9 October 2004
Rio Ferdinand interview

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Rio Ferdinand is warning England's heroes not to get complacent following the fine victory over Wales.

While the rest of the country is busy celebrating Saturday's Battle of Britain triumph, Ferdinand says the players must stay completely professional and immediately focus on playing Azerbaijan away on Wednesday.

The Manchester United defender said: "We've had a good win but there's no room for complacency, we have to remain professional and if we do that then we have every chance of qualifying.

"We want to be there in Germany in 2006 and that must be our only thought. We have to go to Azerbaijan now and we need to play just as well and win again."

Ferdinand was outstanding on his return to international football on Saturday, marshalling England from the back and looking cool and unflustered.

But he is adamant the game was not as easy as some people have suggested.

He said: "Wales posed us some problems, we had to be concentrated for 90 minutes. But we got the goals at important times,.and all over the field we were on our game.

"You have to do well all over the park to get the result and that's what we did.

"People are saying it was easy, but it never was. We respected them before the game and we'll respect them afterwards as well because we have to play them again at the Millennium Stadium. They have a very, very talented bunch of players who can score goals out of nothing and we have to be aware of that. It's what makes this victory so good."

Football purist Ferdinand was pleased with the style of the victory against Wales following a performance in which England passed the ball well and kept possession for long periods.

He added: "We kept the ball at the back, which is not the natural way for us in the past and not the way it's done in the Premiership. But we're a young and growing team and we're growing together. This was a little taster of the way to play against teams in international football sometimes, and I enjoyed it.

"Walking out at Old Trafford for an international match wearing an England shirt was good. It was great to be back and the result made it even better."