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Capello expects victory

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 05/06/2009

The nation expects a win and head coach Fabio Capello has demanded the same when England travel to Almaty for a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Last weekend's FA Cup Final may have brought down the curtain on another season of Premier League action, but England's leading players can't look forward to their summer breaks just yet.

After Kazakhstan is the visit of Group Six whipping boys Andorra to Wembley on Wednesday as England look to maintain their 100 per cent qualification record on the road to South Africa 2010 - where they hope to be among the sportsbook favourites for glory.

Five wins from five games have left England five points clear of nearest challengers Croatia at the top of the table and two wins over perceived weaker opposition would see Capello's side take a giant stride towards qualification.

"For me the most important thing is to win," claimed the Italian in the build-up to the trip to Kazakhstan.

"It is my philosophy to win and in this period it is very important that we win and score six points."

England have every reason to believe they will claim three of those on Saturday as they were 5-1 winners over the Kazakhs at Wembley back in October.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, one each from Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe plus an own goal wrapped up a comprehensive victory.

Such was the straightforward nature of the victory that the game was somewhat forgotten in the media frenzy of David Beckham equaling Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 106 caps for an outfield player.

England are as low as 1/6 on in the betting odds to brush Kazakhstan aside yet again, but Capello has warned against post-season complacency from creeping into his squad.

Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard made 51 and 56 appearances respectively during the recently completed season, while striker Wayne Rooney turned out 49 times for Manchester United.

But despite the demands placed on the modern-day player, Capello has called for a final push in the next four days to edge England even closer to World Cup qualification.

"We knew right from the start of the season that we had these games," said Capello.

"We have to keep our heads together to make sure we end the season right. We have to be up for these games."

Capello's preparations have not been without their problems though as goalkeeper David James and Ben Foster after absent following post-season surgeries.

The recalled Paul Robinson, Robert Green of West Ham and Wigan Athletic's Chris Kirkland will contest the vacant number one jersey.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has been replaced by James Milner of Aston Villa with a foot injury and joins club-mates Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown, plus Everton defender Phil Jagielka on the sidelines.

Ferdinand has also pulled out of the squad for the double-header with a recurrence of a long-standing calf problem.

However, Kazakhstan could provide a milestone for Gary Neville after the veteran Manchester United defender was handed a surprise recall by Capello.

Neville's international career had appeared over after 20 months in the wilderness, but he will now equal Kenny Sansom's full-back record of 86 caps should he feature either on Saturday or against Andorra next week.

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