England v San Marino: World Cup qualifier
Live and direct from Wembley Stadium, minute-by-minute text commentary and goals from this World Cup qualifier
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The small republic in Italy has a population of 33,000 - about a third of the expected attendance here in Wembley tonight. In their 114 games, they've won one, drawn five and lost 108. They've lost their last 54 competitive internationals. San Marino's heaviest defeat was 13-0 against Germany in 2006. If England surpass that tonight, it would be a new record for the Three Lions, surpassing the 13 they put past Ireland in 1882. -

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San Marino: The squad and their jobs...
(GK) A Simoncini 26, accountant.
(GK) F Valentini 30, bank clerk.
(D) S Bacciocchi 35, office worker.
(D) G Bollini 32, owns removal company.
(D) C Brolli 20, student.
(D) A Della Valle 30, bank clerk.
(D) M Palazzi 25, pro footballer for Rimini Calcio in Italian fourth tier.
(D) D Simoncini 26, accountant.
(D) D Vannucci 35, gym owner.
(D) F Vitaioli 28, co-owns a bar with brother, Matteo, the midfielder.
(M) L Buscarini 21, student.
(M) M Cervellini 24, student.
(M) E Cibelli 25, barman.
(M) M Coppini 23, works for olive oil company.
(M) A Gasperoni 28, owns lighting company.
(M) P F Mazza 24, student.
(M) M Vitaioli 22, co-owns a bar.
(F) M Marani 28, works for a soft drinks company.
(F) A Selva 36, plays for non-league Italian side Fidene.
(F) D Rinaldi 26, works for a furniture company. -
You can read more on the San Marino squad and a bit about their most famous player in this piece from today's Independent... www.independent.co.uk -

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Okay, returning to the home side. As was announced yesterday, Rooney captains the side - only the second time he has done so. You can read what The Independent’s Sam Wallace thought about the decision to hand the Manchester United striker the armband here… www.independent.co.uk -

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Perhaps the most interesting bit of team news for England is that Leighton Baines starts ahead of Ashley Cole. There is no suggestion that Cole has been left out because of his recent Twitter misdemeanour, but rather this provides a good opportunity to give Baines some more minutes and keep Cole fresh for the match against Poland on Tuesday. Unless Cole makes an appearance off the bench, it means he'll have to wait beyond next week to reach his 100th cap. -
With a maximum capacity crowd of 90,000 here at Wembley tonight, this fixture against officially the worst team in the world according to Fifa, has thankfully been given a bit of bite. Fans won't be satisfied with anything less than a drubbing and Roy Hodgson appears to have set up his team accordingly. The combination of Cleverley, Walcott, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Welbeck has an exciting feel to it. And with Baines bombing forward on one side and Walker on the other the bus San Marino are sure to park across their goal should take a battering. -
We’ll be kicking off in just a couple of minutes. Just to let you know, you can follow me on Twitter @simonrice twitter.com -

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