|
|
Jermain Defoe: I Know I Can Score Goals & If I Make The Runs Wayne Rooney Will Find Me
Striker ready for Swiss trip despite injury concerns.
Sep 4, 2010 3:40:00 AM
By Alex Fisher
England manager Fabio Capello’s faith in Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney was rewarded tonight as the two strikers tormented Bulgaria in the Three Lions’ 4-0 victory at Wembley. Defoe grabbed himself a hat-trick and Rooney delivered three assists as England sealed a comfortable win in their first Euro 2012 qualification match.
And speaking to ITV Sport after the game Defoe was delighted to have scored his first hattrick for England. “It’s always nice to score,” he said.
“And it’s special [to get a hattrick]. People know what I’m good at, I know I can score goals, I’m always moving, and I try to take my chances and always hit target.”
Defoe was quick to praise his strike partner Rooney who created two of his three goals, as well as Adam Johnson’s first international goal, and the Tottenham striker insisted the relationship will continue to improve.
"Obviously when you play with a partner it takes a bit of time to gel but Wazza [Rooney] is a great player and technically gifted. Like I've said before, if I make the runs he'll find me and he did tonight.” He added.
"When I got the second he said 'keep going and you'll get the third' and it's always nice when you play with a partner and he wants you to get the hat-trick. It's good."
Goalkeeper Joe Hart kept England in the game at 1-0 and Defoe was full of praise for England’s new number one.
“Especially in the second half [he played well], there was a one-on-one and he made a great save. He's been like that all season for his club. What a prospect he is.”
The Tottenham striker had been a doubt for the squad due to a troublesome groin injury picked up playing for his club, “I had felt my groin, it was a bit sore but I’ve been doing some core work and been in the gym and I felt good tonight.”
And the striker was quick to confirm that he would be fit for Tuesday’s trip to Switzerland despite being substituted after scoring his third goal.
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
And speaking to ITV Sport after the game Defoe was delighted to have scored his first hattrick for England. “It’s always nice to score,” he said.
“And it’s special [to get a hattrick]. People know what I’m good at, I know I can score goals, I’m always moving, and I try to take my chances and always hit target.”
Defoe was quick to praise his strike partner Rooney who created two of his three goals, as well as Adam Johnson’s first international goal, and the Tottenham striker insisted the relationship will continue to improve.
"Obviously when you play with a partner it takes a bit of time to gel but Wazza [Rooney] is a great player and technically gifted. Like I've said before, if I make the runs he'll find me and he did tonight.” He added.
"When I got the second he said 'keep going and you'll get the third' and it's always nice when you play with a partner and he wants you to get the hat-trick. It's good."
Goalkeeper Joe Hart kept England in the game at 1-0 and Defoe was full of praise for England’s new number one.
“Especially in the second half [he played well], there was a one-on-one and he made a great save. He's been like that all season for his club. What a prospect he is.”
The Tottenham striker had been a doubt for the squad due to a troublesome groin injury picked up playing for his club, “I had felt my groin, it was a bit sore but I’ve been doing some core work and been in the gym and I felt good tonight.”
And the striker was quick to confirm that he would be fit for Tuesday’s trip to Switzerland despite being substituted after scoring his third goal.
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.