Sturridge wants icing on the cake
Jamie Bradbury
Monday, 06 September, 2010
Chelsea striker looking for more goals against Lithuania.
Click here for ticket details for England v Lithuania
Daniel Sturridge says that England’s team spirit will help the Under-21s get the win they are looking for when the meet Lithuania in Colchester on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s the final round of games in qualifying for Euro 2011 with places in the play-offs up for grabs and all games must start at the same time across Europe, so Stuart Pearce’s men kick off at 4pm at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Meanwhile, across the continent, teams in the other nine groups will all be looking to seal qualification from the group stages.
England drew 0-0 away in Lithuania in November, so know how tough the game will be. But, after scoring the winning goal in Friday night’s victory in Portugal, two days after turning 21, Chelsea striker Sturridge is confident the Three Lions can get the win to keep them in contention to put the icing on a good week for England.
“We’re a great unit as a team and we’re working hard. The gaffer’s told us throughout the week to work as a team together and get back into shape when things go bad and make sure we keep our heads on the game.” he said.
“It’s not over and all the boys know that we have to go into the game against Lithuania without any intentions of thinking that we’re going to win the game. We have to go I into the game knowing that we have to win it and we have got to go out there and attack and try and score as many goals as we can.
“And, when we score goals, we have to keep it tight at the back as well.”
Sturridge continued: “I turned 21 on 1 September. They bought me a cake at the hotel in Portugal, which I was happy about. I had some of my friends around me and we had a little bit of cake, which gave us a bit of energy for the game.
“It was great for me to score but the victory we got in Portugal was the most important thing. I’m just so happy that we got the win. I wasn’t worried about anything else apart from playing for England and getting that win because it was hugely important.
“It was a very hard game for us; I scored earlier on in the game and they disallowed it for offside and it wasn’t offside. I think it was Danny Welbeck, but he wasn’t offside and it wasn’t me - I don’t think either of us were. I’m gutted about that.
He added: “If we didn’t get that three points we would have been going home and we’d have been out of the competition. It’s giving us a glimmer of hope knowing that, if we beat Lithuania, we’ve got a chance of going through to the play-offs.”
Tickets for the match at Colchester United are available from via the Colchester United Ticket Office in person, on 0845 437 9089, via the club’s ticket website www.colutickets.com , or from the club’s town centre shop U’s Central on Sir Isaac’s Walk, Colchester.
A discount applies for groups of 15 or more, with prices reduced to £5 (adults) and £2.50 (concessions). For more information call 0845 437 9089, or e-mail ticketing@colchesterunited.net