World Cup qualifiers on BT Vision
By Christopher Gibbons
This season Setanta Sports will be showing England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland World Cup 2010 qualifying matches exclusively live. Here’s a look at how the teams might fare in their quest to reach South Africa.
England
I’m a fan, should I book my ticket to South Africa?
Ok, so tempting fate where the England football team is concerned is about as wise as investing all your money in a company selling radiators made of butter. But Fabio Capello’s men really shouldn’t slip up this time round.
Who’s going to throw a spanner in the works?
During the Euro 2008 qualifiers Croatia threw the whole toolbox at England, but at least the Three Lions know what they’re dealing with this time. Ukraine might have concerned Fabio Capello’s men a couple of years ago, but these days Shevchenko and his ageing pals are more likely to trouble the mid-morning queue down at the local post office. Meanwhile, Belarus could cause England problems in Minsk, but Andorra and Kazakhstan stand about as much chance of winning as a badly-groomed guinea pig at a dog show.
Who’ll light up a dreary night in Eastern Europe?
Joe Cole is without doubt England’s most technically gifted player and if Fabio Capello can avoid hauling him off after an hour in favour of Phil Neville – a tactic favoured by Steve McClaren – his side might achieve more than a couple of fortunate 1-0 wins on the road.
England live on Setanta Sports:
Friendly: England v Czech Republic
Live 8pm, 20 August
World Cup 2010 qualifiers:
Andorra v England
Live 7pm, 6 September
Croatia v England
Live 8pm, 10 September
Belarus v England
Live 8pm, 15 October
Kazakhstan v England
Live 3pm, 6 June 2009
Scotland
I’m a fan, should I book my ticket to South Africa?
If they do qualify, you’d better be prepared for a short stay - Scotland have played in eight World Cups, but they’ve never progressed beyond the first round. It might be a wise move to pack some pickled herring – you could end up watching their Group Nine rivals Norway.
Who’s going to throw a spanner in the works?
Like the inside of a monkey’s cage, there are banana skins wherever you look. The flamboyant Dutch will obviously be the team to beat, and while Norway appear to be Scotland’s main rivals for the second qualification place, both Macedonia and Iceland are capable of an upset.
Who’ll light up a dreary night in Eastern Europe?
James McFadden has the ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat – his wonder-goal against France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers earned him the nickname "McGodden".
Scotland live on Setanta Sports:
World Cup 2010 qualifiers:
Macedonia v Scotland
Live 4:30pm, 6 September
Holland v Scotland
Live 3pm, 28 March 2009
Norway v Scotland
Live 8pm, 19 August 2009
Republic of Ireland
I’m a fan, should I book my ticket to South Africa?
Qualification won’t be easy for the Irish – you’d have to be a risk-taker called Evel O’Knievel to start planning your trip this early.
Who’s going to throw a spanner in the works?
While Italy will be favourites to rock the group eight main stage, Montenegro and Bulgaria, led by front man, Dimitar Berbatov, will be leading contenders to fill the support act slot. Ireland have got their work cut out.
Who’ll light up a dreary night in Eastern Europe?
Liverpool striker Robbie Keane hasn’t been in outstanding form for his country recently, but playing alongside Fernando Torres at club level could help improve his performances for the Irish. His goals will be crucial.
Republic of Ireland live on Setanta Sports:
World Cup 2010 qualifiers:
Bulgaria v Ireland
Live 8pm, 6 June 2009
Cyprus v Ireland
Live 8pm, 5 September 2009
Wales
I’m a fan, should I book my ticket to South Africa?
Unless Ian Rush and Mark Hughes are thinking of making their international comebacks, you’d probably be better off booking a flight to New Zealand to follow the rugby team’s test series against the All Blacks.
Who’s going to throw a spanner in the works?
While Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein are likely to put up about as much fight as a limbless pacifist, Finland could prove to be a tricky proposition for the Welsh. And with fixtures against heavyweights Germany and Russia also on the agenda, John Toshack’s side face an uphill battle to qualify.
Who’ll light up a dreary night in Eastern Europe?
Ryan Giggs might have retired, but in Gareth Bale, Wales have another left-footed wizard. In short, Bale is the most dangerous thing to come out of the Valleys since Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter.
Wales live on Setanta Sports:
World Cup 2010 qualifiers:
Russia v Wales
Live 3pm, 10 September
Azerbaijan v Wales
Live 8pm, 6 June 2009
Finland v Wales
Live 8pm, 10 October 2009
Northern Ireland
I’m a fan, should I book my ticket to South Africa?
Yes. Providing Pope John Paul II is listed as one of your idols, you have a grandmother who once visited Warsaw, you’re partial to a drop of Lech beer, or you have some other reason to switch allegiance to Poland for the duration of the 2010 World Cup.
Who’s going to throw a spanner in the works?
The Czech Republic and Poland are normally infallible when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments. And with tricky ties against Slovakia and Slovenia also on the calendar, Northern Ireland will need striker David Healy to fill the onion bag as frequently as he did in the Euro 2008 qualification campaign if they are to board the plane to South Africa. His goal tally will undoubtedly receive a boost against San Marino, whose defensive coach may well be related to Titus Bramble.
Who’ll light up a dreary night in Eastern Europe?
Rangers’ striker Kyle Lafferty is the hottest property in the Northern Irish team and at 6ft 4in, he’s not likely to get bullied by those mean Slavic centre-halves.
Northern Ireland live on Setanta Sports:
World Cup 2010 qualifiers:
Slovenia v Northern Ireland
Live 8pm, 11 October
Poland v Northern Ireland
Live 8pm, 5 September 2009