Team Profiles -S-Sarad Shrestha

Format Team Information Road To Poland/Ukraine History in the Tournament Manager Key Player 23- Man Squad List Probable Formation and Starting XI Expectation Fixtures

England – Group D

Team Information England head into every maj0r tournament with enormous expectation from the fans and the media undeservedly tag the English Team as “favourites”, which they have never been able to justify with their performance being woeful in the recent international tournaments. However this Euro 2012 the expectation among the fans and the media has been significantly lowered due to the preparation being hampered by the sudden resignation of Fabio Capello just few months before the finals and the strength of the squad looking painfully weak compared to the likes of Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal. However, lower expectation can work in the favour of the Three Lions as they do not have to carry the unnecessary burden of favourites on their shoulders and they will finally be able to perform without pressure in the big stage. Having been placed in a tough group containing France, Sweden and co - hosts Ukraine making it to the next round will be anything but straight forward. The defence looks good under the capable hands of Joe Hart and Chelsea trio of Ashley Cole, Gary Cahill and John Terry. With the midfield containing Scott Parker, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard looks solid rather than spectacular. Their ageing legs could prove to be a barrier though. Wingers Theo Walcott and Ashley Young can be explosive on their day but are not consistent enough at the world stage. The biggest concern for the fans will have to be the suspension of Wayne Rooney for the first two group games. There are not many who believe, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe or Danny Welbeck will be able to fill the boots of Rooney. They have capable back-up in the form of Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing and Phil Jones. Hodgson will certainly be hoping teenager Alex Oxlade Chamberlain can prove to be a X-factor his team as he is pretty much an unknown quantity outside of England. If everyone is able perform to their best then they should be able go through from the group stage and anything good that happens afterwards should be considered a bonus.

Road To Poland & Ukraine Group G P W D L GD PTS England Montenegro Switzerland Wales Bulgaria Date Opponent Result 3/8/2010Bulgaria (H) 4-0 (W) 7/8/2010Switzerland (A) 1-3 (W) 12/9/2010Montenegro (H) 0-0 (D) 26/3/2011Wales (A) 0-2 (W) 4/6/2011Switzerland (H) 2-2 (D) 2/8/2011Bulgaria (A) 0-3 (W) 6/8/2011Wales (H) 1-0 (W) 7/9/2011Montenegro (A) 2-2 (D)

History In The Tournament Year Position 1960Did Not Enter 1964Did Not Qualify 1968Third Place 1972Did Not Qualify 1976Did Not Qualify 1980Group Stage 1984Did Not Qualify 1988Group Stage 1992Group Stage 1996Semi Finalists 2000Group Stage 2004Quarter Finals 2008Did Not Qualify

Manager After the sudden resignation of Fabio Capello, it was widely expected that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp would be appointed the next England manager. He was the favourite to take the hot seat among the media and the fans as well. So, a lot of eyebrows were raised when West Brom manager Roy Hodgson was the only candidate interviewed for the post by the English FA and eventually appointed. Hodgson was not the most popular choice by any means and being handed the ‘impossible job’ just 2 months before the actual tournament was hardly ideal. It is believed that expectations among the fans to win the Euro 2012 tournament have been considerably lowered since his appointment and his 23-man squad selection has failed to create any excitement. However, Roy Hodgson is a very experienced manager who has coached sixteen teams in eight different countries. He is an astute tactician and fans will certainly be hoping he can get the best out of the average England side he has been entrusted with. He has a very good track with getting the best out of limited resources as he has proven with Fulham and West Bromwich. So, there is some optimism that he can do well. Given that he was handed a 4-year contract the English FA have appointed him with a view to the future, he is not under huge pressure to produce instant results. But a good showing won’t hurt in winning over the fans and will certainly keep his doubters quiet. Winning the tournament seems a step to far but reaching the semis should be a target in his mind.

Key Player With Wayne Rooney missing for the first two games of the group stages, Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has to be considered the key player for England. Given that the goalkeeper has to be considered the key player says a lot about the strength of the current national team. Joe Hart is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has had a magnificent season for Manchester City, contributing massively in helping the Citizens win their first league title in 44 years. Hart is an imposing figure at 6’5 who transmits confidence to his defenders. He has all the abilities that you look for in a keeper and does not have any obvious weakness. He is the undisputed No. 1 for between the sticks for the Three Lions. England will certainly have to rely on his heroics if they are to have a chance of winning the tournament or at least putting up a good show.

23-Man Squad Goalkeepers Joe Hart (Manchester City), Rob Green (West Ham United), Jack Butland (Birmingham City) Defenders Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea) Midfielders Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United) Forwards Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United)

Probable Formation & Line - Up

Expectation Semi Finals No one expects England to do well and this is not without a reason. The squad looks mediocre at best and many questions have been raised whether Roy Hodgson will be able to the handle the pressure managing England. The best they can expect is a semi-finals finish. They may be able to surprise some people but the signs do not look good and winning the tournament looks improbable at this moment of time.

Fixtures DateTimeOpponent Monday, June 11 th 17:00 (BST) France Friday, June 15 th 19:45 (BST) Sweden Tuesday, June 19 th 19:45 (BST) Ukraine