Capello says England can win World Cup

London, Sep 10 (ANI): England coach Fabio Capello after watching his team crush Croatia 5-1 has said that now they can win the World Cup.

“If we can keep everyone fit and play with the spirit we showed against Croatia, then we can be real contenders. We are one of the best teams in the world and can play against all the sides out there,” said England’s boss.

Capello’s Lions made it to South Africa by crushing Slaven Bilic’s side at Wembley on Wednesday, The Sun reports.

“Expectations will be high in South Africa but we have to play to win it because we are England. We have achieved our first target and that is to get to the finals. Now we have time to prepare for the World Cup.

“All the players who have been selected in the squad are very good and I am a very happy man. The first 20 minutes of this game were the best we have played throughout qualification,’ Capello added.

Two goals each from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard plus Wayne Rooney’s ninth goal of the qualifying campaign gave England eight wins from eight games in Group Six.

Croatian boss Bilic admitted that his team was totally outclassed.

He said: “This was not a defeat, it was a humiliation. Not in our worst nightmares were we expecting such a defeat. Based on this performance, England can definitely win the World Cup next year. Definitely!” (ANI)

Bilic blasts Terry over his remarks on Eduardo’s diving affair

London, Sep 6(ANI): Croatian coach Slaven Bilic has blasted England skipper John Terry over his comments about the Eduardo diving affair, and said that he has known Eduardo for years, and he does not dive intentionally.

“John Terry is not talking like that when Didier Drogba goes down for Chelsea. I am not saying Drogba is a diver. I adore him as a player, but I’m saying when they get a penalty they’re not accusing their own team-mates,” The Sun quoted Bilic, as saying.

“If anyone knows him (Eduardo) I know him. He is no diver. He is a good guy, a sportsman, a professional and a role model of fair play. Sometimes he waits for a contact. Maybe it wasn’t a penalty against Celtic but you can’t say there was no contact,” he added.

Croatian and Arsenal striker Eduardo was banned for two matches by UEFA for alleged simulation to win a penalty in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Celtic in a Champions League qualifier.

Terry had said that the ban on Eduardo was harsh, adding that he think that Eduardo had dived which was something that English players don’t do due to their inherent honesty.

Bilic further said that the attack on Eduardo may be potential mind games to put pressure on him before Croatia’s World Cup qualifier against England.

“I don’t care why John Terry did this but it’s all part of the game. If we’re talking about 100 per cent fair play it’s also not fair play from Terry to say something like that before the game if he wants to put pressure on the referee,” Bilic said.

“That would not be fair play in the same sense as what he was saying about Eduardo, accusing a fellow professional of these things,” he added. (ANI)