By Richard Bailey Last updated: 12th November 2009
Rooney: Eyes improvement
Wayne Rooney believes England need to improve if they are to be considered serious contenders for the World Cup.
Fabio Capello's men cruised through to next summer's finals in South Africa after winning nine of their 10 qualification games - only losing to Ukraine in their penultimate match - but the 24-year-old says they can still get better.
The Manchester United forward highlights that England have shown weakness in friendlies in the past with the Three Lions struggling against the likes of Holland and Spain in the past year, although they have overcome Germany in Berlin in that time.
Rooney is almost certain to start against Brazil in the friendly in Doha on Saturday and the striker knows the team will have to play at their best if they are to beat the five-time World Cup winners.
"Of course we are in with a chance [of winning the World Cup]," he said.
"But there is a lot of hard work to do yet and there is a lot of improving that we have to do if we are going to win it.
"Our results have been better in qualification than they have in friendlies. We did beat Germany but Brazil are number one in the world and this is a massive game for us.
"We need to play some good football if we are going to win."
Brazil v England 1st Goalscorer: Rooney, W. 7/1
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Redknapp bemoans Modric absence
Ancelotti coy on Aguero
Pompey may lose Algerian pair
Pulis - Technology is needed
Robinho close to return
Hodgson sympathetic for Duff
Brown discusses Ireland game
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
David Ginola told Sky Sports News that French supporters are appalled by their World Cup play-off win.
Paul Merson can't separate Bolton and Blackburn - but thinks Stoke will see off Portsmouth.
The French Football Federation have refused to back the Football Association of Ireland's call to replay their World Cup play-off.
The FAI have launched a fresh plea with their French counterparts to agree to a replay of their controversial play-off match.
Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has joined French captain Thierry Henry in calling for a replay of their World Cup qualifier.
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will not quit football over the Thierry Henry handball controversy.
The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.