Jamie Carragher today insisted England’s dreams of World Cup glory are still intact – as he targeted a first competitive start for his country since October 2006.
Liverpool’s vice-captain played the second half of England’s deflating 1-1 draw with the United States on Saturday in Rustenburg and accepts the result leaves Fabio Capello’s squad with no margin for error.
Slovenia’s victory over Algeria yesterday means England must win both their remaining games in Group C if they are to progress but Carragher remains confident of reaching the last 16.
After returning to his hotel in Sun City in the early hours of yesterday morning, he watched a DVD of the match again and is adamant England played better than the result suggested.
“The first game you play is always so hard,” said Carragher. “Look back at the tournaments in which England have done well – the World Cups in 1966 and 1990 and Euro 96 – and you will see they all started with draws.
“I always remember Gerard Houllier saying before the start of the season when we won the treble was that the most difficult game we would play would be the first and he was right; that day we needed a late goal from Emile (Heskey) to beat Bradford.
“No matter how well your preparations have gone, or how good your squad is, you are never going to win 4-0 or 5-0 in the first game – unless you’re Germany! Of course it was disappointing to draw after Stevie had put us in front but the USA are a good side.
“We could have won but credit to them as they fought back and probably deserved the draw. We’ve got a point and now we have just got to make sure we win our remaining games.”
Ledley King’s groin problem has ruled him out of the game against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday and Carragher would love the chance to slot in alongside John Terry, if Capello gives him the nod.
The last time Carragher began a meaningful international fixture was when England were beaten 2-0 by Croatia in Zagreb almost four years ago but, with Michael Dawson also pressing, he is not getting ahead of himself.
“It is up to the manager,” said Carragher. “I realised when I came out here that I was part of the squad, not part of the starting line-up; I was just hoping at one point I’d get a chance to come on.
“To come on so soon was a bonus. I don’t know whether Ledley is going to be out or what the manager’s plans are but, of course, I’d love to start against Algeria. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
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