World Cup 2010
International Football: The End of Year Report
2008 has been a hectic year in international football, so how do the big teams’ report cards read after the year’s final round of matches?
Road to South Africa - African Qualifying Draw
Mike Martin runs the rule over the African World Cup qualifying draw as 20 nations scrap for five slots.
Trapattoni’s Irish revival gathers pace
Jonathan O’Shea analyses Giovanni Trapattoni’s start to life as coach of Republic of Ireland.
Capello makes World Cup qualification look easy again
Fabio Capello’s reign began slowly but England have since shone in World Cup qualifying, a return to the days of Sven-Goran Eriksson when progressing into major tournaments was always a facile task.
The Midweek Melée
Mike Martin on England v Belarus, Fernando Torres’ injury while on Spain duty, why Turkey must be at World Cup 2010 and next year’s Uefa Under-21 European Championship.
The Monday Miscellany
Mike Martin on England’s excellent victory over Kazakhstan but has litte respect for the Wembley boo-boys, sees France coach Raymond Domenech hang onto his job, and observed how the preparations for World Cup 2010 are going.
The Monday Miscellany
Mike Martin bemoans the actions of Setanta and Danny Guthrie’s shocking tackle on Craig Fagan, reflects on England’s victory over an aging Croatia side, looks back at Luxembourg’s fantastic success over Switzerland, and asks whether Micah Richards really can play as a central defender.
Road to South Africa: World Cup 2010 Qualifying Round-Up
A review of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers across Europe over the last five days as France toil, England impress and Italy struggle, while there is good news for the continental minnows.
