Afobe's ambition

  • Sunday, 08 July, 2012
  • England U19s striker Benik Afobe.
  • Benik Afobe in action for England U19s against Serbia. Photo by Ain Liiva
  • England U19s squad for the 2012 European Championships in Estonia.

England U19s striker hoping for Euro progress on Monday.

By Nicholas Veevers in Tallinn

England striker Benik Afobe believes a continuation of the good team-work shown in their opening two games of the European Championship is the way to go on Monday, as the Young Lions prepare to face France in their final group game.

The U19s know that just a draw from the match in Tallinn will be enough to take them through to the semi-finals, but after earning a point in their first game with Croatia and then Friday's victory over Serbia, England are hoping to continue building their momentum.

"Any footballer will tell you that when you play, you don't play to draw," said the Arsenal forward.

"You don't play to try and go through just with luck. We want to win this game and we want to finish first in the group – that is what we are going to try to do on Monday.

"We are just going to try and do what we have been doing all tournament – create chances. Hopefully we will be able to find the breakthrough."

Afobe, who scored a crucial equaliser against Montenegro in the Elite Qualifying Round to help England reach the Finals, opened his account in Estonia with the first goal against Serbia which gave his side a platform on which to build in that match and ultimately win the three points.

And the east Londoner was more than happy to play his part in that goal and then a crucial role in the move which led to Nathan Redmond scoring a stunning winner in the second half.

"As a striker you always want to score for your team and to have scored in the sixth minute after our manager called for a sharper start to Friday's match was even better," he said.

"The goal gave us a bit of breathing space but all credit to our opponents. For about 30 minutes of the second half, they were very strong and had lots of shots and a lot of possession, but we were happy that we held on to the lead and to take the three points."

Afobe has been a regular goalscorer for England over the last few years at U16, U17 and U19 level, but personal glory is not what he's chasing out here with more focus on adding another medal to go with the one he picked up in 2010 as part of the U17 squad which won the European Championship in Liechtenstein.

"I would rather win the competition and not score a goal," he revealed. 

"I play this sport because I love working with my team, with the staff and the whole squad. My main aim is to get into the final and get into the history books as the first England team to win the U17s and U19s with the same year group."


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