After scoring 25 goals in their three group matches, Oli Nugent said the England CP team are heading into Monday’s World Championship quarter final with confidence coursing through their veins.
Andy Smith’s side romped to victory over Japan (11-0), Venezuela (9-0) and the Netherlands (5-0) to top their group with ease. It was the first time an England side has won their group at a Cerebral Palsy World Championship.
And Nugent believes his team-mates could not be in a better position as they prepare to take on USA in the last eight.
He said: “We can’t ask for much more than topping the group with 25 goals from three games.
“The objective was just to win the three games so to score as many goals as we have done is a bonus.
“The way we’ve been playing, the amount of goals we’ve been scoring and the fact we haven’t conceded; I think we’ve got better and better as the tournament has gone on.
“The last three games have helped boost our morale. It was brilliant anyway, but we’re in an even better place now. We’re feeling confident.”
Nugent, who has just started a four-year football scholarship in Texas, said the three group games have been consigned to history and that all the focus is now on beating USA.
He added: “We’ve done our research, we know our tactics and we’re ready for them.
“Every team here wants to win the tournament, obviously, but we really are just taking it one game at a time. It has been working so far.
“We’re just focused on USA and hopefully we can get into the semi-finals.”
He continued: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us; to play for England at a World Championship in Argentina.
“We’re having a great time and we’re relishing every minute.”
