Lions Roar On In Search Of Final Revenge

PAUL FAIRCLOUGH has hailed England C’s efforts in emerging from their toughest ever International Challenge Trophy group – and told them to now go on and set-up a final re-match with Russia.

The Three Lions had their place in the ICT semi-final confirmed on Wednesday after Italy could only get a draw with the already-qualified Russians.

Mattia Proietti put the Italians, who had to win to knock England out, ahead in the first-half before Ruslan Bolov grabbed a 60th-minute equaliser to help Fairclough’s men through.

England C will now take on Turkey in the semis with the game anticipated to be on home soil.

Fairclough told The NLP: “I’ve been involved in this tournament a while and I have to say I am so pleased because I really believe in this squad we’ve got at the moment and I didn’t want them to go out.

“There is no question we’ve had a really difficult group. It was the hardest group since we’ve been in the tournament.

“We’ve already had Turkey watched and we’ve got a DVD of their recent win against Wales so we’re really, really looking forward to it.

“England booked their place in the latter stages with a 1-1 draw against Italy last February – thanks to Adam Watkins’ late-leveller – and an impressive 2-1 win in Belgium.

Sandwiched in between was a disappointing 4-0 loss in Moscow at the hands of the talented Russians, who take on Norway in the other semi-final.

And Fairclough is eyeing the chance to put the record straight with Russia in a potential final.

“I’m not a good loser and I didn’t like losing the way we did to Russia,” he added.

“I want a good performance against Turkey to give us the chance to face Russia again.”