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Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe spurred on by omission from England's 2006 World Cup squad
Striker remembers pain of 2006...
12 Nov 2009 15:28:41
By Zack Wilson
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that the disappointment he experienced at being left out of the England squad for the World Cup of 2006 is a key factor in his motivation to do well at next summer's tournament in South Africa.
Defoe was something of a surprise omission by then-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who opted to take a callow Theo Walcott to Germany instead.
"Missing out in 2006 was a difficult time because I was involved in every squad beforehand so, at the back of my mind, I thought I must have a good chance of going," the Spurs striker said, according to Press Association Sport.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that the disappointment he experienced at being left out of the England squad for the World Cup of 2006 is a key factor in his motivation to do well at next summer's tournament in South Africa.
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Defoe was something of a surprise omission by then-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who opted to take a callow Theo Walcott to Germany instead.
"Missing out in 2006 was a difficult time because I was involved in every squad beforehand so, at the back of my mind, I thought I must have a good chance of going," the Spurs striker said, according to Press Association Sport.
"When the squad was announced, I was on stand-by so it came as a shock to me, especially as I felt that I should have gone to the finals.
"What happened in 2006 makes me even more determined to get in this time around for the finals in South Africa. I think that is only normal when you miss out on a major tournament.
"I want to make sure that this time I'm on the plane. What happened then makes you stronger and I'm more experienced now and stronger physically and a better player."
Defoe has missed the last two internationals with injury and admitted to being frustrated at being compelled to watch from the sidelines.
"It was frustrating but I had broken my finger and it wasn't right and I only played 20 minutes against Bolton," he explained."I shouldn't have played then and should have rested for three weeks but I wanted to be involved and I was also getting stick from my mum. She said, 'you can't miss a game with a broken finger!'
"But I knew it wasn't right and you have got to be right to play at this level (with England).
"Did I have fears about missing out on a squad at this juncture? Not really. I've always said to myself, just stay positive, keep doing the business for the club, keep working hard, keep getting your goals - and hopefully that is enough to get into the squad.
"Peter Crouch came in last time and scored two goals and I have always said, when you get an opportunity, you have got to take it, because there are so many players that can come in and do a great job.
"It is important to come in and try and make an impact and, in the games recently where I've come on, I've done that and I hope I am in a better position now than in 2006.
"But I don't want to get complacent and, for me, it is important to have a good season and see what happens."
And Defoe is cautiously optimistic that Fabio Capello's squad can be successful in South Africa.
"There is a still a long way to go. It is a long season for all the players in one of the hardest leagues in the world and we just hope no-one gets injured and we go out there with a good, strong squad."I think we have got a good chance but I don't want to say too much," he said.
"First you have got to get out there and get off to a good start, which is always important."
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