'Cherish the moment'
Friday, 10 October, 2008
Rio Ferdinand speaks exclusively to TheFA.com about his joy at leading out the Three Lions on Saturday.
England v Kazakhstan
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Group Six
5.15pm, Saturday 11 October 2008
Wembley Stadium
Live on ITV
After Fabio Capello confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will captain England against Kazakhstan in the absence of John Terry, the Manchester United defender revealed that he will 'cherish the moment' he leads out his country at Wembley.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Ferdinand admitted: "Being captain in any game is great, but leading out England in the first World Cup qualifier at Wembley is very special.
"I'm very much looking forward to it, and I'll cherish this moment.
"The biggest thing will be walking out at Wembley. It's a fantastic new stadium and the home of our national team.
"To lead England out against France in Paris was great, but I think this will up the ante even more. Being at home in front of a sellout crowd, in front of our own fans, my family there as well - I can't wait."
While Ferdinand believes that the absence of John Terry is a blow for England, he is confident that whoever comes in to replace the Chelsea skipper will be more than capable.
"JT is a top player and to miss anyone of that calibre is disappointing, but that's football. There's pros and cons to every situation, he's out of the team through injury and it's disappointing but that happens and someone has to come in and throw their hat into the ring.
"Whoever the manager deems right to play will go in with every confidence and produce the goods."
Ferdinand now hopes that England can replicate their form against Croatia on Saturday, and wants the fans to help England achieve their goal.
"I think people forget sometimes that football is entertainment, and we're there to entertain the fans. But it can be a two-way street where they can help us entertain them; when they scream their hearts out and make some noise.
"A lot of times in away games the fans are very vocal and you come out of the stadium thinking the atmosphere was incredible, and if we'd gone a goal down it would have been a hard place to be. We want Wembley to be like that, through the way we play and with the help of our fans creating that kind of atmosphere."
