NOBLE AIMS FOR TOP SPOT
England Under-21s midfielder Mark Noble can't wait to play on the hallowed New Wembley turf for the first time on Friday when he takes on Portugal Under-21s in the crucial European Championships qualifier.
The West Ham man played at the old Wembley twice - once for his school and once for his district in finals - but lost both games. The 21-year-old, who has scored two goals in the qualifiers so far, is hoping to make it third time lucky against the Portuguese.
With this final game to play, England currently top Group three, ahead of Friday's visitors by six points, and need only a draw to ensure a play-off place for the Championships, which begin in Sweden next May.
Noble said of England's home of football: "We have just trained here [at Wembley] and it is a great surface, the atmosphere is going to be great. Hopefully we can do it justice - we want to put a show on for the fans.
"This will be the first time I have played at New Wembley. I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley a couple of times with my school and district. I lost both times and they were finals. So I hope it's third time lucky!
"The most import thing is winning - we have to win and finish our group campaign off with a bang. We know we are nearly though but we want that top spot."
England Under-21s midfielder Mark Noble can't wait to play on the hallowed New Wembley turf for the first time on Friday when he takes on Portugal Under-21s in the crucial European Championships qualifier.
The West Ham man played at the old Wembley twice - once for his school and once for his district in finals - but lost both games. The 21-year-old, who has scored two goals in the qualifiers so far, is hoping to make it third time lucky against the Portuguese.
With this final game to play, England currently top Group three, ahead of Friday's visitors by six points, and need only a draw to ensure a play-off place for the Championships, which begin in Sweden next May.
Noble said of England's home of football: "We have just trained here [at Wembley] and it is a great surface, the atmosphere is going to be great. Hopefully we can do it justice - we want to put a show on for the fans.
"This will be the first time I have played at New Wembley. I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley a couple of times with my school and district. I lost both times and they were finals. So I hope it's third time lucky!
"The most import thing is winning - we have to win and finish our group campaign off with a bang. We know we are nearly though but we want that top spot."
Labels: England Under-21s, Mark Noble, Portugal
