England vs Japan Preview: Last Chance To Impress Before the World Cup

The England players have just 90 minutes left to impress Fabio Capello enough to make it into his 23-man team for the World Cup.

Their last match was against Mexico at Wembley. There weren't any standout players who would definitely make it into the team, but there were a few players who played their way out of the squad.

It was their our and a half to shine, yet some played like they were having a kick about in the park.

This is their last game before the first group game against USA.

Vs Japan

Japan has won three of their last eight games. These were not the greatest wins either, as they were against Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Yemen.

The furthest they have been in the World Cup was the last 16 in 2002.

They are currently ranked 45th in the world, 37 places behind England.

Japan either didn't enter, didn't qualify, or were banned for the World Cup until 1998 in France.

England and Japan have never met in a competitive match, but have played two friendlies against each other.

The first took place at the old Wembley Stadium in 1995. England won 2-1 thanks to a David Platt penalty with just three minutes remaining.

In 2004, they met at Eastlands (Manchester City), where Michael Owen scored in a 1-1 draw.

This friendly takes in Austria, and will be the first time the two sides have met outside England.

Who will be chosen?

Capello has said that he already knows 20 out of his final 23 men.

There are ways in which certain players can get into the team...

Crouch—you are 6'7", you don't need to push up on people to jump.
Carrick—it's not rugby, you are allowed to pass it forward.
Heskey—...there's no hope.

Goalkeepers - James, Hart, Green

Defenders - Cole, Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry, Dawson, Johnson, Upson , King , Warnock , Baines.

Midfielders - Johnson, Milner , Gerrard, Carrick, Huddlestone, Cole, Lennon, Parker , Barry, Lampard, Wright Phillips, Walcott.

Strikers - Defoe, Rooney, Heskey , Crouch, Bent .

The players in bold are the one I believe will not be chosen.