Minnows' Capacity to Frustrate Will Test Visitors' Confidence

Fabio Capello begins his true work with England tonight in an idiosyncratic and potentially exasperating World Cup qualifier. As the manager realizes, the mission of sides such as Andorra is to embarrass the larger countries. In the Pyrenean principality's last competitive match at the Estadi Olimpic, Russia only got the three points they needed to overtake England for a place at Euro 2008 with a 1-0 win in which Andrei Arshavin was sent off.

Capello's team may come across irritations spared them in the program of banal friendlies. Several of the party were here in March 2007 and will recall the rain and boos of their own fans pouring down on them until Steven Gerrard broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.

There is nothing timorous about Andorra, who suffered six bookings while losing 3-0 in Kazakhstan at the start of Group 6. England will have to be assertive if this opening to the World Cup campaign is not to grow exasperating. With Wednesday's match against Croatia to come, Capello will not wish his side to become depleted physically or psychologically.

"It will be very important to score one goal early," he said, just like so many managers before him. At least Capello has available all the forwards he chose for this game, since the sole absentee is Rio Ferdinand. His sore back will not prevent him from playing. Matthew Upson seems the most obvious replacement tonight and the main quandary for the manager lies in determining who will break down the opposition.

Capello's side were fortunate to draw 2-2 with the Czech Republic last month. The Italian was then criticized by the Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp, for his tactics. Yesterday Capello called for a non-aggression pact. "I do not speak about the games that I see, the club games," he pointed out. "I'm the present England manager and I respect the club managers. I want them to respect me, as president [of the League Managers Association]."

That call for restraint will probably be heard by Redknapp and the others, but it would be better still if Capello earned admiration. This fixture will try his judgment. He noted how Andorra, 3-0 down in Kazakhstan, continued to keep most of the side in their own half. There has been some thought of using Theo Walcott but it is debatable if there would be enough space for him to show his pace. In view of Andorra's propensity for fouling it might be wise to focus on free-kicks. David Beckham would be to the fore unless, in the interests of preserving him for Zagreb, David Bentley is selected instead.

Wayne Rooney is expected to be prompting Jermain Defoe in attack tonight. The Manchester United player has not scored for England since the defeat in Moscow last October. Capello's side will continue to be at risk of frustration until Rooney regains some of the old gusto. Should the team wear down Andorra he might enjoy himself here.

Andorra uncovered

Koldo goalkeeper

Fifa proclaimed him Andorra's greatest player and put him on the golden list alongside Johan Cruyff, George Best and Bobby Moore

Antoni Lima defender

Currently sporting director at Ibiza's biggest side Eivissa and only plays international football - think Dennis Wise getting the call from Fabio

Ildefons Lima defender

Brother of Antoni and a professional in Italy with Triestina. His five goals from 51 caps make him Andorra's top scorer

Marc Bernaus defender

Scored in team's only competitive win, against Macedonia, in October 2004 in front of a crowd of 116

Oscar Sonejee midfielder

Insurance salesman. Robust tackler who had a row with Wayne Rooney in the corresponding fixture in 2007 and has a bone to pick with John Terry who stopped Jermain Defoe swapping shirts with him

Xavi Julia Andorra midfield

Persistent fouler with his country in his name, a bit like Mike England except not Welsh

Josep Manuel Ayala midfield

The David Beckham of the team, not because he's an iconic figure married to one of Andorra's most famous pop singers or is a free-kick specialist who can land the ball on a sixpence but because he owns a soccer school

Marc Vales midfield

Plays for Club CE Sabadell FC (Juvenil A), reserve team of a second division Spanish side. The club's fans make occasional trips to watch Bristol Rovers, due to both teams playing in blue and white quarters

Marc Pujol midfield

The 26-year-old failed to feature in the last meeting between the sides back in March 2007 because he injured himself in the warm-up

Juan Carlos Toscano forward

Plays his club football with Andorran side FC Santa Coloma, the 24-year-old striker has 12 caps for Andorra but as yet no goals

Fernando Silva forward

Scored in the 87th minute against 10-man Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifier, leveling the match 1-1 . However, the celebrations were cut short after Estonia scored in the last minute of injury-time