We’ll hold our nerve, vows Lampard

England veteran confident they will seal World Cup spot.

LONDON: Frank Lampard is confident England will keep their composure against Poland at Wembley tomorrow and secure a place at next year’s World Cup finals.

England head into the game top of European qualifying zone Group H following Friday’s 4-1 win over Montenegro at Wembley.

But to seal their place at Brazil 2014 they must beat Poland, assuming closest group rivals Ukraine, as widely forecast, defeat minnows San Marino.

Poland themselves can no longer qualify but Lampard knows from painful experience there is no such thing as an England international at Wembley where the opposition have ‘nothing to play for’.

In June, England held Brazil to a 2-2 draw in a friendly international at Rio’s iconic Maracana Stadium and Lampard, who will be 36 by the time of next year’s World Cup, would love nothing more than to play there again.

“If you are playing for your country, you want to be at the World Cup there and that’s why it’s a huge game on Tuesday [tomorrow],” said Lampard.

“There is a lot of desire. Me and Stevie (Gerrard) have been here a long time and I think that is pushing us on.

“I believe we will hold our nerve. Everyone loves playing at Wembley and they have some big-name players in their team so they will want to come here and put on a show regardless of whether they have qualified or not,” insisted Lampard, who will win his 102nd cap if he plays against Poland.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2013.

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