Raheem Sterling on Colombia coach's bizarre attempt to wind him up as England won World Cup 2018 thriller
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Raheem Sterling says England are determined to do the whole nation proud.
He can sense the growing belief from back home and insists the Three Lions are ready to seize their moment at this World Cup .
Manchester City ­forward Sterling helped England end their 12-year wait to win a knockout game in a major tournament and their penalties hoodoo by beating Colombia on Tuesday.
It is now opening up for ­them with a quarter-final against Sweden on Saturday and there is a glorious chance to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
Sterling said: “Now we have a great chance to go again and do the country proud. It’s hard not to get carried away. But we haven’t won anything yet. We’re in the quarter-finals and we’ve won on penalties, which is something we haven’t managed to do in the past.
(Image: FIFA via Getty)
“It’s about having that belief. We know we’ve still got a long way to go.
“From moment one we had the belief to keep things simple, and now we have a great chance on Saturday. In football it can get boring saying this, but we have to take it step by step. We’re a great group. We’ll recover and get on to the game this weekend.”
Sterling had volunteered to take a penalty if it went to a shoot-out, but he was ­substituted late on so had to just watch the drama unfold.
But he insists that, despite millions of England fans hiding behind their sofas at home, ­Gareth Southgate has given this team a mental strength which can carry them all the way.
“That’s what the gaffer’s instilled in us, and some of the stuff we’ve been doing on the training pitch – the belief we have as a team,” said Sterling.
(Image: REUTERS)
“It’s about repetition, doing it in training. We kept doing that and now it’s paid off.
“Everyone’s buzzing. From the moment we met up we all had ­belief and moments like this you have to take into your hands.
“We were unlucky it went to extra time but the gaffer told us from the get-go, before the tournament even started, there would be ­moments when things might not go our way and that we’d have to dig in. And that’s exactly what we did.”
Sterling also overcame ­Colombia’s attempts at dirty tricks.
As the players left the pitch at half-time Colombia coach Eduardo Urtasun barged into Sterling who said: “I just remember running in and someone stepped in front of me.
(Image: ITV SPORT)
“I just kinda looked back at him. But we knew their gameplan and what they were trying to do. We knew what would get thrown at us and that was kinda silly from him.
“We just keep going and black that out and focus on the ­football. They were a physical team. They were trying to do everything they could to get into our heads but we kept cool – and that’s the most important thing.
“Before the tournament the manager gave us ­everything that could be thrown at us – every possibility from going behind to the opposition trying to get you yellow or red cards. I just tried to get on the ball as much as ­possible and to get behind them as well.
“I was just waiting for the ball to come across and ­hopefully to get my chance. But as long as the team keeps ­winning I’m more than happy.”
Having braved Colombia’s rough-house tactics, Sterling ­insists England will be ready for Sweden.
He added: “I’ve watched pretty much every single game as I can — the other boys, as well. We’ve seen what they’re like, how they play and we will take that in over the next couple of days.
“We have one system and they have theirs. It’s been working well for them and we will ­prepare for the game and solely focus on that.”