The Tottenham Hotspur youngster bravely headed England U17s into a first half lead during the 1-1 draw with Portugal at the Algarve Tournament, and it is a moment the forward says he will never forget.
“I was really happy to get [a goal]. I had a chance before where I should have scored, so I was delighted to finish that one,” he told TheFA.com.
Portugal 1-1 England
The Algarve Tournament
Sunday 15 February 2015
Nora Stadium, Ferreiras, Portugal
“Andre [Green] headed it back across the box, and as it was coming I just tried to jump my highest – the keeper was flying out and I thought he was going to catch me, but it’s always worth it to get a goal.
“It was one of the proudest moments of my life so far, and it feels like my hard work was rewarded.”
He continued: “I don’t get many headers either, so that made it even more special.
“And everyone came over to celebrate with me. Cameron [Humphreys] jumped on me, but he’s quite heavy and he nearly crushed me!”
Despite the joy of getting off the mark for the Young Lions, Sterling admits to feeling frustrated that he and his team-mates could not hold on for the win – especially due to the circumstances of the equaliser.
Portugal levelled when the referee awarded an indirect free-kick inside the area after Will Huffer was adjudged to have held the ball for too long. The Leeds United goalkeeper saved the first strike after a lay-off, but Goncalo Vieira stabbed home the rebound to share the spoils.
Sterling celebrates his first England goal with his team-mates
“It was quite a lucky goal for them, and I felt we linked quite well upfront with me Lukas [Nmecha] and Marcus [Edwards],” said Sterling.
“They didn’t threaten us that much, but throughout your career you will get decisions from the referee like that go against you, so we just have to get on with.
“We started much more confident today, not sitting as deep and pushing up. We kept the ball well in there half, which relieved the pressure on our centre-backs.”
Sterling is enjoying a rollercoaster ride of emotions during his first week as an international. From hitting a huge low after the 7-0 defeat in their opening match against Holland to the high of hitting the net, the Spurs man is sampling it all.
And with one game left in the tournament to impress, he hopes to do enough to earn another shot on the international stage at next month’s European Championship Elite Round qualifiers.
“It’s been an experience,” he added. “It’s my first time being away and I’ve had to get to know everyone. The football is a lot quicker and physical too – so you need to be at your best.
“But I definitely want more. We’ve got one more match left and I hope I can do enough in that to be called up again.
“It’ll be another really good experience coming up against such a good footballing side like Germany.
“We all want to get a win, and after the first game, if we can end the week with a victory then that will be what everyone remembers - we want to end on a high.“
