England’s trip to Kazakhstan isn’t merely an opportunity for the nation’s press to enjoy numerous references to Borat. It could also be the game that, in the words of Sacha Baron Cohen's comic creation, finally makes Robert Green’s international career a 'great success'.
Circumstances have ensured that the man whose gloves once bore the slogan ‘England’s number six’ will proudly don the number one shirt when Fabio Capello’s first XI march out at Almaty’s Central Stadium.
And for the West Ham keeper who will be making his first start for his country, it will not be a moment too soon.
Green’s first appearance for England came as a substitute in a friendly against Colombia in 2005. He was then picked for the 2006 World Cup but sustained an injury in a B international against Belarus and had to wait another three years before appearing as a sub in the defeat to Spain in February.
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Squad after squad was named, he was absent. The 29-year-old must have feared that his time had come and gone, a brief flirtation with international football that was never to be consummated.
When I interviewed him and mentioned his international aspirations back in the summer of 2007, his eyes glazed over as if the subject was one that no longer occupied his thoughts.
Hard work, determination and commitment; all of these have been insufficient for Green to force his way into the international reckoning in recent years despite his consistently impressive form for West Ham. But in the end it is blind luck that has given him the opportunity.
With David James and Ben Foster both absent through injury, Green now has the unexpected chance to establish himself as England’s first-choice goalkeeper just 12 months before a World Cup they look destined to quality for.
James’ form has been deeply unconvincing at times this season, Foster hardly plays for United, Scott Carson is not up to the job (despite being in the current squad) and Chris Kirkland just does not look stable enough with his fitness to be relied upon in the long-term.
Paul Robinson’s resurgence after his well-publicised troubles is certainly notable but it remains clear that the chance is very much Green’s for the taking. Whether he can do so or not is another matter…
The spectre of Borat is not a flippant one here. Promoting his film, the grinning visage of Kazakhstan’s most prominent cultural ambassador was splattered all over the advertising hoardings when Robinson famously swung his boot at thin air in Zagreb in 2006, allowing Gary Neville’s backpass to dribble agonisingly over the line and to help bring a shuddering halt to the keeper's international career.
In the fictional home of Cohen’s most infamous creation, Green will be desperate to avoid a similar farce as he looks to tighten his grip on the gloves that have so often eluded him in recent years.
After all, it has been a long time coming for Green to have the chance to make benefit glorious nation of England.