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Last Updated: Tuesday, 8 November 2005, 10:12 GMT
Robinson expects intense friendly
Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson
It's a chance to play against a team as strong as us
England goalkeeper Paul Robinson
England goalkeeper Paul Robinson expects the friendly game with Argentina to be fiercely competitive.

"It's a friendly but I don't think it will be played like a friendly because it's a game with an eye on the World Cup," Robinson told www.thefa.com.

The meeting between two of the sides tipped to win the 2006 World Cup will be played in Geneva on Saturday.

Robinson said: "We may meet again in the finals and it's a chance to play against a team as strong as us."

Spurs keeper Robinson has painful memories of the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico, when England were the victims of Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal.

"There's a great history between the sides. I remember the 1986 game, that was the first World Cup I really remember. I watched it and I was absolutely gutted afterwards," he added.

"Maradona was a cheat but he got away with it. It's still talked about now but it's a very long time ago. We won't be thinking or looking back at that, we will be taking the game on its merit and hopefully getting a result."

The two countries met again in the 1998 World Cup when Argentina triumphed on penalties after David Beckham was sent off, although he scored from the spot in England's 1-0 win in Japan four years later.

"I remember we beat them in the last World Cup and now we have a chance to do it again," said Robinson.

England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, meanwhile, has revealed his shock at the criticism he has had to suffer because of his lack of goals.

Crouch, 24, is in the England squad to play Argentina but has yet to score in 14 outings for Liverpool since signing for �7m in the summer.

"I've not been unduly affected by the criticism because of our fans' support," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It has taken me aback just how negative other people have been."

The 6ft 7in forward added: "I suppose that's what happens if you don't get on the scoresheet and I'm learning that when you join a high profile club you become an instant target.

"Things are scrutinised a lot more here but as long as I'm doing a job which the manager, my team-mates and the fans are happy with, I won't let it get me down."

Crouch has also failed to score in two appearances for England and he seemed to bear the wrath of England's supporters after he came on for the popular Shaun Wright-Phillips in the World Cup qualifier against Poland last month.

I am not worried about Rio - for me he is the most complete central defender in this country
Eriksson on Ferdinand

Meanwhile Tony Adams has told BBC Radio Five Live that Eriksson should look at playing defender Rio Ferdinand in a holding midfield role against Argentina.

Adams would pick Sol Campbell and John Terry as his first-choice central defensive partnership.

He said: "Rio is very comfortable playing at the back. His distribution is fantastic, probably better than Sol Campbell's.

"Sooner or later you're going to have to defend in that position, and that's why I've picked Sol.

"There's a lot of talk about that position at the moment. I know he's very comfortable on the ball and he's worth looking at."


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