Walcott wants England to go for the kill

07 September 2013 12:31

Theo Walcott insists England will go for the kill in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson's team moved to the top of Group H on goal difference with a 4-0 win over Moldova at Wembley on Friday.

England have a game in hand on second placed Montenegro and are one point ahead of third placed Ukraine, meaning a victory in Kiev would put them firmly on course to qualify for next year's finals in Brazil.

Some pundits expect England to adopt a safety-first defensive approach in the Olympic Stadium, but Arsenal winger Walcott, expected to start on Tuesday, says that would be the wrong thing to do.

"We always go in to games trying to win them. We don't want to go out there and try to get a draw. That's when we could be caught on the break," Walcott said.

"We have a lot of pace in this team. They will have to come at us and I think that could work in our favour."

Kiev holds fond memories for Walcott as the city played host to the stunning volley he scored against Sweden at Euro 2012.

He is looking forward to going back to the Ukrainian capital, but is aware that the hosts will be desperate to secure another victory having boosted their goal difference with a 9-0 win over San Marino on Friday.

"It's going to be really nice looking for that goal again and I go there feeling very confident as do the team as well," Walcott said.

"That was a great occasion for myself scoring that night but I need to concentrate on getting the points now on Tuesday.

"They did very well on Friday. They scored nine goals so they will go in to the match on a positive note."

Meanwhile, Walcott's England team-mate Gary Cahill wants Hodgson's men to mark Frank Lampard's 100th cap with a victory in Kiev.

Lampard, currently on 99 caps, is set to become the eighth England player to reach the century milestone and Chelsea colleague Cahill wants to mark the 35-year-old's special occasion with a win that will move them three points clear at the top of the group.

"It's great for Frank," Cahill said. "I hope for him that he gets the 100th cap on Tuesday and I hope that we get the win as well so it will be a good night.

"It's fantastic to think what he has achieved in his international career."

Even though Montenegro's 1-1 draw against Poland left England in a strong position, Cahill is aware that the team will be back to square one if they lose at the Olympic Stadium.

"It's nice that we got a clean sheet and a convincing win, but it doesn't change the job that we have got to do," he added.

"Even though Montenegro drew we still know what is ahead of us."

Source: AFP