Kelly's goal
Nicholas Veevers in Suez
Thursday, 01 October, 2009
Defender targets victory in final group game, regardless of its outcome.
England defender Martin Kelly says that victory against Uzbekistan on Friday is the squad’s only focus, regardless of whether that will be enough to see them through to the next round.
The fixture in Suez will be England’s final match of the group stages and a win for the Young Lions could put them in contention for a place in the final 16, depending how teams in the other groups fare.
For now though, Brian Eastick’s team want to make sure they can finish Group D off with a victory to make up for the disappointment of their opening two games with Uruguay and Ghana.
“We just want to win this game, so we’ll put the last two games behind us and take it on the chin and then try and play our best in this last game,” said the Liverpool man.
“We don’t want to go out of the competition without a win.”
Kelly himself his also targeting a World Cup goal, after coming close in both the previous matches, His tall frame and strength provide a real target from set-pieces and he wants to sign out with a strike to his name if possible.
“I’ve been close, but not close enough,” he said.
“We’ve got one game left, and hopefully I can get on the scoresheet there.
“I fancy my chances from set pieces, I feel I’m a big enough threat to score a goal and there have been good deliveries from the corners and free-kicks so I think we’ve been a little unlucky not to score in the two games so far.”
Friday’s game kicks-off at 8.30pm (BST) and is live on Eurosport.