Post by Taxigirl on Mar 23, 2005 8:44:09 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
Sven Goran Eriksson remains convinced that England have the quality to win the 2006 World Cup.
England recommence their quest to reach next summer's finals in Germany by entertaining Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Eriksson's troops are bang on course to qualify automatically for next summer's tournament having so far dominated a mediocre group.
With England having exited at the quarter final stage of the past two international competitions, Eriksson feels there are reasons to be confident about the team's prospects in Germany.
"I think we have as good a chance as all the other big teams," said Eriksson.
"I think it showed in Japan, we lost 2-1 to who won the World Cup and in Portugal I think we were a little unlucky to go out.
"Even though we did only reach the quarter finals we were almost there.
"I think by giving the team a four-week break before the World Cup, and with more mature players, we should have a chance.
"But first of all we have to qualify for it."
England play host to Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan in the coming week and Eriksson is wary about under-estimating his team's opponents.
He added: "I understand it on paper that it should be easy but that is only on paper.
"In reality, many times it is quite different. Of course it is dangerous, especially dangerous for me, my coaches and players to think that it will be easy.
"If you think it will be an easy game, you will probably not play as well as you should and they will surprise you."
England will conclude the 2004/05 campaign with a brief tour to the United States, a trip which has brought criticism from club managers, such as Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
But Eriksson feels he should be praised for not having England's players involved in qualifying fixtures and is, instead, looking forward to the games with the USA and Colombia.
"In life you are always criticised for something," he continued.
"When we did the fixture list for the qualification games we play now, I had only one request - no games in June and we are among the few countries in Europe not playing in June.
"I wanted the players to rest for a long time before the World Cup year. The America tour is at the end of May and gives me an opportunity to play two non-European teams.
"I can go there with a team, maybe a young team. I will pick the best players but if some players have some small problem, I will not take them there."
"I'm not bound to play Beckham and Terry and whatever. I think it's going to be very good. I'm sure the players want to go to America to play."
Sven Goran Eriksson remains convinced that England have the quality to win the 2006 World Cup.
England recommence their quest to reach next summer's finals in Germany by entertaining Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Eriksson's troops are bang on course to qualify automatically for next summer's tournament having so far dominated a mediocre group.
With England having exited at the quarter final stage of the past two international competitions, Eriksson feels there are reasons to be confident about the team's prospects in Germany.
"I think we have as good a chance as all the other big teams," said Eriksson.
"I think it showed in Japan, we lost 2-1 to who won the World Cup and in Portugal I think we were a little unlucky to go out.
"Even though we did only reach the quarter finals we were almost there.
"I think by giving the team a four-week break before the World Cup, and with more mature players, we should have a chance.
"But first of all we have to qualify for it."
England play host to Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan in the coming week and Eriksson is wary about under-estimating his team's opponents.
He added: "I understand it on paper that it should be easy but that is only on paper.
"In reality, many times it is quite different. Of course it is dangerous, especially dangerous for me, my coaches and players to think that it will be easy.
"If you think it will be an easy game, you will probably not play as well as you should and they will surprise you."
England will conclude the 2004/05 campaign with a brief tour to the United States, a trip which has brought criticism from club managers, such as Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
But Eriksson feels he should be praised for not having England's players involved in qualifying fixtures and is, instead, looking forward to the games with the USA and Colombia.
"In life you are always criticised for something," he continued.
"When we did the fixture list for the qualification games we play now, I had only one request - no games in June and we are among the few countries in Europe not playing in June.
"I wanted the players to rest for a long time before the World Cup year. The America tour is at the end of May and gives me an opportunity to play two non-European teams.
"I can go there with a team, maybe a young team. I will pick the best players but if some players have some small problem, I will not take them there."
"I'm not bound to play Beckham and Terry and whatever. I think it's going to be very good. I'm sure the players want to go to America to play."