Smalling: "Our spirit showed"
Jamie Bradbury
Saturday, 04 September, 2010
England U21s defender buzzing after win over Portugal.
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England defender Chris Smalling believes it was the team’s spirit the helped the Under-21s beat Portugal in Barcelos on Friday night to successfully complete the first part of a must-win double-header.
The Three Lions needed two win from two games this week to keep their hopes of reaching the Euro 2011 play-offs on track and Daniel Sturridge’s fine first half finish gave Stuart Pearce’s side the first three points.
But the job is not done yet if Smalling and his team mates want to play in next month’s play-offs for a place in the Denmark Finals. They are now in Essex preparing for Tuesday afternoon’s meeting with Lithuania at Colchester United.
“Everyone’s buzzing after that performance. It was a hot day and we know it was going to be a tough game coming to Portugal and playing them on their own territory,” the Manchester United man told TheFA.com after the match.
“But we came here and got the three points and think the team spirit really showed at the end because we knew just how important that win was.
“The second half we had chances on the counter and could have had one or two more goals, but in the end we came here for the three points and overall that’s made us all stronger.
“When we joined up for the ten days we knew this was going to be a job of two halves over the two games. But it’s our own hands, hopefully we’ll get the fans behind us and give that performance to get us into the play-offs.“
For Smalling it was the second time he teamed up with Blackburn Rovers central defender Phil Jones, who made his competitive Under-21s debut in Portugal. He also wen face to face with a new Old Trafford teammate - £7m summer signing Bebe.
“I’ve got to know Bebe in his brief spell and he’s starting to learn English, but that was a good battle for me a Jonesy,” he said.
“We got another clean sheet between us and that’s important for us as well as the whole team. I think overall it was a good battle and hopefully me an Jonesy can keep that going and get another clean sheet on Tuesday.
“There’s been a few centre halves that have been playing, but Jonesy got his debut in the last game and looks really strong, I’ve enjoyed playing alongside him.”
And in the end England could have won by a much more confortable margin with Sturridge and Nathan Delfouneso both missing good chances at the end.
The Chelsea striker also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, just before he clipped home what became England’s winner.
“He (Sturridge) said it was very close and he might have been on,” said Smalling. “But we knew it was coming and once we took the chance all around the park we all dug in for the cause.
“Studge has been really lively in training and has got a very good left foot, he took the goal very well.”
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