Fabio Capello Eyes-up World Cup Semi-Finals
England boss Fabio Capello has insisted that the Football Association's target of at least reaching the semi-finals of this Summer's South African World Cup is achievable.
Capello has also stated that he believes England currently have one of the best players in world in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, making England one of the top contenders to feature in the finals.
"The semi-finals is a minimum. We can beat all teams because we play at the same level as the best teams," he said.
"Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney are the best in the world."
Rooney is in the form of his career so far, scoring 28 goals for the Red Devils this season. He is hotly tipped to breach the 30 goal barrier before the season is out.
The United star striker has only scored once for England in the last six internationals but that goal came during one of two World Cup qualifiers played since September.
He took his qualifying tally to nine in England's 5-1 victory over Croatia, giving him five more goals than Frank Lampard who scored four.
England have failed to reach the last four of a major tournament since Terry Venables' side lost to Germany on penalties during Euro 96. The last time England featured in a World Cup semi-final was 1990, when eventual Cup winners Germany put them out on penalties.
Capello was at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Wednesday and told the media that he was expecting tough games in Group C against the United States, Algeria and Slovenia. Though he then went on to say he was looking forward to the latter stages of the competition.
"Algeria played against Egypt and beat them (in the World Cup qualifiers) so Algeria are probably stronger than Egypt," he stated. "I respect this team.
"I hope to play against Italy in the final but my shirt at that moment will be an England shirt."
England's first game of the World Cup is against the USA, bet365 offer 4/7 odds of a win for Capello's side.
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