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Robert Green
Oh dear: an error from Robert Green could have seen Sergey Ostapenko give the hosts the lead but the effort was ruled offside

Keeper Robert Green says he’s now got a taste for a starting place

Simon Johnson
8 Jun 2009


Robert Green has admitted he was disappointed with his first start as England keeper in Kazakhstan but still has high hopes of establishing himself as first choice under coach Fabio Capello.

Green made one big error when the game was still goalless after misjudging a free kick which allowed Sergey Ostapenko to head in, however the goal was disallowed for offside.

Asked about his performance in the 4-0 win on Saturday, the West Ham keeper said: “It was not the greatest. I think, along with the rest of the guys, we would have liked to have done better.

“It was a difficult game, but one we've come through with a good result. Maybe not the greatest of performances, but one we'll take. We kept chances down to a minimum, but we knew there would be a storm to ride and we've done that.”

“It's my aim to be England No1 at the next World Cup. It's been an ambition and a dream and to have my first start and to have the memories of winning is more than pleasing.

“Coming away with seven wins out of seven is the next focus and if we win on Wednesday we know we will be a long way ahead of the rest of the group and we'll know that we've done our job over the last 10 days.”

Saturday's win edges England closer to the World Cup in South Africa next year and three more points against Andorra will leave Capello's team requiring only three points from as many matches to make it through to the finals.

After scoring his sixth goal of the campaign striker Wayne Rooney, who was joined on the scoresheet in Almaty by Gareth Barry, Emile Heskey and Frank Lampard hailed the team's attacking threat.

The Manchester United striker said: “I was delighted to score. In the end it was a good result with four goals and the win.

“There were four different scorers and that is good for the team. Steven Gerrard scored 20-odd goals this season, Frank Lampard too and Emile (Heskey) now has two in his last two for England. There are a lot of players who can score goals in the team.”

Rooney's United team-mate Rio Ferdinand has lost his fitness battle to face Andorra and will miss the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Ferdinand's calf injury, which he was carrying before United's Champions League final defeat against Barcelona, had already ruled him out of the win over Kazakhstan and Capello today admitted: “We spoke with the physio at United and he is not okay.”

Matthew Upson deputised in Ferdinand's place against Kazakhstan, and Capello also has Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill in his squad.

Elsewhere in the defence, there could be a change at right-back after Glen Johnson struggled in Almaty and winger Shaun Wright-Phillips ended up playing in his place after the break.

“Johnson had some problems and Wright-Phillips played some times at right-back,” said Capello.
“I put Wright-Phillips in because I needed a different movement in running. Sometimes I try with different players to change the game.”

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