England v Paraguay - Preview

Big talking England open with Paraguay

England launch their quest to win the World Cup for the first time in 40 years with a match against Paraguay here Saturday, determined to prove that hype equals substance.

Ever since the start of Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign five years ago, 2006 has been earmarked as the year when England will finally deliver in a World Cup.

Now the waiting is finally over for Eriksson and an England squad which is buzzing with confidence after the news that injured star Wayne Rooney is likely to be fit for the second round.

The set-piece threat of David Beckham, the dynamism of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, the goals of Michael Owen and the defending of John Terry have led to Eriksson's England being described as the strongest in decades.

Yet a stern warning emanated from England's idyllic Black Forest training camp this week in the words of defender Gary Neville, who reminded his colleagues that reputations count for nothing on the field of battle.

"The players have got great ability, but we've got no God-given right to win the tournament and let's face it, we have no recent history of winning tournaments," Neville said.

Little and Large

Of more concern to England is their determination to open Group B with a win. Anything less could leave them needing three points against Sweden -- who they have not beaten for 38 years -- in their final group match to advance.

While Rooney's injury led to Eriksson experimenting with different formations during the World Cup build-up, England are expected to revert to their tried and trusted 4-4-2 against Paraguay.

That means a start for the little-and-large strike-force of Peter Crouch and Owen. The emergence of the in-form Crouch, who scored four goals in the two matches against Hungary and Jamaica, has left Paraguay scrambling for a strategy to contain the ungainly but skilful 6ft 7in Liverpool striker.

Paraguay's respected Uruguayan coach Anibal Ruiz admitted that his side were more worried about dealing with Crouch than his partner Owen.

"Crouch is like nothing we have ever seen, particularly in terms of his aerial threat," said Ruiz. "He's obviously in very good form at the moment and we will have to make sure we deal with him.

"Owen, we know all about, and he is a proven goal-scorer, but Crouch has shown that he can be very difficult to deal with, so we must make sure we handle him."

In two matches, Paraguay have never beaten England, losing 3-0 in the 1986 World Cup, and being thumped 4-0 in the two side's most recent meeting in 2002.

Probable Teams

England

Robinson - G. Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, Ash. Cole - Beckham (cap.), Gerrard, Lampard, J. Cole - Crouch, Owen - coach : Sven-Goran Eriksson (SWE)

Paraguay

Villar - Caniza, Caceres, Gamarra (cap.), Toledo - Bonet, Acuna, Riveros, Paredes - Valdez, Santa Cruz - coach : Anibal Ruiz (URU)

Referee

M. Marco Rodriguez (MEX)