England has QUALIFIED for 2006 World Cup

arthur8088

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England will play in next summer's World Cup, with results elsewhere ensuring their participation in Germany in 2006.

Holland's triumph over Czech Republic, coupled with England's win over Austria ensured that Sven Goran Eriksson's side are guaranteed a place in Germany 2006, as either one of the best runners up or, should they beat Poland on Wednesday, as a group winners.

The news will be a welcome relief for under fire England boss Eriksson, who watched his side scrape to a 1-0 victory but at the expense of captain David Beckham who was sent off.

Although England will look to get through a period of dreadful form, including two lacklustre 1-0 wins against Wales and Austria and a dismal defeat to Northern Ireland, with victory over Poland - it is no longer crucial to their qualification.

Holland beat Czech Republic 2-0 away from home, with Rafael van der Vaart and Barry Opdam likely to have made themselves popular figures in the England dressing room.

Swedish tactician Eriksson was thrilled with the news.

"Of course, I'm delighted," he said. "I didn't expect it to come so early. I expected us to have to beat Poland. But we now know we have qualified, which is fantastic.

"I'd like to thank the players, who have been absolutely brilliant. We know that we didn't perform well against Northern Ireland but today was fantastic and now we are at the World Cup.

"The tension for Wednesday's game will obviously now be much less.

"I know we have struggled this season but today I was very pleased. I know that in Germany, if we don't get too many injuries, we could do very well."

Eriksson's skipper Beckham added: "It's great. The lads are jumping around. It's nice to get through and it would be good to win the game on Wednesday and win the group.

"This team has stuck together, the manager has stuck by the players and we've got our just desserts tonight.

"There has been some criticism but we've taken it on the chin, got on with it and now we have qualified.

"Hopefully we can go all the way in Germany. If I didn't believe that, it would be wrong for me to be captain, but I genuinely believe it."




Oh mate....I'm so delighted they are one of the best runners-up.....and now the match VS Poland suddenly became meaningless....

2 teams can qualify through the world cup as the best runners-up

[ Last edited by arthur8088 on 2005-10-9 at 07:22 AM ]