FFS, already an England match!

[Guest]

Absolutely ridiculous to pencil in a friendly just days before the Premier league kicks off. Cunts.

BBC SPORT
Capello opts against Owen recall

England coach Fabio Capello opted against a recall for striker Michael Owen as the Italian named his squad for Wednesday's friendly against Holland.

Manchester United forward Owen last played for England in the friendly defeat by France nearly 18 months ago.

"He has to play well and score goals," said Capello. "The door is open."

There was also no place for Peter Crouch, with Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe and Carlton Cole the four strikers in the 23-man squad.

The 29-year-old Owen, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, moved to the Premier League champions last month in a surprise transfer after an unproductive spell with Newcastle United.

But he has been a peripheral figure under Capello, last playing in March 2008.

"I think it is a fantastic chance for Owen to play another time with a really important team and in the Champions League," added Capello, referring to Owen's move to United.

"It is another chance and that is really important for the player."

When asked if he believed Owen could rediscover the form of his England heyday, Capello said: "He is young, he is only 29. He is not old, so why not?"

First-choice goalkeeper David James was left out due to a knee injury.

With James absent, United's Ben Foster, West Ham United's Robert Green and Blackburn Rovers' Paul Robinson will compete for the goalkeeper position.

Following seven successive qualifying wins, England are on the cusp of playing in the World Cup next summer in South Africa, while Holland, who have also notched up seven victories, are assured of a place in the 2010 finals.

After playing Holland, Capello's England play Slovenia in a friendly on 5 September, before facing Croatia in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on 9 September.

England squad for 12 August friendly against Holland: Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Manchester United), Robert Green (West Ham United), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers) Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United) Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa) Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe(Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8191834.stm

Published: 2009/08/08 19:39:21 GMT

© BBC MMIX

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[Aza]

Pathetic

[Craig_H]

Absolute ****ing stupidity.

Typical cretinous FA.

[Baracus]

This does no football club or player any good. Money making at its best.

Same for the Dutch players in our team.

[Reece]

Why the surprise. They do this every season

[Guest]

Forgot about last season already. It's just a farce as players are busy coming to back fitness and preparing for the season opener with their clubs, why do it NOW???? It used to be 3 or 4 weeks INTO the season some years ago.

[Craig_H]

Why the surprise. They do this every season

3 days before the PL starts? I dont remember it happening previous years. Maybe it's just my memory though.

[Exiled_red]

3 days before the PL starts? I dont remember it happening previous years. Maybe it's just my memory though.

It's usually about 2 or 3 weeks into the season isn't it?

[Neil Young]

It's usually about 2 or 3 weeks into the season isn't it?

There's always an international match in the first week of September and this season is no exception.

[Parm]

I know man, just idiotic

[dww]

Absolute ****ing stupidity.

Typical cretinous FA.

I'm not sure it is cretinous from them really. It is an official international date with competitive internationals on it so a lot of players from the PL would be off any way with other associations. The FA has to make money and this is an ideal time for them to do it.

FIFAs international calendar has a lot of problems but it's not like creating one that suits all countries is an easy task.

[Craig_H]

I'm not sure it is cretinous from them really. It is an official international date with competitive internationals on it so a lot of players from the PL would be off any way with other associations. The FA has to make money and this is an ideal time for them to do it.

FIFAs international calendar has a lot of problems but it's not like creating one that suits all countries is an easy task.

How much are they making from an away game? And how much is it costing them to send everyone over on their private jet?

If it was a home game, with all the gate receipts, then fair enough.

[Guest]

How much are they making from an away game? And how much is it costing them to send everyone over on their private jet?

If it was a home game, with all the gate receipts, then fair enough.

[Assassin]

Meaningless game, recipe for disaster for the players and clubs. They have endured many weeks of tough training in readiness for the start of the season and a few days before they have to go on a "jolly" to please the gin swilling lushs in the incompetent FA.

[Reece]

Manchester City have admitted that they forgot to tell the Football Association of Wales that striker Craig Bellamy would not be joining up with his international team-mates for Wednesday's friendly against Montenegro. Officials were left bemused by his non-appearance. (Various)

Made me chuckle