England Squad against Japan: Friendly Match 2010

Fabio Capello announced the England squad for the upcoming friendly match against Japan in Graz, Austria on 30 May 2010. Capello even also named the eleven who would start against Japan, alongside 7 substitute players who would come off the bench.

Four out of the five players: David James John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole- who were not considered for the Mexico friendly following their involvement in the FA Cup final, have made it to the starting line up. Only Joe Cole was named among the substitutes.

The inclusion of Tom Huddlestone in the starting line up has come as a surprise as there were many who thought Capello would like to give a chance to West Ham’s Scott Parker who was not even used in the Mexico game. Coming on as a second half substitute for Carrick, Huddlestone played 28 minutes against Mexico and it seems that Capello wants to hand the Tottenham midfielder another chance.

As expectedly, Gareth Barry remains out for the Japan fixture as the holding midfielder still needs little more time to recuperate from the knee injury. Capello is , however, pretty much confident over the recovery of Barry and hinted that he would take a late decision on the involvement of the player in England’s World Cup 2010 mission.

The coach is now searching for a quality back up for Barry. After Carrick’s unimpressive show against Mexico, Huddlestone and Parker seemed to be the leading contenders. It seems that a good performance against Japan could earn the Spurs midfielder a place in England’s final line up for the World Cup ahead of Parker. However, Parker could be used as a substitute in the Japan game, and thus, giving him a chance to impress with his performance.

Capello has revealed that he already knows the 20 out of his final 23 and it seems the holding midfield is one of those few areas is yet to decide.

Another area Capello would have to decide is Rooney’s partner in attack. Rooney may play the deeper role with a forward up front or vice versa. The coach named Darren Bent in the first eleven alongside Rooney. Both the defenders were the top two English goal scorers in Premier league this season.

David James would be given the role in goal. Glen Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry and Ashley Cole make up England’s back four for the Japan game, and thus, giving a look of England’s first choice defense line up.

Interestingly, Aaron Lennon would be deployed on the left wing, though the Spurs man generally plays on the right wing, while Walcott will start on the left wing.

Lampard would play the creative role in the midfielder. Surprisingly Stephen Warnock has been included among the substitutes, even though he was uncertain for the game with his ankle injury.

Here are the first eleven and substitute line ups announced for the Japan match:

First Eleven

David James, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Theo Walcott, Tom Huddlestone, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent.

Substitutes

Joe Cole, Michael Dawson, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Warnock, Emile Heskey