World Cup

March has come around. This only leaves 3 months until the 2010 South Africa World Cup kicks off. The World Cup is held every four years and I tend to get excited when it gets nearer.

For the first time in a number of tournaments, I feel England have a chance to do well. In previous World Cups, England have had a tumultuous set of qualifying matches. This time, under the management of Fabio Capello, England won 9 of their 10 qualifying matches and were the highest scorers in Europe. This coupled with what appears to be an easy group, should see England progressing into the last 16 and I am hoping for a final 4 appearance.

Japan have a much harder road ahead of them. Again, the first team to qualify for the World Cup, they face a tough group including Holland, Denmark and Cameroon. In the past Japan have only played Holland once and were defeated 3-0. Similarly they have only faced Denmark once and were defeated 3-2. Cameroon pose less of a threat with Japan winning 2 and drawing 1 of the games these two countries have played against each other. If Japan can continue the trend against Cameroon and can then pull of a good performance against Denmark, they could reach the second round. However if they do so they would most likely face Italy and I think their tournament would end there.

Despite living here in Japan for almost 7 years, I am still an English citizen and support England in the World Cup. However I will be watching the games that Japan are involved in and will be cheering for them so long as they are not playing England.

I hope both teams do well but I especially hope that England can bring home the title for only the second time in the tournament's history.