After the incredible achievement of reaching the World Cup with England, Eni tells us just how good it feels.
Hello Readers
WE DID IT!!! Saturday’s result is what dreams are made of. After a week of sleepless nights, intense nerves and kicking imaginary footballs in my dreams it is very hard to describe just how happy I am to have qualified for the World Cup.
I said in my pre-match interview that if we qualified, I’d be smiling from here to China and that has certainly been the case. I think if someone was to hurl an insult at me today, I’d still probably embrace them and shout “ We’re going to the World Cup!!”
The players and staff can now look forward to the opportunity of being involved in the biggest tournament in world football. The elation and joy I felt will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I watched the game again last night and felt nervous watching the last five minutes even though I knew what the glorious outcome was!
However I fully understand now that it is going to take the same amount of work and more to compete at a World Cup finals - so it does not stop now. With France being group favourites and us achieveing qualification, I am sure on the International and domestic front people will now sit up and recognise England as a force to be reckoned with.
The confidence I have as a member of the team and the fact that we continue to surpass all expectation means that we can boldly say we are not going to the World Cup to make up the numbers.
The sky is the limit and the last two years have proved that with hard work and dedication we can compete with the best in the world.
Preparation for the world stage could not be more fitting, with the upcoming friendly against the world champions Germany taking place on the 25 October. With an unbeaten record that stretches back 12 months I am sure the team will not want to give it up lightly. So success against the world champions can be achieved and I am sure will be the main aim.
Special regards have to be given to our wonderful travelling fans who acted as our 12th player in what was an fantastic atmosphere on Saturday. Hearing “ Can we sing a song for you!” from our fans is still ringing in my ears.
So even though our supporters were outnumbered by 19,000 odd French fans the fact they weren’t intimidated meant there was no excuse for me to be.
My parents unfortunately had to sit with French supporters because of my mums fear of heights. (Our fans were in the top tier of the ground) She mentioned being reserved for the first half because she feared being lynched! But don’t worry that fear stopped when our goal went in my parents jumped for joy in a group of French fans. FAIR PLAY!!!
Hopefully we can look forward to the same support during our preparations for the World Cup .
Watch this Space.
Eniola