Peacock: 'A special game'
By James Marshall in Pachuca
Wednesday, 29 June, 2011
Head Coach John Peacock is looking forward to taking on Argentina.
England U17 Head Coach John Peacock spoke to the media ahead of his side’s World Cup Second Stage match against Argentina in Pachuca, Mexico and suggested that games against Argentina are always something to look forward to.
“England v Argentina are always very special games, I see it as no different tomorrow," he said. "It will be a very good game and also a very close game.”
Peacock, who has 21 players fully fit for the clash, suggested his team won’t be taking their opponents lightly despite finishing top of their group whilst the Argentines sneaked into the last 16 as one of the best third placed teams.
"We obviously had a very good group stage and finished top of the group,” added Peacock.
“Argentina finished third, but that is history now and we are into knock-out football. We won’t be underestimating them, that’s for sure.”
After beating Uruguay 2-0 in their last game in Torreon, the England squad headed straight back to Pachuca where they played their first two group games against Rwanda and Canada and that was one aspect that Peacock was pleased about, especially given the cooler climate.
“We are delighted to be back in Pachuca, the weather is completely different to what it was in Torreon," he explained. "Pachuca is very familiar, more like what the weather conditions are in England and hopefully it will suit us.”
Even if the weather is cooler in Pachuca, it didn’t stop the Young Lions putting on a great performance in 40 degree heat in Torreon. With six goals scored from six different players in the tournament so far, Peacock suggested the Argentineans will be more worried about his side’s capabilities, when asked about his opponent’s strengths.
“Argentina are a very good passing team, we have to be ready to deal with times when we haven’t got the football and defend well as a team," he said. "But I also think that Argentina will be worried about some of the qualities we have as well.”
Peacock will be looking to reach the Quarter Finals of a World Cup for a second time too, after his success in Korea in 2007 with an U17 team containing the likes of Danny Welbeck, Henri Lansbury, Jordan Spence and Dan Gosling.
“In terms of expectations, we have come with an objective of trying to reach the quarter finals like we did at the last World Cup in Korea," he concluded.
"Let’s hope we can win the game and do that tomorrow.”