Although both teams most likely would have preferred not to meet each other at this stage of the World Cup, Germany play England Sunday afternoon (June 27th) in Bloemfontein for a place in the quarter-finals.
Arguably the match is the first “big” game of the tournament, featuring two sides that have got a rich World Cup history together, and tomorrow’s game is likely to add to that.
Germany, who advanced to the knock-out stages after topping Group D, are without striker Cacau, and Jerome Boateng is reportedly a doubt also. However, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger took part in full training Saturday, winning his race to be fit for the game, as is influential midfielder Mesut Ozil. Miroslav Klose is available for selection after serving out his one-match suspension.
England, who qualified as runners-up in Group C, had for the first time in the tournament all twenty-three members of their squad able to train yesterday. Defender Ledley King, who has been injured since the first group game, has recovered from a groin injury, whilst Wayne Rooney has recovered from a knock to his ankle.
The decisions for Capello to make then lie with his starting XI, such as whether to continue with the likes of Matthew Upson, James Milner or Jermain Defoe, who all started against Slovenia.
Germany, who have brought their youngest squad to a World Cup, have never gone twenty years or more between their winning World Cup campaigns, their last coming in 1990, when they knocked out England in the semi-finals.
England are on their best run of form in a World Cup ever though, unbeaten in their last eight games in the tournament, excluding penalty shoot-outs, although neither team will hope it comes to this.
What is certain though, after tomorrow’s game, one of the pre-tournament favourites will be going home.
World Cup 2010: Germany vs England preview & time – old rivalry again
We are now into the Round of 16 at the
FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, with the group stage well and truly over. Today, Sunday June 27, sees a momentous match, one that football aficionados will be watching avidly, as the old rivalry between Germany and England rears its head on the football field yet again. If England had won their group they could have avoided this clash so early on, but it wasn’t to be.
For the full Round of 16 teams, match schedule and bracket see
here. Germany vs England will be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm local time, or see the
World Clock here for the time wherever you are. The tendency when you think of Germany vs England football matches is to think straight away about a penalty shoot-out concluding the match, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Fabio Capello, England manager has the relief of plenty of options for his latest starting XI but it looks likely that he’ll stay with the lineup that won the match against Slovenia. Jamie Carragher though is back from suspension and Ledley King is now fit to play following injury, according to
BBC Sport. For those England fans worried about Wayne Rooney’s ankle knock at the end of the match against Slovenia it appears that he’s fit and able to play.
Joachim Loew the German manager does have some injury concerns though. Cacau is unable to play following a
stomach muscle injury which is a blow for Germany, although fortunately Miroslav Klose is now able to play following a suspension. There are further concerns for the Germans though as not only is Bastian Schweinsteiger doubtful following a hamstring injury, but also Jerome Boateng is currently suffering a calf strain. It is not yet known if either will be able to play.
One thing for sure is that now the World Cup 2010 has reached the knock out stages every minute of each match is crucial and so this is set to be a real nailbiter. For more on this go to
BBC Sport. We’d like to hear your predictions for the outcome of this match so why not let us know how you think the game will go.
Source:
onlykent.com
This is one match I will make sure I won't miss to see Germany and England renew their rivalry. his is a must see match.
Briefing the media in Pretoria, Gigaba said 188,702 Lesotho nationals had entered the country, while 173,043 had departed SA.
