The Everton midfielder has featured in all of the Young Lions’ matches thus far at the European Championship in Malta, but with Sunday’s semi-final against Portugal fast approaching, he says the desire to reach the final remains strong despite the defeat against Holland last time out.
“It was disappointing to get beat as we really wanted to get our 100 per cent record going,” Ledson told TheFA.com. “I think the lads will pick themselves up. We’ve had a bit of down time since the game to get our heads right and the get the team spirit back up and we’ll be ready for the fight against Portugal.
Portugal v England
UEFA European Under-17 Championship Semi-final
The National Stadium, Ta’Qali, Malta,
Kick-off 4.45pm, Sunday 18 May 2014,
Live on Eurosport
“We all want to do well against them and get ourselves to the final.”
The Portuguese will be familiar opposition to many of the England squad. John Peacock’s side were defeated 3-1 by them at Burton Albion back in August before the two nations fought out a 2-2 draw in the Algarve Tournament in February.
Recalling the former encounters, Ledson said: “We got beat against them at Burton, but the squad that day didn’t contain the quality of this one.
“I wasn’t there, but a few of the lads who played against them in the Algarve Tournament said they were a good side, so we always know it will be a tough game against Portugal.
“They always have a good side, so we are going to have to dig deep.”
Ledson, who last week won Everton’s Academy Player of the Year award, added: “This will be up there with one of the biggest games many of us will play in. The semi-finals of a European Championship – it’s massive. It’s what we have been working for all year and we have 80 minutes now to go and give it our all.
“We possess the quality; we just have to hope we can produce it on Sunday to get us through.”
Since arriving in Malta at the beginning of last week, the England team have received plenty of local support – and Ledson says the backing they are getting is lifting the whole team.
“Everyone around the hotel and the island are wishing us good luck. England has a good connection with the Maltese. Since we beat them in the first game, and put on a good show, they have got right behind us and it has given the lads a boost.”
With the four semi-finalists – England, Portugal, Scotland and Holland - now confirmed, Ledson says the tournament is “wide open” for anybody to go on and win it – although he does admit he’s dreamt of lifting the trophy.
“You couldn’t call it – Germany was the massive favourites but they are out. We watched them a few times and they didn’t deserve to go through as Portugal and Scotland were excellent. So it’s wide open now, but obviously we are hoping we can go all the way.”
He continued: “It would be a dream come through for me to lift that trophy. Not many England captains have had that honour.
“For the lads too, they are a great bunch, and it would be amazing to lift it for these boys.
“We’ve been away a while now together. Some squads would get sick of each other after 12 or 13 days but we are getting stronger as the days go on.“I think leading up to Sunday we are getting even stronger and we’ll be right up for it. We’ll give them everything we have and hopefully this tremendous team can get us through.”
England v Portugal will kick-off at 4.45pm on Sunday and will be shown live on Eurosport.
