England's Group Opponents

by Michael Landon

England have been put into a relatively straightforward qualifying group with the USA representing the Three Lions’ biggest challenge in finishing top of the pile. Michael Landon assesses England’s opponents in Group C.

USA

Widely considered as England's biggest challenge in Group C, Bob Bradley's well drilled Stars and Stripes outfit is a mix of proven internationals and up-andcoming stars.

The USA will present England's opening challenge in the tournament, and likely a lot of familiar faces will be lining up against Capello's men in June. Star player is Los Angeles Galaxy star Landon Donovan (who had a loan stint with Everton this season), a player who usually saves his best for the national team.

Providing an impressive supporting cast are the likes of Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Tim
Howard, all of whom are plying their trade on European soil. The upcoming Finals will be the sixth that the USA have qualified for consecutively, and coach Bob Bradley will be expecting to emerge from Group C alongside England at the very least.

Algeria

Ranked 31st in the world, Algeria, on paper, should represent England's easiest challenge in the group stage. The Algerian squad lacks the quality required to have any serious ambitions of progression to the knock-out rounds.

Familiar faces include Portsmouth duo Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda, plus Madjid Bougherra, who plys his trade in the Scottish Premier League with Glasgow Rangers. Nicknamed 'The Desert Foxes', Algeria have never
progressed from the group stage in their history. However, a side that ousted African champions
Egypt in a World Cup qualification play-off will be treated with respect by England boss Fabio Capello.

Slovenia

A country of just two million people, Slovenia have punched above their weight to qualify. They will not be intimidated by the Three Lions though (England beat them narrowly 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley last year), and have emerged triumphant from a tough qualifying group at the expense of Poland and the Czech Republic.

If that was not warning enough, their World Cup play-off victory over mighty Russia certainly was. The best known player is Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic, who scored five times during the country's qualifying campaign.