Euro 2004 qualifying: Against the gloomy backdrop of war in Iraq football will creep back towards centre stage today for a raft of crucial Euro 2004 qualifiers.
England travel to Liechtenstein for a David versus Goliath contest that secured UEFA's go-ahead after initial security concerns about potential terror attacks.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side have already endured a storm of criticism following their miserable home draw against Macedonia.
Group Seven rivals Turkey are setting the early pace with three wins in three games and Englandare aware another slip-up would derail their campaign.
Eriksson has plumped for an injection of youth by drafting 17-year-old Everton striker Wayne Rooney and Newcastle's 20-year-old midfielder Jermaine Jenas, both of whom made their debuts in last month's friendly loss to Australia.With Sol Campbell injured, Gareth Southgate of Middlesbrough is likely to come in and partner Rio Ferdinand at the back.
Elsewhere in England's group, Macedonia, boosted by their 2-2 draw away to England, take on Slovakia. Turkey have a free weekend.
Sammy McIlroy has voiced his concern about the state of the pitch at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan ahead of Northern Ireland's game against Armenia today.
McIlroy said: "We had a good (training) session there but the pitch was very rutted.
"I had a word with the officials and they said there would be no problem with it on the day of the match. They've promised to roll it and I hope that is the case."
McIlroy has his share of troubles apart from the pitch. His team have failed to score in six games, sit at the bottom of Group Six with one point, have lost several senior players to retirement, and have to rely on an inexperienced squad captained by West Ham midfielder Steve Lomas.
The big game in the group is that between leaders Spain, on six points, and second-placers Ukraine, a point behind, in Ukraine.
Mark Hughes's Welsh dragons are on a roll after maximum points from their opening three games, including a home win over Italy.
A home win over Azerbaijan in Cardiff would leave Wales within touching distance of a place in the finals of a major event for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.
