Cup draw like chocolate box, says Hodgson
ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has vowed to approach Friday’s World Cup draw in the same way the lead character in Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump treated life: “like a box of chocolates”.
The draw to determine the make-up of the group stages at next summer’s finals is set to be held in Rio on Friday, with unseeded England able to be paired with a team from pot one, which includes hosts Brazil and holders Spain and old rivals Germany.
But with games set to be played at 12 venues that span the length and breadth of the world’s fifth largest nation, Hodgson’s primary concern is where, not who, England will be drawn to play.
“You always hope that the draw is going to be kind to you in terms of where you are going to be asked to play,” he said.
“There are venues in Brazil that will be harder to play in than others.
“Maybe in terms of the teams you are drawn against some on paper look harder than others, but I’m more concerned if anything by the venues than by the teams we draw.
“We will hope for our best but it is like Forrest Gump and his box of chocolates. We will open it up and see what we get.”
England will have an improved idea of who they can be drawn against when the World Cup’s organising committee convene today to determine the identity of the nations who will be placed in pots two, three and four.
Since failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in America England have successfully progressed from the group stage at the last four tournaments.