2010 FIFA World Cup: Confessions Of an England Fan

6:30 a.m.—After an early night in anticipation for a day that requires energy, passion and the ability to be fully alert for the match, I awake.

Usually I use the sleeper on my alarm and push the actual get up time to 7 a.m. Today I do not. Although I am missing the match, I know I will catch the last 20 or so minutes.

7:55 a.m.—At work, there are already rumours that due to the kick off at three, we do not expect to be busy. Some people may be let home, and as I am one of the early starters, my team will get first choice. At that moment it is only a rumour, and we do not expect it to come to fruition.

12:45 p.m.—Lunchtime and Sky Sports News is switched on. It is perfect timing and the team is announced. Despite the lack of a Joe Cole start, the main news is Emile Heskey out and Jermain Defoe brought in.

The match is winnable. The team, as a result, can be given the energy and drive to perform at a world-class level.

1:30 p.m.—We get the news. We are over-staffed at work. With no one expected to call in during the match, we are given notice that some of us are allowed to go home. At first there is uncertainty as to who it will be. I have to ask management. A joke is made about why I want to go home early. People think I am not into football. Wrong!

2:00 p.m.— I am on my way. Walking through Manchester city centre, the buzz can be felt with a mass of England shirts. I am already beyond hyper. Pizza and ice cream is a necessity.

2:35 p.m.— With 25 minutes to spare, the coverage is on. The teams are being announced, as are the expected formations. The pundits for BBC expect Steven Gerrard to be in the centre. Alas, he is to play on the left.

2:55 p.m.—Matthew Upson is louder than the rest through the national anthem. In two hours time, the day could go one way or the other. Will it be misery in a large dose, or a bout of ultimate ecstasy? Let’s see, shall we.

2:59 p.m.—FIFA Delay—The match cannot start until dead on 3 p.m.
There is a nervous start by England as a couple of misjudgements by Glen Johnson keeps the ball in England’s half. The defender is then lucky to get away without a yellow card after two early tackles.

3:09 p.m.—Johnson redeems himself with a beautiful long ball that almost sets Wayne Rooney up for a cross into Steven Gerrard.

3:14 p.m.—Rooney is brought down 35 yards from goal. Frank Lampard takes the free kick and gets the first shot on goal. The Slovenian keeper comfortably saves it.

One minute later, Rooney put the ball through to Lampard, who misses the opportunity. In the first 15 minutes, England displayed more optimistic and promising play than what was seen in the entire bore war against Algeria.

3:18 p.m.—Rooney finds himself in a goal-scoring position. It is a corner that dips past goal and off a Slovenia boot for another corner.

3:19 p.m.—Johnson has a shot at goal. It is another chance and affords us the further opinion that England will dominate. They do seem to be under the impression, however, that the Slovenian keeper will make a Rob Green-style mistake.

3:20 p.m.—Slovenia is up the other end and England has to force it out for a corner. A good save from David James keeps the score line 0-0.

3:22 p.m.—GOAL! A cross in reaches Defoe for a welcome tap in. Capello, why did you not put this player on when you had the chance?

A couple of minutes earlier, the commentator mentioned the lack of goals scored by Defoe and Rooney when they had played together. Defoe now has a delicious dozen for England.

3:26 p.m.—A good cross from James Milner almost sets up a second for England. Sadly the rebound falls to Lampard and he strikes it miles over the target.

Is this going to be a comfortable win? At this moment in time, lets hope so.

USA needs to stay level with Algeria for us to win the group. Either that or England can score again. No one would be opposed to that happening!

3:28 p.m.—Another small opportunity—the ball falls to Gerrard but he cannot keep hold of it.

3:29 p.m.—The ball falls to Defoe who smacks it with some force. It recovers to Gerrard who almost edges the Slovenian keeper into an error.

3:36 p.m.—A brilliant cross from Milner almost sees a goal as Miso Brecko hits it out for a corner.

3:39 p.m.—The game has slowed in pace and the ball is given away in England’s half. This causes a scare until the ball emerges up the other end and Defoe nearly gains a chance on goal.

3:40 p.m.—The referee brandishes a first card against Bojan Jokic. This is his first card in any of his England-covered matches.

3:41 p.m.—Slovenia’s best chance of the match. A free kick deflects off the wall and bounces dangerously high. Contact with the ball from James puts it away from the goalmouth. Just a reminder that England is not yet cruising to this win.

3:45 p.m.—Halftime. This is the first half we all wanted. What a difference a goal makes. Jermain Defoe we salute you. Emile Heskey is already a distant memory.  The team is playing with such fluid movement and concise passing. In the words of Ant & Dec: “we’re on the ball.”

4:00 p.m.—Here we go again.

Straight from the kick off a careless corner is given away by Slovenia. This quickly taken corner kick ends up with the ball into Defoe’s direction. Almost an electric restart but Defoe doesn't get much on it. More goals do immediately look forthcoming.

4:02 p.m.—Johnson gets a yellow card for absolutely nothing. The referee won’t be helping Anglo-German relationships with that decision as Johnson is brought down right outside the box. Many were expecting an England free kick.

4:04 p.m.—After some classy first-time passing the goal is in the back of the net. It is however offside as Rooney’s flick for a Defoe tap-in is disallowed for offside. Even though the whistle was blown seconds before the tap-in, it doesn't stop a few cheers from watching and oblivious England fans.

4:05 p.m.—Immediately, up the other end, James has to halt a bouncing ball that lands right on the goal line.

Real end-to-end football ensues as Rooney isn't tall enough to reach a clever pass into the penalty area.

4:06 p.m.—There are slight concerns as Slovenia gains a free kick with ease. My mind flashes back to their second half against the USA. They got away with murder in that game.

James sees the free kick early enough though. There appears to be no chance for Slovenia with the master in goal.

4:08 p.m.—Gerrard should have had a shot in front of goal as Slovenia is dispensed. He passes it to Rooney, who cannot make much of it. White shirts are constantly surrounding him.

4:10 p.m.—England gets a free kick as Lampard goes down easily. It’s only fair with all the free kicks that Slovenia is getting out of nothing. Seriously, is this what their manager told them to do at halftime?

4:12 p.m.—An awesome save by the Slovenian keeper as Terry nearly adds his name to the scoresheet with a header.

4:13 p.m.—It is really not Rooney’s World Cup. A ball comes cleanly through and he hits the post with a man-on-man shot. More goalmouth action before Slovenia almost attacks on the counter.

4:14—Rooney shows his frustration by taking a shot from long distance.

4:19 p.m.—The keeper catches a deep cross from Lampard. A second goal is required as we find out that USA has just hit the post against Algeria. England’s group win is not confirmed.

4:20 p.m.—Slovenia makes nothing of a shot on goal—straight into James’s hands. Any other team might have put that in the back of the net and sent England packing. Hopefully there will be no further anxious moments like that.

4:22 p.m.—Gareth Barry sets English fans into neurotic panic. A potential Slovenia goal is saved by England's defense.

Obviously my telepathic thoughts of a second goal are not being heard!

4:27 p.m.—After limping a few minutes earlier, Rooney is substituted. Joe Cole replaces him and the news is met with a rapturous response from the England faithful.

4:37 p.m.—Defoe puts pressure on the keeper by stamping out a goal kick outside of the penalty area. Amazing how a small man can be so intimidating.

4:39 p.m.—Heskey might be coming on. What?! At least England doesn’t need to score to go ahead this time. “We all wish it could be a little more comfortable for England,” says the commentator. Too right.

4:40 p.m.—It is happy days as Slovenia wastes an opportunity from a corner. A shot is fired that would hit the bird from the Algeria game who is now steering well clear of England’s target.

4:42 p.m.—A set piece for Slovenia causes concern. England doesn’t get it out straight away. Under normal circumstances, the clearance would have seemed a lot shorter in its occurrence. 

4:45 p.m.—Upson saves the day as Slovenia almost comes through on goal. My heart just skipped a beat. There are three minutes of extra time but the torture will carry on longer with USA and Algeria kicking off three minutes late in the second half.

4:48 p.m.—YES! England is through. The crowd burst into euphoria. My stomach is back in its rightful place. It is onwards and upwards now surely.

That is until we find out that the USA have just hit the net. England will be runners up in Group C. Germany may await. Oh boy!

Slovenian hearts must be broken—that double blow in such a short amount of time means they are out of the World Cup.

16.50 I am reminded that any of the four teams in Group D can emerge victorious. Come on Australia then!