England vs Switzerland Friendly 2008: Preview and Live Score

If you want to get the online live score and updates of England vs Switzerland friendly match then visit the following links:

England vs Switzerland: Live Score and Live Updates

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England and Switzerland are going to face each other in a friendly match at the Wembley stadium on next Wednesday. The match is now the center of all attention among the football fans. This is going to be the fist match of England under their new coach Fabio Capello. So, England must try their best to start the Capello reign with an inspirational victory over Switzerland. The seemingly insignificant friendly match is very important for both sides, but for different reasons.

The Significance of the England vs Switzerland Match

For England, this is the first international match since their heart-breaking defeat to Croatia at the Wembley stadium last year in the last match of the EURO 2008 qualifying round. With that defeat England lost their last chance to win a place in the final competition of EURO 2008. So, it is almost clear that England has to get over their patchy form at this level in order to keep their place as a football power house. What is more, England must try to get back in the right track and get their form back before their world cup qualifying campaign begins from September this year.

Switzerland, on the other hand, is not under that much pressure and does not have loads of goals ahead of the match. Actually, Switzerland is one of the co-host of EURO 2008 along with Austria. So, Switzerland got automatic entry in the competition, set to start from 7 June 2008. Switzerland did not have to play qualifying round matches and thus, they are considering the friendly match against England as a rehearsal of EURO 2008. So, it is apparent that how much importance the match has to Switzerland. So, a victory at Wembley would be more than what they could even dream of ahead of the match.

Timing and Schedule of England vs Switzerland Friendly Match 2008

There are many who are now eager to know the timing of the match. For those passionate fans, here I am giving the timing of the match:

Date: 6 February 2008, Wednesday

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England

Kick off time: 8pm (20:00 GMT)

Stadium Open for Entrance: 6pm (18:00 GMT)

Well, if you are interested to attend at the Wembley stadium and want to know information about tickets and travel to the stadium then click here.

England vs Switzerland Head to Head

England has better record against Switzerland. England won 12 out of their 19 previous meetings. The last time the two sides met was in EURO 2004 in Portugal with England winning 3-0 very easily in which Wayne Rooney scored twice and Steven Gerrard once. However, their last meeting on England soil way back to EURO 1996 opening match was ended up with a 1-1 draw. So, England must try to clinch a victory over Switzerland at their home soil. Switzerland, in the same way, will seek to revenge of they defeat to England four years back in EURO 2004 competition. So, both teams will be looking to win the match this time around.

England vs Switzerland Friendly 2008: England Squad

Fabio Capello named a 30-man provisional squad for the friendly match against Switzerland on Thursday, in which he came up with some surprises including some notable absentees like David Beckham. He named two new faces in the squad: Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies and Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. Capello cut short the squad to 23 on Saturday with seven players being overlooked within 48 hours.

England’s 23-man squad includes three goal keepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and four strikers. Though there was not any big surprise except the exclusion of high profile Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick. However, overall Fabio Capello was fully criticized for not including former captain David Beckham in the squad.

The Omission of David Beckham Widely Criticized

Daivd Beckham was eagerly waiting for his call up for the friendly match that would have been his 100^th cap for England national team. However, the former skipper has been opted out of the provincial squad on the match fitness ground. He was out of competitive football since November last year as it was the off season of his club L.A. Galaxy in Major League Soccer of America. That was the reason behind his exclusion form the squad, according to Coach Fabio Capello. He said:

"The reason that David is not in the squad is because he has not had any real match practice since playing in November," Capello said. "When I spoke with David on the phone yesterday, I advised him that he is still part of my plans and once he is playing regularly in America we will look closely at him again."

Beckham was practicing with the reserve team of Arsenal during this time hoping to impress England boss to win his 100^th cap. Now, Beckham has to prove himself playing for Galaxy in order to win his place in England team when MLS season starts. However, the English media, fans, former players and premier league managers almost all the disappointed with the decision of Capello over the exclusion of David Beckham. Galaxy fans are also unhappy with Beckham being excluded from the match. Even the sponsors of FA (Football Association) are not happy as they were interested to see Beckham play their 100^th match for England.

The Notable Absentees from England Squad

Besides David Beckham, there were some more notable absentees in the squad. To begin with, goal keeper Paul Robinson’s omission from the 30-man squad came as a surprise to many. Tottenham Hotspur goal keeper has had 41 appearances with England national team. Then West Ham United goal keeper, Robert Green’s omission was also unexpected to many as he has been in good form so far this season.

Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell was also overlooked in the squad. He played 73 matches for England team. Philip Neville of Everton was expected to make it to the squad, but could not impress Fabio Capello. Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick was notable absentee from the 23-man squad.

Injury Woe for England Squad

England has found injury as another opponent other than Switzerland ahead of the friendly match. So, it has been a major concern for Fabio Capello. Earlier, England had already lost tow of their key players: Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King and Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey due to injury.

The most recent blow hit the England team as uncapped striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been sidelined with a hamstring injury during his team’s match against Fulham yesterday. He has been replaced by Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe, who scored in his debut match for new club against after his recent move from Tottenham Hotspur. It is said that Capello insisted him to change the club as Defoe was not in the provisional 30-man squad for the friendly match, but he made it to the final squad right after the withdrawal of Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Who will Captain England in the Friendly against Switzerland

It has been common-a-question that who is going to Captain England in the upcoming friendly match against Switzerland. Well, England boss Fabio Capello has not declared the name of the captain of the squad though Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard is reportedly the most likely candidate for England squad. However, Capello is unlikely to appoint a captain permanently as he wishes to run an experiment giving the role to several players in order to find out the perfect person before England starts competitive football in September with the world cup qualifying matches. Regarding appointing a captain Fabio Capello said:

“I plan to name a captain for the Switzerland game on Tuesday, but I don’t expect to appoint a permanent captain until we start the qualifying games. I want to work closely with the players before deciding on this.”

So, you can see that England boss is trying to build the team for a longer time. It is definitely a good initiative. England’s performance in the last decade was inconsistent. So, England needs to have a good balanced side with some players capable of playing consistently well at this level of football.

England 23-man Squad

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney, (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

England vs Switzerland Friendly 2008: Switzerland Squad

Switzerland is not considered as a football power house in the world. They have little success in the football world compared to England. However, ahead of the friendly match, you can take them lightly because they have a balanced squad and their players are playing in various clubs of Europe. In fact, only five players of the 23-man squad are now playing in any Swiss clubs. All others are playing in most popular leagues of Europe. So, you can realize that their players are no less potential than their English counterparts.

Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn has been in charge of Switzerland team since 2001. So, he knows very well about his side. On the other hand, this is the first match of England coach Fabio Capello in charge of England team. He has no previous experience of dealing with England team. So, it could be an advantage of Switzerland.

Anyway, I did not find flurry of news regarding Switzerland team ahead of the friendly match against England. Naturally, England team is now under focus as they are one of the best football playing nations in the world. The only new face in the Switzerland squad is forward Eren Derdiyok. He plays in Swiss club FC Basel. Switzerland team includes some young footballers along with a few veterans. So, I think, Switzerland has named a balanced side for the friendly match against England.

Switzerland 23-man Squad

Goalkeeper: Diego Benaglio (1983-09-08)(age 24, VfL Wolfsburg), Fabio Coltorti(1980-12-03) (age 27, Racing Santander), Pascal Zuberbühler (1971-01-08) (age 37, Neuchâtel Xamax)

Defenders: Valon Behrami (1985-04-19)(age 22, S.S. Lazio), Mario Eggimann(1981-01-24) (age 27, Karlsruher SC), Stéphane Grichting(1979-03-30) (age 28, AJ Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner(1984-01-16) (age 24, OSC Lille), Philippe Senderos (1985-02-14) (age 22, Arsenal), Christoph Spycher(1978-03-30) (age 29, Eintracht Frankfurt), Steve von Bergen (1983-06-10) (age 24, Hertha Berlin)

Midfielders Tranquillo Barnetta(1985-05-22) (age 22, Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Fabio Celestini (age 32, Getafe CF), David Degen(1983-02-15) (age 24, FC Basel), Gelson Fernandes (1986-09-02) (age 21, Manchester City), Daniel Gygax(1984-03-03) (age 23, FC Metz), Benjamin Huggel (1977-07-07)(age 30, FC Basel), Gökhan Inler(1984-06-27) (age 23, Udinese), Xavier Margairaz(1984-01-17) (age 24, CA Osasuna), Hakan Yakın(1977-02-22) (age 30, BSC Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (age 22, U.C. Sampdoria)

Forwards: Eren Derdiyok(1988-06-12) (age 19, FC Basel), Blaise Nkufo (1975-05-25)(age 32, FC Twente), Johan Vonlanthen(1986-02-01) (age 22, Red Bull Salzburg)

England vs Switzerland Friendly 2008 Live on BBC Radio 5 Live

If you are busy and can not be stick to your television then you can get BBC’s live commentary of the match though the BBC Radio 5 Live channel. What you need to do is to carry a radio and tune on this channel during the match time. However, this service is not available outside England. Sky Sports television channel will bring the highlights of the match for its viewers that day.

England vs Switzerland Friendly 2008: Online Live Score

There is no doubt that the upcoming friendly match is the center of all attention and fans are eagerly waiting to watch the match on television. However, those who will not be able to watch the match live on television due to personal and professional work can get the live score and updates of the match from different online live score sites. Some of those sties are given below:

England vs Switzerland match is expected to be an exciting one. Both sides include some young faces in the squads and both teams have some goals ahead of them around the match. England will wish to have a superb victory while even a draw would be satisfactory result for Switzerland. However, above all, I hope to see a mind blowing match at the Wembley stadium.

http://www.wembleystadium.com/events/majorevents/englandswitzerland.htm

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7277512,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_national_football_team