DAY 13 of the FAFA World Cup is day of ‘Do or Die’ for England team at Nelson Mandela Stadium of Port Elizabeth. The start looks good with 21st minute goal by Dafoe. Latest score is England 1-0 Slovenia. Their opponent for the mega event today is Slovenia, who outperformed England in recent past of their respective matches against Algeria and USA. But if we go by strengths England team is definitely more lethal, but they have to how lethal they are today.
Fabio Capello's men have to beat Slovenia in Port Elizabeth to be certain of qualifying for the last 16 in a tournament. They have to look beyond face-saving draws as they have shown against opening 1-1 draw against the USA and against Algeria. Slovenia will go into the game ruing their missed opportunity of taking two wins out of two, having gone 2-0 up against the US before half-time only to see their lead pegged back by Michael Bradley's equalizer eight minutes before time.
After Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King injuries Matthew Upson will start in defense, while Slovenians are waiting on the fitness of center-back Marko Suler. It would be interesting to watch Frank Lampard vs. Robert Koren clash. The more radical solution is to play Wayne Rooney in the role he performs for Manchester United as a lone striker, with Steven Gerrard behind. Slovenia tend to employ a straightforward 4-4-2 formation and can be expected to defend in two fairly rigid banks of four.
England Coach Fabio Capello is quite optimistic about the potential of the team, “After this game we have no more chances. We have to win. The results have not been good, but I haven't seen the right spirit on the pitch for 90 minutes, only for five or six minutes. I hope in the next game the spirit I saw in qualification will return.” On the othet hand Slovenian coach Matjaz Kek is self composed man, “Any national teams knows it is an honour to play England and it’s no different for us. After all, football was invented there. It’s a great stage to present and promote our beautiful country. ”
In all possibility Slovenia will opt for rather defensive 4-4-2 line up with S Handanovic; Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Kirm, Koren, Radosavljevic, Birsa; Ljubijankic, Novakovic Substitutes: J Handanovic, Seliga, Dzinic, Ilic, Filekovic, Mavric, Pecnik, Krhin, Komac, Stevanovic, , Matavz, Dedic.
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