Fifa World Cup 2006 - The England Story (FWC2006)

[hondeyho]

Farewell Flight

We were unable to get a word with any of the England squad as they set off from Luton Airport to go to the World Cup. So instead we shall bring you some post-friendlies anaylsis and predictions:

David Beckham avoids the press

England vs Hungary Post-Match Analysis

England played the First-Half very well and that's what we need to see from them. I was particulary impressed by Michael Owen that game as he got through and was denied by Gabor Kiraly a fair few times. For me Peter Crouch didn't do much at all and he didn't see much of the ball that game.
In the midfield we were solid and had a very good success rate of passing, most impressive for me was Joe Cole - he played almost a winger sometimes and was a real problem for the Hungarians. Beckham's corners were less than average and Gerrard was quite dissapointing as well.
It seems as though our left-sided problems are gone and that it is becoming our main stake of play as Ashley Cole made a successful come-back to the England side. Defensively we were solid at most times but sometimes we gave the ball away and were sloppy in the passing, that needs to improve.

England vs Jamaica Post-Match Analysis

Well it seems as though England didn't learn their lesson from the last game, they played poorly and they have to accept that. Peter Crouch was England's man-of-the-match and he came on as a substitute, nobody was feeding him the ball though - he made a daring run from the half-way line to get his shot on goal!
The midfield was once again dissapointing with Lampard and Gerrard not up to their usual standards, Beckham's supplying was poor but Joe Cole stood out once again. If he is fully fit Joe Cole will be a real danger man in the World Cup.
The defence was sloppy yet again and England failed to make the tackles - half-way in their own half - that would of stopped chances being created. The inclusion of Jamie Carragher made little difference and he was not his usual self that he normally is for Liverpool.
England need to step-up before they play Paraguay or otherwise there could be a shock result in store.

 

[hondeyho]

Wayne Rooney flies home

Will Rooney be singing the National Anthem by the Round of 16?

Wayne Rooney has flown back home from Germany to have his final scan on his broken metatarsal. On arrival he will be rushed to Manchester in which he will have his scan.

This scan will decide what part Rooney will play in the World Cup, fingers crossed people.

 

[Yorkshire_No1]

Hopefully Rooney will play a part for you

 

[hondeyho]

Rooney will start training on June 14th

Wayne Rooney will be able to start training with the England Camp on June 14th - a day before the Trinidad & Tobago game, but is unlikely to be risked for the Sweden game on the 20th June. If England make it to the Round of 16, he is most likely to play then on either the 24th or 25th June.

Rooney surprisingly showed no emotion at the press-conference

Rooney had this to say at a press-conference at Old Trafford:

'I'm delighted that I'll be able to play some part in this World Cup, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me, the Manchester United physios, Leif Sward, (England Doctor), who has been supportive all the way. I'd like to thank Sven and I'd also like to thank the whole country for being behind me. If we get through I will do my best!'

So as England prepare for tommorow's opening match against Paraguay, can they put all their miserable friendly failures behind them?

ENGLAND VS PARAGUAY

KICKS'-OFF TOMMOROW​

 

[hondeyho]

World Cup Reports, Group A:

So after a spectacular opening ceremony, the hosts Germany got things underway against Costa Rica in the spectacular Allianz Arena

The Allianz Arena was the stage for the first-match of this World Cup

Result: Germany 2 Costa Rica 1

Then it was off to Gelsenkirchen and the Veltins Arena of Schalke 04 as Poland played Ecuador

Result: Ecuador 1 Poland 0

So next up is Group B, with England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, and Sweden all playing each other. Until then goodbye.

 

[hondeyho]

First-Half Report

So everything is in shape here at the Waldstadion, here is the England-Lineup, I'm sure you couldn't care about the Paraguayans.

16th Minute: Crouch has the first shot of the game, but it is easily saved by Villar

22nd Minute: Great through ball from Joe Cole and finds it way through to Peter Crouch who crosses it, but Owen's header is denied by the post, so close.

Video Clip:


25th Minute: GOOOOALLLLLLLLLL! Owen scores a goal which Gemmill would be proud of as he is on the receiving end of a great Beckham pass, he takes it round a few and then makes a fantastic curler with his left-foot, what a goal!

Video Clip:


27th Minute: England are really exploiting the through-ball here as Lampard threads it through to Crouch who's shot is superbly saved.

Villar makes a superb save.

29th Minute: GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL! Yes! From the resulting corner it falls straight onto the head of Frank Lampard who makes it an easy second.

Video Clip: Sorry, the highlights man was picking his nose at the time of this goal

Lampard celebrates after a well-taken header.

38th Minute: Once again Owen is threaded through, he has a pot-shot on goal but it is easily saved.

44th Minute: GOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLL! Peter Crouch is threaded through, the pass is overhit but Crouch hits it first-time and in it goes for number three.

Video Clip:

Crouch punches the air in celebration.

HALF-TIME

So England have dominated Paraguay so far as shown by these stats:

So can they take the initiative in the Second-Half?

 

[gaurav_indian]

This is the best story I have seen here.

 

[hondeyho]

Second-Half Report

So England have a 3-0 lead and should go on to win this one, lets see what happens:

49th Minute: Beckham makes a great run down the right-hand side, brilliant cross but Owen fails to keep it low.

Owen heads it high and wide.

53rd Minute: Parades takes it round Terry and Santa-Cruz is unmarked in the box! What a save from Robinson and it is cleared away, close one there for England.

Video Clip:


54th Minute: The resulting clearance makes it way straight to Crouch who passes it on to Owen who realises that the defenders aren't closing him down. He makes a run for it but his weary legs can't produce the final shot.

Owen shoots but his shot is saved.

59th Minute: Substituion

Santa Cruz off, Cardozo on, Paraguay trying to extend their attacking options but this game is really England's, Santa Cruz has been Paraguay's best player so far.

66th Minute: Double Substitution

Gerrard off, Wright-Phillips on, Crouch off, Walcott on, well this game is ours so it will be great to give Walcott a run a round, Gerrard has played well today and has been sharp in his tackling, Crouch has also been a great provider.

70th Minute: This time they catch us out on the through ball, but Robinson rushes out and easily saved Cardoza's attempted lob.

72nd Minute: GOOALLLLLLLLLL! Theo Walcott! Owen is threaded a lovely ball through and makes a clean run, but instead of being selfish he makes a square ball to Walcott who finishes calmly, Walcott is ecstatic!

Video Clip:

Can't catch me! Walcott scores for England.

75th Minute: With Walcott buzzing with confidence, he makes a dash for it but when he realises he can't run any more he makes a lofted ball to Owen, Owen's left-footed volley goes wide.

82nd Minute: Paraguay switch off and Walcott makes a through ball to Owen, he runs, he shoots, it's saved and the corner is prevented.

85th Minute: Paraguay get a corner but their chance to get one back fails.

91st Minute: Walcott is forced onto the left hand side but he somehow manages to get a cross in and Frank Lampard misses a sitter! Easy header but he somehow makes it go wide!

FULL-TIME

What a result here for England, Robinson was excellent, the defence was solid, the midfield provided some inspirational passes, and the strikers finished it off, superb all-round performance from England and they'll look to build on that.

Other Group B Match Results:

Sweden 1 Trinidad & Tobago 1

This is what the table looks like after that match:

So England are top of the group after their thrashing of Paraguay - they are ready to play Trinidad & Tobago, until then goodnight.

 

[Sureshot]

What is this like in comparison to PES5?

Is it like your typical FIFA game?

 

[BigCrickNan]

What is this like in comparison to PES5?

Is it like your typical FIFA game?

Nope, most of it has been re-done. Goalies are completely re-desgined to make them more realistic and dynamic but it makes penalty saving hard. Quite similar to PES5 in quiality though, it'll be worth buying FIFA07.

 

[Bala]

How is PES5? Just got it yesterday!

 

[Deleted member 9102]

Edit: Chris Gayle

 

[cric_craze]

great start for england

 

[hassan]

lets get to the Topic... Great Story and presentation HONDEYHO keep it going

 

[Left_Hander]

Easy win for England. Drushing defeat for Paraguay.