England go in search of Israel win

Adjust font size:

TEL AVIV, Israel -- England captain John Terry is determined to erase memories of their "heartbreaking" defeat against Croatia and go all-out for victory over Israel in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.

England slipped to third place in Group E with a sorry 2-0 defeat to Croatia last autumn, heaping pressure on new coach Steve McClaren who took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup.

Terry, back in action after a suffering concussion in Chelsea's League Cup final win over Arsenal, is fully aware of the significance of the match.

"Certainly coming into it there's a lot on this game, everyone knows we need to win this game and nothing else.

"As a group of players we are wanting to improve on the last performances and get up the table to where we belong.

"To watch over (the Croatia defeat) again has been heartbreaking, to be honest. We owe the fans, ourselves and the manager. "I don't like to see us where we are at the moment.

"We can't come here and say a draw is a good result. At the moment a draw will not be good enough for us."

England were given a pre-match boost as defender Micah Richards trained for the first time this week after being injured playing for club side Manchester City at the weekend.

Richards is expected to come in for the experience Gary Neville who was already ruled out through injury.

"As long as he comes through (training) everyone will be fit," said McClaren who also revealed that center-back Jonathan Woodgate could be fit for the midweek qualifier against Andorra.

Center of attention

But it is the Israel game that is the center of attention and Terry believes his team are up to the challenge.

"We understand Israel is a tough place to come and play football. "They have some very good players in their team, they are a very good side, very professional. But we must win.

"We are very serious and focused and aware what threats there are to England - and one thing coming out of everyone's mouths are we need a win and three points."

McClaren wants the players to make the fans proud in Saturday's qualifier.

"We all realise what is expected of us...the talking has to stop. We have to start delivering on the pitch and that's what we aim to do starting tomorrow," McClaren told a news conference on Friday.

"I have looked forward to this clash since the (loss) to Croatia, the atmosphere (will be intense)...this is where we have to produce...a performance the fans can be proud of," he said.

England have dropped to third in Group E and have lost two and drawn two of their last four games, including friendlies.

The team were booed off the pitch at the end of their last match, a 1-0 friendly defeat to Spain in February.

England and Israel both have seven points from four games. Croatia top Group E with 10 points and Russia are second with eight.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Neighbor: Shoeless Tiger Woods snored on lawn
• Dozens dead in Pakistan mosque attack
• Faith takes front row seat in boxing fight
• Director Roman Polanski freed on bail
• Jury begins deliberating in Amanda Knox case

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)