Abu Dhabi: England is hungrier than any
other country and it would be the toughest challenge of his
life to take the side in the football World Cup finals in
South Africa in June-July, feels manager Fabio Capello.
England have been drawn along with the USA, Algeria and
Slovenia in Group C at the finals starting on June 11 and
Capello has set a semifinal target for the team.
"All teams are hungry to win the World Cup but England is
hungrier than anybody. It has been a challenge to be the
manager of the England team but I like the challenge and I
think taking the team to the World Cup finals will be the
toughest challenge of my life," Capello told reporters at the
Laureus World Sports Awards here.
"I try to win always and our focus would be to beat the
best teams and reach the semifinals atleast. We have some good
players, we believe we are at the same level as other teams
and we can beat them," he added.
The Italian considered star striker Wayne Rooney as one
of the best footballers in the world, at par with Argentine
striker Lionel Messi and Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Messi and Rooney are among best footballers. Messi is
fast and imaginative, while Rooney is strong. I feel Rooney,
Messi and Ronaldo are current best players," he said.
With the World Cup being hosted in South Africa for the
first time, Capello feels one of the African teams can spring
a surprise in the quadrennial event.
"I think one of the African teams like Ghana, Ivory Coast
and Nigeria will create something surprising."
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 21:35