Roy aware of Moldova danger
Thursday, 06 September, 2012
England Manager Roy Hodgson says there are no easy games in international football
England Manager Roy Hodgson insists his players will not underestimate the threat posed by Moldova when they kick off their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in Chisinau on Friday night.
The Three Lions, who are currently third in FIFA's World Rankings, have travelled to Moldova for the first time in 15 years to face a team ranked 138 places below them.
However Hodgson insists his side have prepared adequately and he has warned his players to expect a tricky encounter.
He said: "I think in national football these days, it doesn't matter which country you're playing, you know that if you don't prepare for a tough game.
"We're aware from the games we've studied that they're a team capable of playing very well and causing problems. So we won't underestimate them.
"We're well aware that a very strong Holland team only won here by one goal to nil. So if they can hold Holland on two occasions to a 1-0 victory then what we've got to try and do is to make sure we get at the them. Even if it comes with an early goal or a late goal."
Hodgson also feels confident that his squad is strong enough to handle two qualifying clashes in quick succession, with Ukraine visiting Wembley next Tuesday, despite the fact that Andy Carroll, Adam Johnson and Ashley Cole have all had to pull out through injury.
He added: "Obviously it's a great blow to lose players that you've selected, I'm still happy with the players who remain with us, and we certainly have more than the eleven we need to play the game."