'My best yet'
Wednesday, 12 August, 2009
Jermain Defoe talks exclusively to TheFA.com in Amsterdam.
Stuart Mawhinney in Amsterdam
England hero Jermain Defoe led a second half fightback in Amsterdam on Wednesday before admitting that was his best display for the Three Lions.
Defoe was introduced at half time by Fabio Capello with England two goals down and within four minutes of the re-start, he'd reduced the arrears with a finely taken strike before he found an equaliser with 14 minutes left after knocking home fellow substitute James Milner's cross.
“That was definitely my best game in an England shirt and it was a good performance by the team too," revealed the Tottenham Hotspur ace.
"I think that is what the manager was looking for, after we were unlucky to concede the two first half goals."
Whilst Capello himself revealed he was quiet in the dressing room at the break, Defoe knew his Manager was far from satisfield and that was one of the reasons for the second half improvement.
“He was not too happy at half-time and he told us to get going and remember what we do well in the second half and to remember how we had played well in the past," explained Defoe.
“I managed to just stay onside for my first goal, get on the right side of the defender and it was great to see the ball go in. I took a gamble with my run for the second and it paid off, so it was also great to see that one go in too."
Defoe is now hoping to take his goalscoring touch back into the Premier League for Spurs, before seeing what the future holds at international level when England's World Cup qualifying campaign resumes next month.
“It’s still pre-season for us so there is a lot more to come," he added.
"It’s great to come on and play for your country but the season hasn’t even started yet so I need to get back to my club, work hard and do well before I can think any further ahead.”