Football player feature of the day Steven Gerrard England caps: 109 goals: 21 position: Midfielder club: Liverpool F.C. (ENG) Gerrard helped England qualify for the 2010 World Cup, scoring two goals in Englands 5–1 win over Croatia.[96] John Terry was replaced by Rio Ferdinand as captain in 2010, following revelations about the formers private life, and Gerrard subsequently became vice-captain again. When the England team left for the 2010 World Cup, Gerrard was the most experienced player in the squad with 80 caps. During preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, however, Rio Ferdinand was injured, meaning that Gerrard was appointed by Capello as captain for the tournament. After the tournament Gerrard, part of a group of England players dubbed the Golden Generation, confirmed that he would continue to be available for selection, despite suggestions from Capello that he would seek to re-build the team. Captain In August 2010, Gerrard scored twice in a friendly match against Hungary and helped England to a 2–1 win. Due to Ferdinands continued absence through injury, Gerrard retained the captaincy for the opening match of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Bulgaria, which England won 4–0. He was later named permanent captain by new coach Roy Hodgson, in time for the Euro 2012. This was the first time that he was named directly the captain of England and not in place of an injured or unavailable captain. He provided three assists and won two man of the match awards to help England finish top of their group in the qualifying round, and go through to the quarter-finals. Despite their exit on penalties to Italy, Gerrard was later the only England player to be named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament. On 14 November 2012, Gerrard won his 100th cap for England in a friendly match against Sweden.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:17:15 +0000