Defoe ready to be penalty hero

WORLD CUP:

Jermain Defoe is ready to become England's World Cup penalty hero against Germany on Sunday.

England tackle their old rivals in Bloemfontein bidding to book a place in the quarter–finals.

Although Defoe is keen to get the job done inside 90 minutes, the history of combat with Germany suggests England might end up taking part in a penalty shoot–out, which they have always managed to lose.

The Three Lions are determined it will be different this time around and Fabio Capello has had his team practising from the moment they first got together in Austria over five weeks ago.

Though Defoe's recent record for Tottenham isn’t great – he has missed six of the last 11 – he is ready for the challenge.

"We have been practising pretty intensely. If you miss you are going to get a little bit of banter, but most of the pressure is in the mind,” he said


England coming to boil – Capello

FABIO Capello believes England are hitting top form at just the right time.

After a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign, the Three Lions finally produced a performance to be proud of on Wednesday.

A single-goal defeat of Slovenia may not quite set the tournament alight, but it did include passages of play when England were able to play at the high tempo which boss Capello recognises few can match.

And with Germany to come in Bloemfontein on Sunday, the Italian hopes his players are hitting their peak at the perfect moment.

"Against Slovenia we did really very well in every area of the pitch," said Capello. The positions we took up were very good.

“We won back the ball and played quickly. The passing was dangerous and we switched the ball quickly.

"In the other games we lost the ball a lot but this time we managed to keep hold of it. Overall I am very happy."

How much part Wayne Rooney plays in the build–up is debatable.

The Manchester United striker has struggled in South Africa and does not look to be over the ankle injury he sustained on Champions League duty.

England have stressed their belief that Rooney will be available to face Germany, although how much training he does in the meantime is debatable.

However, given it is inconceivable that Capello would contemplate leaving Rooney out, few changes are expected against Germany.


Sven backs England

Former England manager Sven–Goran Eriksson is backing Fabio Capello's men to beat Germany this weekend.

Eriksson was in charge when England famously thrashed Germany 5–1 in World Cup qualifying in 2001.

Ahead of the rivals meeting in Bloemfontein on Sunday, he said: "I think they can beat Germany and that will be a big game, of course, a huge game."