With qualification for the World Cup finals in 2010 now safely assured, the next crucial matter for team England is the inclusion of David Beckham in the World cup squad. Fans are wondering whether the old magic of “Golden Balls” will be revived in 2010.
Certain quarters are doubtful that Beckham would be able to keep up with the rigorous demands of international football due to his age (35). However, we beg to differ!
Another main problem that Beckham faces stems from Capello’s much documented dislike for celebrity lifestyle. The Italian has made it very clear since taking over the team, that he intends his reign to be markedly different from previous managers who rather courted the media attention. Capello’s No WAG policy only illustrates his desire to keep his camp a tight and collected one. He wants the news of his team to be only about football and no fashion or controversies.
There’s another quarter that perceives Beckham as a surplus for the team owing to the emergence of newer talents. The right of midfield is now home to the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott. All these players however, are cast in a similar mould; pacey, skilful, and forward thinking. Beckham is cast in a different mould altogether and can give the side some much needed variation, especially in situations where the game is tight and requires a certain special something in order to break the dead-lock.
We believe that to oust David Beckham because of his age would be discriminatory and unjustified given the player’s painstaking fitness regime. His inclusion in the team is vital for its success and motivation. Beckhams’ experience and expertise would be instrumental in guiding the team through the tournament. Moreover, his ability to take on the defenders with blinding pace and skill could be instrumental in taking the team ahead in the tournament. No other player can match up to the way he can deliver THE decisive ball, THE telling pass, THE one that matters. In terms of dead ball deliveries and precision crosses, there is no one better than Becks. Time and time again he has delivered the best for his team and we would continue to do so.
England needs David Beckham as much as David Beckham needs England. His passion, his experience, and his knowledge are crucial to the Three Lions chances in South Africa. Keep aside his celeb status, consider his talent and skill and then it is easy to figure out that Beckham is an integral piece to the English jigsaw.
As the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup finals draw for a close, the excitement is at its peak amongst the football lovers. With titans like Argentina and Portugal still battling to be in the hat when the draw is made in Cape Town on December 4, it is all but natural that keen fans keep fretting in excitement and anticipation. Once the qualification rounds are complete, all but nine World Cup teams will be determined. Here is the state of play ahead of the tournament:
(ref: www.cnn.com)
South America:
In the South American zone all the eyes are on whether Diego Maradona’s Argentina will miss their first finals since 1970. In a group where the top four sides qualify and the fifth-placed team goes into a play-off in November against the fourth-placed CONCACAF side, the Argentines face Uruguay who are only a point behind them in fifth. Having lost four straight games away from home Argentine is not set for a faceoff with some of the league’s most prolific scorers of Uruguay. If Diego’s men lose and Ecuador wins in their away clash with Chile, Argentina would finish sixth and will be oust from the 2010 challenge.
Five-time champions Brazil, and dark horses Paraguay and Chile have already secured places in the South American zone.
Europe:
England, Netherlands and European champions Spain have safely occupied three of the nine automatic places on offer in September, and were recently joined by three-times champions Germany, defending champions Italy, Denmark and Serbia. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal enter into tonight’s final qualifier against Malt, desperately needing a win in Group One to give the Iberians their best chance of a play-off position.
While group two leaders Switzerland only need a draw with Israel to make their second straight World Cup finals, a defeat could see Greece seal a berth instead if they beat Luxembourg. In group three, Slovakia must beat Poland to prevent Slovenia from winning the top spot if they complete an expected victory over a poor San Marino.
In group six Ukraine needs only to beat Andorra for a play-off spot while Group Nine sees Norway needing a culmination of results to go their way to grab a play-off place.
CONCACAF:
Mexico’s win over El Salvador (4-1) has secured them a place in the World Cup, while the United States qualified after defeating Honduras. Now, Costa Rica and Honduras are battling it out for the final qualification place and play the United States and El Salvador respectively, while the fourth-placed team will go into a play-off position against the fifth-placed South American nation.
Africa:
Ghana were the first country from Africa to clinch qualification, comfortably winning their group last month with two matches still to play, while the Ivory Coast joined them to leave three other places still up for grabs for the next round of qualifiers in November.
Asia / Oceania:
The four automatic places have been taken by Australia, Japan and North and South Korea, while Bahrain face a play-off against Oceania group winners New Zealand for the zones’ remaining finals spot. Bahrain were held 0-0 at home in the opening leg in Manama on Saturday, with the return leg in Wellington on November 14.
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