Wednesday 1 August 2012

GB v Uruguay preview: Park the bus and it's the end of the road warns Sturridge


Daniel Sturridge fears his Great Britain side will come unstuck in their all-or-nothing Olympics clash with Uruguay if they just play for a draw.

 Stuart Pearce's men only need a point from Wednesday night's showdown at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to progress into Saturday's quarter-finals.

 But Chelsea striker Sturridge says the Brits must go all-out to win, warning that Uruguay - one of the pre-tournament favourites - will be dangerous after a surprise loss to Senegal on Sunday left them facing group-phase elimination.

 Sturridge said: "When a draw is good enough to see you through, it's always an awkward one.

 "You find yourself playing for a draw, [then] they get a goal and then you have to open up. "You kind of want to get a goal early doors and then try to see it out if you can. "It's always difficult when you've got to get a point.

 "It's better when you have to win the game because then you want to attack and show an attacking mentality. But now you know the other team is going to be attacking you and you have to be mentally ready for that. "Uruguay are a very good team.

 (Edinson) Cavani is a great individual. We know he's been performing well over the last couple of seasons and also they have Luis Suarez.

 "It's better when you have to win the game because then you want to attack and show an attacking mentality.

 I'm sure this will be the game they'll be looking to show how good they really are." Sturridge scored with a spectacular chip in Sunday's win over UAE , but had only been a second half substitute as he battles his way back to full match fitness after being struck by viral meningitis last month.

 He is expected to start against Uruguay however, and the Chelsea attacker says he is relishing the chance to prove himself as a centre-forward, having been forced to play wide for much of his career at Stamford Bridge. Sturridge added: "It was fantastic to play at Wembley and score a goal.

 "The manager is playing me in a centre-forward role and I feel more comfortable there and hope to show my capabilities. "I'm not focusing on anything but the Olympics. Just to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience for myself, something special, is something you dream about.

 "As a footballer you never think you'd get the opportunity to be part of something like this so for me I've actually not been focusing on anything but this. I'm delighted to be here."

 Pearce's squad has a clean bill of health. Captain Ryan Giggs, who had a tight hamstring against UAE, is set to lead out the team in Cardiff.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 
Design by Free WordPress Themes | Bloggerized by Lasantha - Premium Blogger Themes | Hot Sonakshi Sinha, Car Price in India