01 June 2007
VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Steven Gerrard interview

Liverpool midfielder talks about limiting Kaka and Ronaldinho, and how focused England are on beating Estonia on Wednesday.

England

1-1

Brazil

Terry 68

Diego 90+2

International Friendly
8pm, Friday 1 June 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC1



After a Man of the Match display at the heart of England's midfield, Steven Gerrard believes that the confidence the Three Lions will take from their display against Brazil will help them overcome Estonia on Wednesday.

England were unlucky not to come away from their first game at the new Wembley with victory over the South Americans after John Terry had headed them in front.

Diego levelled with just seconds remaining and, despite the disappointing blow, Gerrard insists it puts England in a positive mood ahead of their important qualifier in Tallinn.

"It's obviously fantastic to be part of the first game at Wembley, but it was so cruel not to see the game out and win," he told TheFA.com.

"It was a ninety thousand crowd and the fans got behind us, which was nice, it was just unfortunate that we couldn't get them a win. They would have gone away smiling having beaten one of the best sides in the world.

"But it's a cruel game football and we got punished at the end."

The Liverpool skipper also renewed acquaintances with some of his Champions League rivals from earlier this season, with Barcelona's Ronaldinho and Milan's Kaka in the Brazil line-up, and he had his hands full keeping them quiet.

"Brazil have got some of the best players in the world and you've got to get close to them and stop them playing," said Gerrard. 

"My job tonight was to try and limit the threat of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho which was a difficult job, but I'm quite pleased with how it went."

He added: "We've got a lot of positives to take from the performance and we go in to Wednesday full of confidence and hopefully get three points, which is the most important part of the week.

"This whole week is all preparation for Wednesday. Before the game we wanted a positive performance and a confidence boost to take into Wednesday.

"We've got that, but we've got to go and perform and build on tonight and make sure we get the three important points on Wednesday.

To watch the interview in full click the links above.

Teams

England: 1 Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), 2 Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), 3 Nicky Shorey (Reading), 4 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), 5 Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), 6 John Terry (Chelsea) (c) (12 Wes Brown (Manchester United) 73), 7 David Beckham (Real Madrid) (17 Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur) 77), 8 Frank Lampard (Chelsea) (16 Michael Carrick (Manchester United) 88) 9 Alan Smith (Manchester United) (19 Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United) 62), 10 Michael Owen (Newcastle United) (21 Peter Crouch (Liverpool) 82), 11 Joe Cole (Chelsea) (20 Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) 62)

Substitutes: 13 Scott Carson (Liverpool), 14 Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), 15 Phil Neville (Everton), 18 David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), 22 Robert Green (West Ham), 23 Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)

Brazil: 1 Helton, 4 Juan, 3 Naldo, 2 Daniel Alves ( 13 Maicon 65), 6 Gilberto, 8 Gilberto Silva (c), 5 Mineiro (17 Edmílson 62), 7 'Ronaldinho', 10 Kaká (21 Afonso Alves 71), 11 Robinho (20 Diego 74), 9 Vágner Love

Substitutes: 12 Doni, 15 Alex, 14 Alex Silva, 16 Marcelo, 18 Josué, 19 Elano Blumer, 22 Jô

Referee: Markus Merk

Attendance: 88,754