England - The Roaring Lions

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inspired an England victory as they move within 3 points on securing a World Cup place next year.

Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leighton Baines moved England within 3 points of securing a place in next years World Cup after they beat a Poland team who could not tuck away their chances, with Robert Lewandowski failing the find the net multiple times.

England XI vs Poland

(4-3-3) Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Jones, Henderson, Lampard(c); Oxlade-Chamberlain, Townsend, Rooney

Subs: Foster, Ward-Prowse, Milner, Lambert, Gibbs, Gerrard, Walcott, Johnson, Wilshere, Welbeck, Rodriguez.

Poland XI vs England

(4-2-3-1) Szczesny; Olkowski, Glik, Perquis, Boenisch; Krychowiak, Borysiuk; Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak; Lewandowski.

Subs: Boruc, Dorda, Kandziora, Wszolek, Jutkiewicz, Klich, Grosicki, Matuszczyk, Kittel, Fabianski.

The game began with an electric atmosphere with many Polish fans chanting and trying to make the stadium as hostile as possible for England, however Lampard had a very calm head and started pinging passes around the Polish midfield.

England started to attack well, as they were catching out Poland on the break and Henderson was able to play the ball through a gap in Poland's back-line but Rooney was stopped in his tracks due to the linesman's flag, and after detailed analysis, he made the right call.

However England were able to make a breakthrough when Lampard won a free-kick around 35 yards from the goal, he took it and swung it into the far post where Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was lurking, and the young Arsenal winger was able to connect with the ball well and smash it into teammate Szczesny's top corner to give England a well deserved lead.

Poland tried to respond and almost did when Lewandowski was played through after Polanski slipped a ball past Kyle Walker and allowed Lewandowski to be one-on-one with Joe Hart, you would have put money on Lewandowski equalising for Poland but the Dortmund forward could only find the fingertips of Joe Hart as he diverted the ball away and Phil Jones was able to claim the ball and play it forward.

Soon after Poland had a free-kick around 25 yard from goal, and Lewandowski stepped up to take it, he fired the ball over the wall but Joe Hart was able to hold on and played the ball forward quickly to Rooney who was able to hold up play, he waited for support and Leighton Baines galloped forward past Rooney, who was able to flick the ball into his path and Baines cooly finished past Szczesny to make it 2-0 England.

After the break, Poland put pressure on England and yet again Robert Lewandowski couldn't convert his chance after he was given enough space to have a shot, but the in-form striker got his angles all wrong and hit the ball away from Joe Hart and past the far post.

Poland continued pushing England but they could not create anything and England were able to control the midfield for the last stages of the game to ensure a very well earnt win for Roy Hodgson's men and will give England the chance to qualify for the World Cup if they beat San Marino at home in a months time.

Roy Hodgson's Post Match Comments:

"The whole team performed superbly out there tonight, they held up play well and took their chances. I am very pleased with the way we won the game and how we defended in the second half. I am aware that if we beat San Marino next month we'll have qualified for the World Cup but we cannot get complacent and we will work very hard next time we meet up to secure qualification for the World Cup next year."

England have qualified for the World Cup after dispatching a weak San Marino team 3-0, with Michael Carrick scoring the pick of the goals.

Michael Carrick's goal inspired England to victory as they needed to win against San Marino to confirm their place in the 2014 World Cup, with Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney also registering their name on the score-sheet.

England beat Poland 2-0 before playing San Marino and looked very likely to qualify as they performed very well against Robert Lewandowski and his team mates, and Roy Hodgson wanted to ensure his team would get a solid result against San Marino and opted for a rather strong team, with the exception of usual winger Theo Walcott being replaced by Jay Rodriguez.

San Marino however named the same team they have used all season, with them only being able to register 4 points in the entire group stage, the stage was set for England to dominate the game and get a few goals to book their place in the World Cup.

England started very well and very early on in the game Michael Carrick received the ball from a good 30 yards out and was able to put enough power into the shot for it to beat the goalkeeper and nestle in the top corner.

England were able to double their lead just before the break when Henderson swung in a corner for Jones to leap the highest and divert the ball into the top net, which really put the pressure on San Marino to respond in the second half.

Michael Carrick (shown above) was able to score a wonderful 30 yard goal to give England the lead.

San Marino could get out of their own half in the second half and when Wilshere won back possession and gave the ball to the on-rushing Wayne Rooney who was able to have enough space to measure his angles and place the ball into the bottom right corner to secure qualification for England.

Roy Hodgson's Post Match Comments:

"I want to congratulate the whole team on an amazing qualification campaign, they all played superbly and deserve the place in the World Cup next year. It'll be very tough deciding on which player to take with me however we have a lot of the season to go and a few friendlies coming up so I can get a picture in my mind on who will be getting a place in my squad."

Congrats mate! Some very good results.

Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole has criticised England manager Roy Hodgson for not picking him at all in any of England's qualifying games.

Ashley Cole has spoke to the media this morning and was asked about his England future, in which he criticised England manager Roy Hodgson for not picking him in the qualifying campaign.
Cole dished out some very hurtful words about Roy Hodgson which left many Chelsea and England fans alike feel very disappointed in the left-back.

Coles comments on Roy Hodgson:

"Well Roy really doesn't have any knowledge in management then if he can't choose England's number one left back. I can't believe he hasn't chose me and I hope he struggles in the next few games and wishes he chose me instead of Luke Shaw. I've really lost respect for him and I think what he has done has torn our working relationship apart."

Hodgson hasn't responded to Cole's comments however England Captain Steven Gerrard repsonded to Cole's comments in a recent interview for Liverpool's next home game:

"It's very unprofessional what Ashley has done, I am actually really shocked he came out with those comments as they were uncalled for. I fully respect Roy and he has done an magnificent job in getting us to qualify for the World Cup. I think Ashley should look back on his comments and feel ashamed of himself.

The FA have also not commented as of yet however many rumours suggest that Cole will earn a fine for criticising Roy Hodgson and what he has said has dented his hopes even more for the World Cup now.

England manager Roy Hodgson has a big decision to make next summer when he chooses his squad for the 2014 World Cup.
Will he opt for experience? Or let the young guns prove themselves in the biggest competition in football history? In under a year's time we will see who he chooses and whether or not it will play off.

Roy Hodgson made time in his day to talk to Goal.com about the 2014 World Cup, his selection issues and how he thinks the World Cup will pan out.

"I am actually extremely excited to start this World Cup, it'll be a very good one, that's for sure. Regarding my team, it'll be such a hard decision, as many players this season have impressed me and quite frankly, I only have two to three players on my list to take in the World Cup. No doubt this will be the hardest decision I've ever made in my career and that is why I am going to keep my list open and see how this year's domestic season pans out and how players have performed. I will not be taking players to Brazil on what club they play for, but how well they have performed this season regardless of their club."

"We have many friendlies to come before I have to name my squad and I'll put this out there right now, I will be inviting different players to play these friendlies who have been is good form this season and I'll make my judgement after these friendly games. There is no guaranteed place for anyone except the odd two or three as I mentioned before. I believe that the players I have available to me are all capable of adding something to the squad, however some add more than others, and it'll be a hard task telling those who didn't get picked that they haven't been chosen to go to Brazil."

"If the players I choose perform to their very best ability, they can definitely win the World Cup, no, I'm not being optimistic, I really do believe that if the players I choose hit form just at the right time, we could perform the heroics of 1966 again."

Hodgson stated that he'll be taking players who have performed well all season and already there are a few names who have already impressed Roy Hodgson in their domestic games and international games.
One player who have really emerged onto the scene this year is Jay Rodriguez, the Southampton forward who is having a blinder of a season.

Jay Rodriguez(above), has already scored 3 times in 11 games for Southampton this season.

Rodriguez offers buckets of pace and the ability to keep a cool head and finish the ball past the opposition goalkeeper. Rodriguez could see players like Manchester United's Ashley Young move out of the squad, as they have not hit the best of form and Rodriguez is currently on fire.

It will be an interesting time when Hodgson makes his decision on his team for the World Cup, but one thing is sure, Hodgson has very good judgement skills and whoever he picks will be for a very good reason.

Danny Welbeck's superb half volley secured a friendly win for England against an inspired Mexico side which contained lots of pace.

England have won the first of their two friendly matches against Mexico in which Roy Hodgson selected a team which included new England stars who have emerged onto the scene.
England will face Greece next and look in good form as they prepare for the World Cup in Brazil.

England XI vs Mexico

(4-3-3)Butland; Walker, Caulker, Cahill, Baines; Henderson, Jones, Carrick; Welbeck, Rooney, Barkley.

England started off very brightly being able to move freely around the centre of the park and Mexico were exposed countless times with Jordan Henderson playing some lovely fast passes to the feet of England's front three of Welbeck, Rooney and Barkley.

Barkley was one of the shock inclusions in this friendly game however he instantly made a very good impression to the England faithful after combining well with Rooney and cutting inside from the right but just pulling his shot past the far post but gave Mexico multiple warning signs.

Soon after, Danny Welbeck picked up the ball from the halfway line and ran forward towards Mexico's box, he laid the ball off to Henderson who advanced with him and Henderson played it out wide to Barkley who was able to cross towards the back-peddling Welbeck and as the ball bounced, Welbeck struck the ball cleanly and smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Welbeck's goal inspired England and they came close again after Phil Jones was fouled 30 yards out and Wayne Rooney took the free-kick and smashed the crossbar to really worry Mexico just before half time.

England started quickly in the second half and immediately claimed a corner which Gary Cahill was able to power the ball into the net and secure the victory for England.

Cahill(above) scored England's second goal and really impressed Roy Hodgson tonight.



Roy Hodgson's Post Match Comments:

"The team altogether played very well. I included some new faces in there and they performed to their very best. I am very happy with the performance of all the team but in particular Gary Cahill, as he offered an aerial threat from set-pieces and was a rock at the back. I think also that Ross (Barkley) played very well on the right tonight and if he continues those performances he can definitely get in the team for the World Cup."

Really nice updates, this team is really tough to pick from but good luck!

2014-04-02 19:20#167068 ZapdosTheGreat : Really nice updates, this team is really tough to pick from but good luck!

Thanks mate! Your comment means a lot!

England defeat Greece 1-0 to end off their friendlies matches on a high, with Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring the winning goal.

After dispatching Mexico, England moved on to their final friendly game before the World Cup and easily defeated Greece to end off a very good month for them.
Hodgson look set to name the same line-up which impressed against Mexico but Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney was withdrawn pre-match with a suspected pulled groin muscle which had him in discomfort as he was rushed to the physio room, and Hodgson recalled Adam Lallana after he recovered from an ankle injury which he suffered at the start of the season.

England XI vs Greece

(4-3-3)Butland; Walker, Caulker, Jones, Baines; Henderson, Wilshere, Carrick; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rooney, Lallana.

England, as per usual, started positively and kept possession for the first 10 minutes or so of the game, trying to stretch Greece's back four as much as possible and use the pace on the wings as both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lallana were introduced and tried to run behind the defence.

Greece rarely kept possession as England dominated the opening 30 minutes, however they had nothing on the score-sheet to prove their dominance and Wilshere wasted the best of opportunity of the first half firing just over the crossbar after the ball dropped nicely to him after Rooneys deflected shot spinned in the air and dropped to the feet of Wilshere but he couldn't convert the chance.

Frustration was shown all around the ground with the travelling England fans expressing their boredom however the players maintained the spirit and came close to getting the lead but Rooney produced a remarkable save from Greece's keeper who dived low to his right and flicked the ball over the post, which both the English and Greek fans applauded.

Frustation: Rooney(above), could not find the back of the net after Alexandros Tzorvas made a remarkable save to deny Rooney's low driven shot.

England came out early in the second half and looked more confident and inspired and wanted to get cracking with the second half and prove the Roy Hodgson why they deserve a place in the World Cup, Hodgson sat down looking rather exhausted from what was probably a very intense team-talk.

England came out of the blocks very early, which was similar to the first half and Rooney laid the ball off to the on-rushing Henderson who put everything into his shot to be denied by the post and the follow up was cleared by Greece's captain Giorgos Karagounis.

Then came the moment of magic, Rooney won the ball from a disappointing Greek corner, span the defender and advance forward putting everything into his run, he waited for support and saw Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian sprinting to his right, Rooney played the ball over a Greek defender and Chamberlain was onside, he still had much to do but hit the moving ball with curve and it swerved past Tzorvas and nestled into the top right hand corner to make it 1-0 England.

Composed: Young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain(above), showed the others how to finish with an exquisite curling shot past the in-form Alexandros Tzorvas.

Greece tried to push on but failed to register a single shot on Young Jack Butland's goal and England finished the game off strongly creating one final chance for it to only be put wide by Jack Wilshere, who had a disappointing day when it came to finishing.

England deserved this victory but were made to work hard for it, however this result will hopefully inspire them to perform better in future games, as they'll need to improve drastically if they want to stand a chance in progressing in the World Cup.

Roy Hodgson's Post Match Comments:

"We were lucky tonight to win the game, our finishing was below standards and the whole team know how disappointed I was after the first half. We played better in the second half but we should be winning these games comfortably. I hope to see a better performance from the team before the World Cup. I was impressed with Alex's goal, brilliant technique, and our solid defending, but we need to make sure we take all our chances and they will be limited when we play the bigger teams like Germany and Spain."

I love these updates! I love the match report element, and Hodgson's comments; Some great wins lately.

Nice result lad! Looking forward to the WC

Some great updates! If you're imitating Woy, you GOTTA play Taaaaaansend. he's Woy's love child

@LFC - Thanks mate! I'm glad your enjoying the story!
@Aaron - Yeah man, I literally can't wait to get started!
@Nick - Haha yeah, Townsend is out injured though, should be back before the WC.

Great updates and some great results too!

Some great results here mate; looking forward to seeing how you do at the WC