Op-Ed \ Andrew Rogers

England heads to World Cup with hope and consternation.

-- Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones

In 2002, England lacked the necessary skill to break down a team with 10 men. In 1998, a failure to practice penalty kicks led to its elimination, having failed to adhere to the emphatic warning from world governing body FIFA that retaliation would be a straight red-card offense. Having reached the semifinals in 1990, the English did not even qualify for World Cup USA '94.

Yet, one cannot help but feel that despite their success elsewhere in culture and society, the English would happily forego these accomplishments to alleviate the pain and agony they have endured since their solitary success 40 years ago, just for a chance to taste again the ultimate glory that is winning the FIFA World Cup.

Thus, last Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Uruguay at Anfield in Liverpool marked an important point in the buildup to this summer as it was Sven-Goran Eriksson's last chance to assess players before choosing his World Cup squad for Germany.

The overall direction in which the team is headed is promising. In previous campaigns, England has been over-reliant on a particular player, or hard work and tenacity, to progress. This time around, the side has a more coherent plan and an innate confidence that it can take on any opposition and compete on equal terms. Furthermore, with the emergence of Joe Cole, England can threaten the opposition defense and score goals across the whole field.

Defensively, the side is very sound on paper. However, with Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge returning from long-term injuries, and Rio Ferdinand still lacking concentration at vital moments, there are causes for concern, especially when England faces the stronger sides and the summer heat asks questions of player fitness.

Despite not having anything to prove, Uruguay found, as have other sides, that England can be opened up through midfield more easily than would be expected. Should Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard be paired this summer, the lack of a player prepared to anchor the midfield and provide simple reception and passing options could prove problematic. England struggled in 2002 and 2004 through an inability to maintain possession; if it wants to compete in the later rounds, spending protracted periods of time defending cannot be entertained.

England is currently in a position to take on the world's best. This has not been this case since 1970 when Jeff Astle ostensible kicked England's chances a foot wide of an open goal against Brazil. If current manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is prepared to endure the media scrutiny and maintain a midfield of Cole, Michael Carrick, Lampard, and David Beckham, along with Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, anything is possible.

Looking forward, there are still unerring questions that need to be answered. Firstly, why is a manager that has lost only two competitive fixtures since 2001allowed to be unseated from his job? Because of a newspaper setup? Yes, that's right a "newspaper" setup!

The English Football Association is currently looking for a new head coach with European and international experience. Eriksson not only ticks these boxes, but has two major tournaments under his belt. The future incumbent will not have the same experience in preparing a national side for international competition and will have to go through this process, which could undermine the next qualifying campaign.

Secondly, having been knocked out on penalty kicks in four of their last five major tournaments, does England have the confidence to take teams to penalties, should the opposition not want to play? When I recently asked Owen about this prospect, he laughed and avoided the question, suggesting perhaps that penalties conjured thoughts that they do not want to address.

Whatever argument is made for why England should win this summer's World Cup, Uruguay's presence last Wednesday provided a poignant reminder of the flaws in the hopes, dreams and aspirations reserved for the carriers of the Three Lions symbol.

England's reputation as a leading nation lies far beyond the realities of its success and a 1966 World Cup title. Uruguay has won two World Cups, while Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Argentina and Czech Republic have all competed in more major finals and\or won more trophies. England's quest in Germany will undoubtedly bring excruciating highs and lows; the nation that introduced to the world the beautiful game needs, no, prays the footballing gods will smile on them once again this year.

Andrew Rogers, a regular contributor to the United Kingdom's League Paper and Non League Paper, lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC. E-mail Andrew Rogers.

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