Crouch: 'We still believe'
Friday, 16 November, 2007
Peter Crouch says he believes that England can still make it to Euro 2008 next summer.
Austria v England
International Friendly
8pm, Friday 16 November 2007
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Live on Sky Sports
Peter Crouch says that he and his England team-mates still believe they can qualify for Euro 2008, and that playing Austria will provide the perfect preparation for the crucial match with Croatia at Wembley.
The Liverpool striker has grabbed four goals in the qualifying campaign and remains confident that the Three Lions can make it to the European Championship Finals next summer.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Crouch said: "I think we've believed all the way through. We had a bit of a sticky start to qualifying but we've certainly improved since then.
"We're playing some good football now and it's a shame that we're relying on other teams, but we're certainly confident that we'll get the right result and hopefully the other teams will do us a favour."
England's defeat in Moscow last month meant that qualification was no longer in their hands, and Crouch admits that everyone in the squad is determined to put that result behind them in these two games.
"It's a big factor. Before that game everyone was happy with the way we were playing. We had a few 3-0 wins and we were playing some great football.
"For a large part of the game in Russia we played very well, but it was just a mad ten minutes. I would say that was a hiccup and hopefully we can put that behind us with these two matches."
With a friendly in Vienna first up for the squad, Crouch believes it will be an ideal preparation for the crunch clash with Croatia at Wembley five days later.
"Austria is an important game. It's important that we approach it in the right way.
"The most important part of these ten days is next Wednesday, but any game for England is a big game and on Friday we'll be looking to get the right result and go out there with a positive frame of mind.
"It's a chance for the manager to look at a few players and the systems in preparation for the Croatia match. It's good preparation and I'm sure it will help us as we prepare for Wednesday."