Berahino back on home turf
By Nicholas Veevers
Tuesday, 28 February, 2012
Forward ready to prove his worth to Noel Blake tonight.
Ticket prices for the game are £3 adults and just £1 for children and concessions
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England striker Saido Berahino runs out on home turf for the first time this season later on Tuesday as part of the U19 squad to face Czech Republic at Brisbane Road.
Berahino was picked for the last match with Denmark in Brighton, but had to withdraw through injury on that occasion so tonight’s match provides a chance to outline his credentials for future selection to Head Coach Noel Blake.
With the Elite Round Qualifiers coming up in May, all of the players are keen to show why they should be picked for those matches by Blake and this game is the final dress rehearsal.
"We’ve only had friendly games this season, but we’ve played well and had some good results against some good teams so we just hope to carry on with it and take it into the Qualifiers,” said Berahino, who is currently on loan at Brentford from West Bromwich Albion.
“Czech Republic will be a hard game tonight. That’s the thing with international football, you come across different kinds of teams and situations. They will be a different challenge again, so I just hope we can a good job.”
Berahino has already got plenty of experience under his belt at international level having been part of the U17 squad in 2010 which won the European Championship and then featuring in the U20 World Cup in Colombia last summer where he played against some top teams in testing conditions.
"Playing for England at any level is a great experience and you learn a lot,” he added.
“That was definitely the case in Colombia, it was a World Cup and to play against teams like Argentina and Mexico is something that you just can’t replace really.
"It’s been good for me to go out and play football at home too. I went to Northampton and did pretty well there earlier in the season and now I’m at Brentford so I just hope I can get kicking-on and play a few more games.”
The full interview with Berahino can be read in the match programme for tonight’s game.