Jermain Defoe driven by desire to ease his World Cup heartache

Simon Johnson
13 Aug 2009

Jermain Defoe admits the painful memory of missing out on the last World Cup is inspiring him to produce the best form of his England career.

The striker came off the bench to score a superb brace in the friendly against Holland last night and secure a 2-2 draw after Fabio Capello's side trailed by two goals at half-time.

The Tottenham star is desperate to secure a permanent place in the Italian's squad with England just one win away from qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa, 10 months from now.

In pictures: Holland v England

Defoe is still haunted by what happened on the eve of the last World Cup tournament, in Germany, three years ago, when former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson left him out in favour of the then inexperienced Theo Walcott.

He was given a brief glimmer of hope when Eriksson invited him to train with the squad because of Wayne Rooney's struggle to recover from a broken metatarsal but was then released when the Manchester United star declared himself fit.

Defoe said: "What happened to me in the last World Cup is a massive motivation.

"Sometimes people say that disappointment is a blessing. If things go your way all the time in life then you may get complacent.

"You want that fire in your belly and this time I have it because of what happened in 2006. I don't want to go through that again. I just want to make sure I am on the plane this time.

"It's only normal when the World Cup comes around that you think about the previous one. I wasn't there at the last one, I was so close.

"I want to make sure I'm there. Playing in the World Cup is the pinnacle. Obviously it's a long way off and I just want to have a good season and keep myself fit."

Defoe's display will have come as a major blow to Michael Owen's hopes of a recall.

Owen has been largely ignored by Capello since the Italian boss took charge in December 2007 and is undoubtedly in competition with the Spurs man for an England place.

But Defoe believes he will be undroppable if he keeps up his current form and added: "I think this was my best game for England.

"I have heard a lot about Michael and what his move to Manchester United could do. But I'm 26 and I feel strong and sharp."

He is certainly in pole position as far as Capello is concerned. "Defoe is one of the best English strikers," said the coach.

"He's very fast, technically he's good and he's always in front of the goal."

At the opposite end of the pitch, Robert Green insists he finally feels comfortable playing in goal for England.

The West Ham player said: "This was the most comfortable I've felt in the international scene."

In pictures: Holland v England