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Match preview - Brazil vs. England - A World Cup peep
Thursday 12 November 2009
While a friendly has been organised between these two international enigmas, eyes will be fixed on performances fit enough for the World Cup finals next year and tactics employed by the men in the dugouts. Recent England performances have steered clear of characteristic negative reviews - a month ago to the day since the last England game, a 3-0 sweep of Belarus. It is no great argument to say that facing the five times World Champions will be a different test. England have beaten Brazil three times in friendly matches, the last time they played Brazil resulted in a 1-1 draw at Wembley in June 2007 - David Beckham proved to be the key with a cross for John Terry to score the opener. Both teams find themselves in the comfortable position of having qualified for South Africa, however, even a friendly between these two nations will have a deeper meaning.
England - The key factors for Capello’s side are the defensive areas - the loss of full-backs Ashley Cole and now Liverpool’s Glen Johnson leaves Capello with a force3d opportunity in looking at other alternatives. Manchester United’s Wes Brown will be the favourite to deputise at right-back while the versatile Joleon Lescott is likely to slot in at left-back. Matthew Upson faces a stern test replacing the injured Rio Ferdinand as he faces the brilliant attacking threat of Samba’s. England are likely to line up 4-4-2, with the ever-present Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry expected to be flanked by the impressive James Milner and one of Shaun-Wright Phillips or Ashley Young. The England Head Coach has overseen a string of decent performances by the Three Lions bringing a level of consistency helped by the in-form Wayne Rooney who will joined up front by Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole or recent call up Darren Bent.
21 Foster
22 Brown - 13 Upson - 6 Terry - 23 Lescott
16 Wright-Phillips - 8 Lampard - 4 Barry - 11 Milner
10 Rooney - 18 Crouch
Brazil - There is a plethora of Brazilian attacking talent to choose from for the more defensive minded Dunga, who will have to prepare for a test, not only against England, but also against the notoriously insatiable Press from his homeland. The Brazilian Coach and former World Cup winning captain is likely to re-call Kaka and the skilful Robinho to the Seleção although the Manchester City flyer is likely to start on the bench at best after a recent injury layoff. At the back, captain Lucio is likely to line up alongside Luisao and the thundering Maicon at right-back. The midfield ranks boasts a blend of old and new as veteran Gilberto Silva has Juventus new boy Felipe Melo alongside him in the centre of the park. Kaka will no doubt be gracing a more attacking role given the protection the aforementioned duo offer. Up front, Dunga favourite Luis Fabiano will be a constant threat possibly combined with Nilmar or newly selected Hulk.
1 Julio Cesar
2 Maicon - 3 Lucio - 15 Luisao - 6 Fabio Aurelio
10 Kaka - 8 Felipe Melo - 5 Gilberto Silva - 7 Elano
9 Fabiano - 11 Nilmar
Both nations have such high expectations and have put in strong performances recently so this should be a competitive clash. The issue with England has been that they storm past smaller nations but seem to buckle against top opposition, with Peter Crouch acknowledging: “Perhaps we still have something to prove against the top sides in the world.” Dunga has already proved that his side have the mettle to match the skill by grinding out results - winning the Confederations Cup, the Copa America and beating old rivals Argentina on the way. For England, Lampard penetrating through the middle will be key to breaking Brazil’s new-found solidarity at the back. The Brazilians’ dangerous goal poacher Luis Fabiano is what England should be wary of around the six-yard box. For pessimistic England fans and over-enthusiastic Brazil fans, this could be a reality check on how far the teams are willing to go for the golden prize.
England
- The 23-man England squad (according to A Different League)
August 12, 2009 - 19:45 - Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
Holland 2-2 England - Kuyt 10, van der Vaart 38 - Defoe 49, 77
- ECF - Three Lions gear up for ‘ridiculous’ friendly - August 11, 2009
- Match report
- England Analysis - Superior England spoiled by shocking errors
September 5, 2009 - 17:30 - Wembley, London
England 2-1 Slovenia - Lampard 31, Defoe 63 - Ljubijankic 83
- ECF - Calm before the storm - September 3, 2009
- Match Report
- England Analysis - Tepid dress rehearsal sparked by Defoe
September 9, 2009 - 20:00 - Wembley, London
England 5-1 Croatia - Lampard 8 (pen), 59, Gerrard 18, 66, Rooney 77 - Eduardo 73
- ECF - Rooney to meet his supposed mentor - September 8, 2009
- England Analysis - Sweet revenge for superb England
- ECF - England finds form, then more questions - September 12, 2009
October 10, 2009 - 17:15 - Dnipro Arena, Dnipropetrovsk
Ukraine 1-0 England - Nazarenko 29 (Green sent off 15)
- ECF - Beckham is going to the World Cup - October 6, 2009
-England Analysis - Calamitous England ruin perfect record - October 10, 2009
October 14, 2009 - 20:00 - Wembley, London
England 3-0 Belarus - Crouch 4, 76, Wright-Phillips 59
-ECF - Capello’s men halfway through double-whammy of tests before entering final year examinations - October 12, 2009
- England Analysis - Comfortable result overshadows lacklustre display - October 15, 2009
November 14, 2009 - 17:00 - Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Brazil vs. England
- ECF - More than a just a friendly for Capello - November 11, 2009
- Tactical preview - November 12, 2009
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