[kyan]

England fixtures revealed

England will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on 6th September.

Fabio Capello has discovered that his first competitive game as England boss will be away against the tiny European nation, followed by a trip to Croatia four days later.

Croatia defeated England in their final Euro 2008 qualifier to dash their hopes of making it to Austria and Switzerland and spell the end of Steve McClaren's reign, and the match will be Capello's first major test.

England's first home game will be against Kazakhstan in October, before they travel to Belarus for their last qualifier of 2008.

Ukraine visit Wembley on 1st April 2009 and England then face Kazakhstan away and Andorra at home in the summer.

Two potentially crucial games follow in autumn 2009, as England play Croatia at home and then Ukraine away.

England finish their campaign at home to Belarus on 14th October next year.

They have to finish top of their group to guarantee a place in the World Cup in South Africa.

"We are reasonably pleased with how it worked out," said FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, who accompanied Capello into the meeting in Zagreb, which lasted eight hours.

"He wanted Croatia twice in September - he was really relaxed about whether we were home or away.

"It has worked out quite nicely that we have a free Saturday before the home game. He also wanted to start with Andorra.

"The two summer games weren't quite as bad as normal. It is unfortunate we are not involved in the tournament coming up, so players will have a long rest this summer. He just felt it was an opportunity to get them away for a period of time.

"We have to make sure we get an evening kick-off for the Kazakhstan game but if you are going to have to play two matches in June, they are the ones you would have chosen."

England fixtures

Andorra (a), Saturday September 6 2008
Croatia (a), Wednesday September 10 2008
Kazakhstan (h), Saturday October 11 2008
Belarus (a), Wednesday October 15 2008
Ukraine (h), Wednesday April 1 2009
Kazakhstan (a), Saturday June 6 2009
Andorra (h), Wednesday June 10 2009
Croatia (h), Wednesday September 9 2009
Ukraine (a), Saturday October 10 2009
Belarus (h), Wednesday October 14 2009

Goal.com -

Well we get our hardest game out of the way second, but we have a tough end to the campaign with Croatia and then Ukraine. But if we're good enough we'll make it through and I have faith.