Brazil may have got their World Cup campaign off to a great start on home turf last night but for many things kick-off for real tomorrow when England begin their quest for glory against Italy in the jungle.
Roy Hodgson’s side go into the campaign with lower expectations than usual, although optimism is starting to creep in alongside the increasing appearances of the St George’s Cross and Adrian Chiles.
England were drawn into a difficult group alongside Costa Rica, Italy and Uruguay – their feelings summed up by FA Chairman Greg Dyke’s throat-slitting gesture.
They must also cope with the humid playing conditions and dried-out pitch in Manaus in their opening game.
Depending on the result of that match, England could find themselves under even greater pressure against Uruguay on Thursday and Costa Rica on the following Tuesday.
Despite all the doubts, England have the players in Joe Hart, Leighton Baines, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney – if he can rediscover his pre-March form – to get results.
In addition, Hodgson has picked a number of less established players whose form over the last season meant he could not ignore them.
Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley add guile to the midfield, while Raheem Sterling offers the unexpected – be it a spark of brilliance or a red card in a pre-tournament friendly with Ecuador.
The question is, will their mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm be enough to reach the knock-out stages?
We took to the streets of Manchester to assess people’s views on England’s chances of progression.
Will England get out of their World Cup group?
| Options | Results |
| Yes | 69% |
| No | 31% |
The majority of those asked tipped England to make it out of Group D, though most also conceded that it could be a close-run thing.
Adam Henshaw, a 23-year-old bar worker from Chorlton, said: “It’s a difficult group but I think they’ll scrape through to the first knock-out round.”
Jules Musyimi, a 33-year-old chef from Cumbria, went one stage further.
“There are better teams out there, but you never know,” he said.
“The quarter finals, I think.”
Gerry Lard, a 27-year-old construction worker from Dublin but now living in Bury, also thought the quarter finals were within England’s reach.
He said: “They should make the last eight teams. They have good players but when they get together you don’t know if they’ll do well or mess it up.”
The biggest optimist was Maher Hasan, a 30-year-old student from Manchester city centre.
“I think England can reach the semi-finals,” he said.
“But their big players will have to have belief.”
There were some who doubted England’s ability to escape the group, however.
Aria Rahemem, a 20-year-old English student from Burnage, said: “I don’t think they will make it past the group – Italy and Uruguay will be too strong.”
Raymond Lawrie, 70, from Bury said: “I used to love football – I remember [England] winning it in ’66 – but I’ve gone off it a bit with the way it is played.”
He added: “I hope they will get out [of the group] but I just don’t think they will.”
Even some who are not too familiar with the England team are looking forward to the World Cup experience.
Alice Doyle, a 37-year-old from Cheadle and volunteering with cancer charity ‘Look Good Feel Better’, said she had already enjoyed yesterday’s Opening Ceremony.
She added: “I just like atmosphere of it, even on TV, going to the pub with your mates. When the sun comes out it gets people together.”
Faeza Choudry, a 20-year-old biomedical student from Gorton, said: “I want to watch all of it; I enjoyed the first game yesterday.
“I’m supporting Spain, and I think they can win it again.”
Australia can also count on some North West support, thanks to 24-year-old construction worker Josh Hill – originally from Down Under but currently living in Cheshire.
“I’ll probably watch all of it, though I don’t know much about the England team.
“Australia have such a tough group [Chile, the Netherlands and Spain]… they probably won’t get through.”
He also said that the World Cup would be a big hit in Australia were the country to be awarded the 2022 tournament instead of Qatar.
“Though soccer isn’t as big as Aussie Rules there, I think people would get into it. I would go see a couple of matches myself!”
Not everyone had caught World Cup fever, however.
Marie Laycock, 54, from Marston and working in theatre, said: “I am trying to avoid it. Football as a sport bores me silly!”
Image courtesy of England Football Official via YouTube, with thanks.
