England

5-0

Slovakia

Richardson (pen) 35, Reo-Coker 61, Taylor 77, Huddlestone 82, Lita 84


International Under-21 Friendly
8pm, Tuesday 5 June, 2007
Carrow Road, Norwich City FC

England midfielder Tom Huddlestone says that confidence is high in the Under-21s dressing room after the 5-0 thrashing of Slovakia sent them on their way to Holland in fine style.

The result maintains England’s unbeaten record this season and gives them great hope for the UEFA Under-21 Championship, which, for them, kicks-off in Arnhem on Monday afternoon against Slovakia’s neighbours the Czech Republic.

It was a good night personally for Huddlestone, too. After seeing his central midfield partner, Nigel Reo-Coker, score his first Under-21 goal, the Spurs man swept home his first for the side as well, which put England 4-0 in front.

A Kieran Richardson penalty in the first half, Steven Taylor’s effort and a strike from Leroy Lita with a couple of minutes left made it a comfortable night for England and Huddlestone believes that players coming to the end of their Under-21s careers will add an experienced dimension at the Finals.

“The lads are buzzing. We’ve got a couple of days off before we fly out to the tournament, but the lads are full of confidence after that performance.”

“There are a few players who go there knowing it's their last tournament and will give it everything they have got, as we all will. For them it's a little bit special.”

“We’ve played well, we’re unbeaten this year. It’s obviously going to be a difficult tournament as there are some great nations there, but we’re another great nation.

“Every player, apart from a couple, have played in the Premiership regularly, so we have that experience, it’s just taking it on to the international stage.”

Huddlestone was also first up to take his penalty in the post-match practice shoot-out. His impressive strike into the top corner – the same one he scored in during normal time - put England on the way to a 4-3 win, but he says it’s more than just the result that mattered.

“After training sessions we have penalty shoot-outs, it’s a good idea and gives the lads more confidence rather than, come the tournament, having to take a penalty in the semi-final,” he said.

“When it comes to that you can see the manager is fully focused, he was unfortunate himself, but he watches fairly intensely when we’re taking the penalties.

“It’s a case of being confident in yourself, picking a spot and sticking to it, don’t change your mind in your run-up as you could miss,” added Huddlestone.

“As we’ve seen over the years in big tournaments, it’s a case of having a bit of luck as well, which can take you quite a long way.”