test and you realise Capello will need those 15 months
to complete his building. Iker Casillas is superior to any of his
goalkeepers and, while Rio Ferdinand and John Terry would displace Spain's
central defenders, the decline of Ashley Cole would let in both of their
full backs.
They would have five of the front six, too, for, while Rooney might edge out
David Silva, there could be no interfering with Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc
Fàbregas/Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Fernando Torres, even to squeeze in
Steven Gerrard. When that changes, the world title will beckon.
[uredio dr.Damir - 03. travnja 2009. u 14:18]
sve prolazi sve se mijenja, idu dani idu godine, samo Zrinjski ostaje ponos moje Hercegovine