England arrive in South Africa
June 3rd, 2010 - 2:48 pm ICT by IANSJohannesburg, June 3 (DPA) England’s 23-strong World Cup squad landed in South Africa Thursday morning, where their arrival nudged excitement levels higher eight days before kick-off.
Fabio Capello’s men, led by talismanic striker Wayne Rooney, landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport shortly after 8 a.m.
With all the teams’ airport arrivals off-bounds, fans will have to wait for their first public training session to see the players in action.
England, ranked eighth in the world by FIFA, are going to be based in the north-western city of Rustenburg, about 160 kilometres from Johannesburg.
Their World Cup campaign begins on June 12, when they play the United States in Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium. England’s group C also includes Algeria and Slovenia.
England have not won the World Cup since taking the trophy on home soil in 1966.
Manchester United star Rooney struggled through the end of the club season with an ankle injury and a groin issue but the 24-year-old has said his couple of weeks away from the pitch could benefit the team.
- Capello has full squad for Germany clash - Jun 26, 2010
- Trio of injury worries for England - Jun 24, 2010
- Qaeda threat to keep football fans away from greeting World Cup teams in South Africa - May 27, 2010
- Capello warns Rooney to show respect to referees - Jun 12, 2010
- England look to Barry for inspiration against Algeria - Jun 17, 2010
- Capello looks for right World Cup mix for England (Group C team profile) - May 28, 2010
- Rooney blamed for World Cup disaster - Jul 04, 2010
- Goalkeeping blunder costs England victory over US (Lead) - Jun 13, 2010
- Rooney looks very tired, drained: Capello - May 16, 2010
- England dream of World Cup glory after landing plum draw - Dec 05, 2009
- Messi 'shocked' over England's great 'freeze' in World Cup - Jul 03, 2010
- Capello no role model for hothead Rooney - Jun 09, 2010
- Capello to take England squad to two altitude training camps in Austria - Dec 12, 2009
- Ferdinand to fly home after England's opening game against USA - Jun 07, 2010
- Algeria hold England to goalless draw - Jun 19, 2010
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