Austria U21 v England U21
European U21 Championship qualifier
Krems, Austria
03 September 2004

Janice and Julian Ferdinand will be proud parents tonight should Rio’s 19-year-old younger brother Anton win his second England Under-21 cap in Austria.

"My mum and dad are coming out to watch and it will be a huge buzz to see them while the national anthem is playing," says Anton, who made his Under-21 debut in last month’s win against Ukraine.

"I will ring Rio before the game to let him know if I am starting and then I will call him after the game. We are a very close family and my parents have supported us in everything we’ve done.

"The ultimate ambition for us is that I can play with Rio for England. It is something to aim for that we will remember for the rest of our lives."

Besides Rio and Anton, there are four Ferdinand sisters and a five-year-old brother Jeremiah.

"My sisters are into acting and ballet rather than sport. But Jeremiah is already kicking a ball well and has been to soccer training camps," says Anton.

"People have always compared me to Rio so I am used to it. People say we are similar in some ways and that’s a good thing because it means I might follow and achieve all the great things he has done."

The teenage Ferdinand has already played in every defensive position for West Ham as well as right wing and central midfield.

"I think centre-back is my best position though," he says. "I will play anywhere for my club or country but in an ideal world that’s where I like to be.

"I am comfortable coming out with the ball although it’s up to other people really to say what my strengths are.

"Since I played against Ukraine, I have been in the centre of defence for West Ham so I think being with England definitely helped."

In fact, meeting up with Peter Taylor’s squad is like a reunion for Anton.

His West Ham team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker is there, so too is former Hammers pal Glen Johnson who is eligible for Tuesday’s match in Poland. And centre-half partner Matt Kilgallon was at Upton Park on loan.

"It helped me playing alongside someone I already knew," says Anton. "It is great to meet up with Glen again.

"We have kept in touch on the phone since he went to Chelsea. Our last game together was for West Ham reserves. Now it might be for England!"

Many observers might think a draw would be a good result for England in Austria. But Anton isn’t thinking like that.

"The mentality has to be to try and win the game," he says. "We had two hard training sessions on Thursday working out how we think Austria will play. We are ready."