England v Jamaica
International Friendly
2pm, Saturday 03 June 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
Live on BBC
1 June 2006
VIDEO: Joe Cole pre Jamaica

Joe Cole is determined to make the World Cup a tournament to remember for England.

Joe Cole is relishing the countdown to the start of the World Cup and wants to erase his painful memories of Euro 2004 once and for all.

Cole failed to play a single game in Portugal and was left heartbroken when England crashed out of the competition in a penalty shoot-out against the host country.

But the Chelsea midfielder has bounced back from that disappointment helping his club side win two consecutive Premiership titles and playing a major role in helping England qualify for the World Cup this summer.

Cole is now hoping that the England team can live up to all the expectations from supporters around the country and bring home the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

Cole said: “About four-years ago I was happy to be at the World Cup. I was only 20 and still a kid. The last tournament in Portugal was disappointing for me personally because I didn’t play at all. I said to myself then that I didn’t want that to happen again.

“I wanted to knuckle down and make sure the next time a tournament comes along I am part of it. The last two years have been fantastic for me but the hard work starts now. I want to help the team to do something.

“This is new territory for me because I knew I was not starting the last two tournaments. But I have started a lot of the games over the last two years and all the indications are that I have got a good chance. All I can do is my job and to try and help us win.

“There is no reason for us to fear anyone. We have got Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and there are not many better players than them in the world. Becks is proving it along with Wayne Rooney’s emergence.

“Add to that Michael Owen, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole – these players would walk into any side in the world. We have just got to come together as a team and I think we are.

“The spirit is fantastic throughout the squad. We are right to be optimistic because we have got a great chance.”

Cole will not be fazed by playing in the World Cup this summer and says he has had to overcome pressure ever since he was a young schoolboy.

He has managed to confound all his critics and is now playing for the Premiership champions and representing his country in Germany this summer.

But Cole refuses to rest on his laurels and will be doing everything to ensure England have a successful run in the competition.

Cole added: “I will go out there and play my game. The pressure is only on you if you let it get to you. I want to go to the World Cup and score as many goals as I can and set-up as many as I can. If I can help the team to do that I will be delighted.

“I am comfortable with people if they think I am trying to do too much. I have had that since a young age and people have expected a lot of me since I was a youngster.

“That is nothing new to me and I will just go out there and do my job. I feel I have got gradually better as the years have gone on.

“It is difficult because all my mistakes have come under scrutiny from everyone and that is no-one’s fault. That is how it was for me and I have lived with those expectations for a long time.

“I don’t feel I have gone from the biggest duffer who has kicked a football to a good player. I have always been a good player who has tried to get better. I have got good people around me.

“I have come to a good stage of my career but I am still not happy and want to improve and get better. I think I can talk for a lot of the lads and we have all got a lot of drive and want to do well for the country.”