Posted on 06/10/2006 5:54:26 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
One of the most fancied teams in Germany, England will open their FIFA World Cup™ campaign against Group B rivals Paraguay today -- LIVE NOW on ABC: England v Paraguay
soccer ping
Soccer ping?...Yikes!
Head-to-heads
England and Paraguay have met each other twice before. In 1986, England won 3-0 at the second round stage of the World Cup in Mexico. Gary Lineker scored twice and Peter Beardsley got the other. In 2002, England beat Paraguay 4-0, this time in a friendly international.
Team facts - England
The 1966 World Cup winners are taking part in the World Cup for the 12th time. Four years ago England reached the quarter-finals in which they were eliminated by the eventual champions Brazil.
England have only failed to progress from the group stage on two occasions, in 1950 and 1958.
Team facts - Paraguay
This is Paraguay's seventh World Cup, and third in a row. It's the first time they've qualified for three successive World Cup finals.
Paraguay have reached the last 16 in their last three participations. After their loss to England in the quarter-finals in 1986, the South Americans fought an heroic battle with hosts France in 1998 only to fall to an extra-time 'golden goal' by Laurent Blanc. In 2002, they lost in the second round to Germany, 1-0.
Player facts - England
David Beckham, Gary Neville and Michael Owen are the most capped players in England's squad with 87, 79 and 77 caps respectively. Sol Campbell and Michael Owen can become the first English players since 1990 to have played 10 World Cup matches if they make an appearance against Paraguay. Peter Shilton is England's record holder with 17 World Cup appearances.
Theo Walcott could become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup. Should he play on 10 June, Walcott will be 17 years and 86 days old, only 45 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside. If Walcott scores, he will be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days.
Player facts - Paraguay
Carlos Gamarra and Roberto Acuna are Paraguay's most capped players with 106 and 93 caps respectively. The pair, along with Denis Caniza, can become the only Paraguay players to have been involved in nine World Cup matches if they make an appearance against England.
Jose Montiel can become Paraguay's youngest ever player at the World Cup. He will be 18 years and 83 days old on 10 June. Montiel can also enter the top 10 of youngest players at a World Cup.
Miscellaneous Info
England have won every match that Peter Crouch has appeared in. Since he made his debut in 2003, England have played without Wayne Rooney on 10 occasions and did not lose a single match, winning nine and drawing one.
Paraguay have received a red card in their last two World Cup matches. In their last group match in 2002 against Slovenia, Carlos Parades was sent off after 22 minutes. In the subsequent second round against Germany, Roberto Acuna received a red card in injury time.
Come on England!
I've got my England jersey on! And it's pretty fancy let me tell you ;)
Teams
England:
1 Paul Robinson; 3 Ashley Cole, 5 Rio Ferdinand, 2 Gary Neville, 6 John Terry; 7 David Beckham, 11 Joe Cole, 4 Steven Gerrard, 8 Frank Lampard; 21 Peter Crouch, 10 Michael Owen.
Paraguay:
1 Justo Villar; 5 Julio Cesar Caceres, 21 Denis Caniza, 4 Carlos Gamarra, 3 Delio Toledo; 10 Roberto Acuna, 6 Carlos Bonet, 13 Carlos Paredes, 16 Cristian Riveros; 9 Roque Santa Cruz, 18 Nelson Valdez.
Woo hoo! Thanks for the ping. Still reeling over the fact that Equador beat Poland. Germany/Costa Rica - what a start!!!
We do have over 100 people on the soccer ping list.
Please take your sarcastic comments elsewhere. Thanks.
England has underperformed at the cup. They need to come out strong here and go for an early goal or this one could be an upset. Poland was supposed to beat Ecuador yesterday. We shall see in just a minute.
Gotta say, I love the U2 spots...the ivory coast one gets the blood flowing.
Dudette...you PINGED me...
DAAAAAAVID BEEEECKHAM!!!!!!
Good start. Own goal by Paraguay!
LOL.
Looks like Wembley.
An own goal after a Beckham freekick. Good start for England!
If only I were there.
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