New Zealand

v

England 

 

FIFA U17 World Cup
Group B
9am Tuesday 21 August 2007 (UK time)
Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo

Rhys Murphy has the perfect mindset for a striker - he doesn't care what match he's playing in so long as he scores goals.

For some young players, scoring in a World Cup would be the pinnacle of their infant careers. But a laid back Murphy seems unpeturbed and by speaking to him, you get the impression he would celebrate a goal in his back garden.

"I just want to score anywhere really," he said, moments before being whisked off for a recovery and weights session 24 hours before England's second game with New Zealand. "That's what I am there to do."

Murphy was a frustrated Lion on Saturday, spurning two good chances in the 1-1 draw with Korea DPR. However, he was almost in the right place to put England ahead but slipped at the vital minute as he tried to turn in a rebound from Nathan Porritt's shot. Fortunately for England, Victor Moses was on hand to pile home the loose ball.

"I was disappointed not to score in the last game," added Murphy, who is a first-year scholar at Arsenal. "On the goal I thought I was going to score but it just slipped away from me. Luckily Victor was there to put it in. You want to score in any game, but it doesn't get any bigger than the World Cup."

At the top level, clear-cut chances are often sparse meaning Murphy and his team-mates must be precise when shooting. But the Gunner insists the lack of opportunities in front of goal, as they were against Korea, will not bother him.

"If you worry about it then you will put more pressure on yourself," he said. "Whenever you shoot you just try and hit the target.

"The chances were limited against Korea. There wasn't much of the ball. But it was our first game in the heat and we are just getting used to it. We played OK in spells but we can do better."

England meet New Zealand knowing a win should guarantee them a place in the Second Round.

The Kiwis were thrashed 7-0 by Brazil in their first game, but England's coaches have been warning their players not to get carried away with that result.

But Murphy is confident he can open his World Cup account at the Jeju World Cup Stadium, providing Head Coach John Peacock selects him of course.

"Hopefully I will play, if I do I will be looking to score," he said. "John said don't go out there thinking it's an easy game. But Brazil put seven past them so you'd think there will be chances.

"This game is big. If we draw that means we have to win against Brazil. If we win then it puts pressure on Korea. People seemed a little bit down after the last game, but Korea and us are in the same boat. I think we are in good shape to go through."

England's next match is against New Zealand on Tuesday, kicking off at 9am UK time. Full coverage will be on Eurosport.