FIFA World Cup 2010: England Boosted by Helpful Draw

So the wait is over and the draw is now complete. All we can do now is wait for the competition to begin.

England will be up against the USA, Algeria, and Slovenia in the group stage, as they aim to move out of Group C into the round of 16.

The draw could not have gone much better for England, who will be very happy to have avoided both Groups D and G, where Germany faces Australia and Ghana, and Brazil faces Portugal and the Ivory Coast respectively.

The draw means England will play only one group game at altitude, with their opening game against the USA taking place in Rustenburg, at an altitude of just over 1,000 meters, where the team are likely to be based.

The second two games will be at a more favourable altitude for England, with the games against Algeria and Slovenia to be held at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth respectively.  While the altitude will be no problem for England, the traveling might be, with their second and third games both set to take place far from the team's base.

England will be very confident of progressing, along with Spain and Italy, who also received favourable draws. As the top team in their group, they may face a much tougher challenge in the Round of 16, where they will face a team from Group D.

This is likely to put England up against Ghana. But with Group D being such a strong group, Germany, Australia, or Serbia could just as easily be England’s first knockout opponent.

The round of 16 is likely to provide at least one mouth-watering clash, with England-Germany, Spain-Brazil, Spain-Portugal, and Argentina-France as possible matchups. This is where the competition will really start to heat up.

The one positive England can take into their second round game will be, considering England wins the group, that the game is due to take place in Rustenburg, where Fabio Capello’s men are likely to be based. And although the Netherlands and Italy seemingly have the easiest route to the quarterfinals, England will certainly not be complaining, especially as they are likely to face the easiest route through to the semifinals.

The highlight of the draw for England fans will be this supposed easy route to the semifinals, with Ghana and France the most dangerous potential opponents in the second round and quarterfinals, while the like of the Netherlands, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Germany will all meet each other.

The route to the semifinals is also likely to keep England close to their base in Rustenburg, and although this will mean some extra games at high altitude, it may well be an advantage to have two group games at low altitude before having some practice at altitude prior to a sea level semifinal and then a return to altitude for the finals.

All of this is hypothetical of course, assuming that England keep winning, and progresses through the groups and right to the finals. 

With the leadership of Fabio Capello and a fully fit squad, this could be England’s best chance to make it all the way in a long time.