'We can show English game has a good future'

By Nick Teale
 
Thomas Cruise wants to prove English football has a good future by helping the Three Lions achieve success at the Under-19 European Championships.
 
A disappointing World Cup has left many English fans concerned about the future of their national team. But Cruise wants to show those supporters that the Three Lions do have a bright future.

"Obviously the first team didn't do the best in South Africa," he said. "But we can prove most of the people wrong by doing well in this tournament and showing that there can be a good future in English football.

"The press we've had back at home is quite surprising because it's the Under-19s but I suppose everyone in England wants to see what the future might be.

"It hasn't changed much for us all though, not many of us take that much interest in it as we're here in France and just trying to focus on the job in hand."

England reached the Semi-Finals after a 1-1 draw with France in the final group game on Saturday. Austria's win over Netherlands meant that even defeat would have sent the Three Lions through - but not all of the England players knew what was happening in the other match.

"When there was only ten minutes to go a few of us heard Austria were winning from the sidelines," said Cruise. "I was one of them who heard and when the goal went in, there was a real buzz on the pitch.

"But once we got off the pitch and all heard the news [that they were through], it was the best feeling.

"There was such a good feeling among us, it was like a win really with the way we played and the way we ended the game.

"I couldn't sleep that night and I think there was a few of us like that, because you're still feeling the adrenalin and that often happens after a game."

"We've had a hard group with Holland and France, who are obviously the hosts and then Austria. All three performed well I thought so it was good for us to get out of the Group Stages and I thought we were worthy of our place in the Semi.

"We now play Spain and it's going to be a hard game, but I think we've got a good chance.

"They are going to be a good technical side, Spain usually are at all age groups. I think if we can play as well as we can, similar to how we did against France then we have every chance of going through."

And if that game goes to penalties?
 
"I'll go up," said Cruise. "I'll go first!"

"We've been practising them in training since we first met up. We usually take two each and it's good fun to take them, but hopefully it won't go to penalties on Tuesday and we'll win the match before then."

[Tuesday, July 27, 2010]

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