Ferdinand targets family first

Anton Ferdinand is following in famous footsteps. The West Ham United FC centre-back is looking to emulate his brother, senior England defender Rio, by establishing himself as a defensive force to be reckoned with. It is a weighty ambition, but many believe he has the talent to achieve it - and what better way than to claim a trophy that eluded his elder sibling: the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Established
Despite his youth, Ferdinand is already an established Premier League performer. In 2005/06 he played a major role as West Ham came within a minute of winning the FA Cup, just missing out on his club's young player of the year award. He faced a very different battle this campaign, helping the Hammers turn around a terrible season and climb out of the relegation places on the final day. Now he has a chance to take centre stage in the Netherlands, after England clinched their place in the finals by beating Germany 3-0 on aggregate in a play-off. It completed an impressive route to the last eight, and Ferdinand is buoyant about England's chances.

'Great chance'
"We can hold our own," says Ferdinand, who was ever-present in qualifying. "We have got a great set of lads, and it is more like a club atmosphere than a team where we meet once a year or once every other month. The banter flows among the boys, and it's just like we're around each other every day. We have got a great chance, and have great self-confidence. If you don't have that, there is no point being there." England's failure to qualify for the 2006 finals because of a last-gasp penalty by France has intensified Ferdinand's resolve.

Character
Such thoughts, however, were set aside as he won the man of the match award in the 1-0 first-leg victory against Germany. "It wasn't playing too much on my mind, but I didn't want to feel like that again," he said. "That was last year, though, and this is this year's championship and we are in it. To give two great performances against a good side like Germany shows the character we've got." The U21 team's strength is shown by the fact that Ferdinand's good friend Micah Richards - ruled out of the finals through injury - has already earned promotion to the senior side. "It gives you hope," said the Londoner.

Pressure player
"I was going to be brought into the [2006 FIFA] World Cup squad on standby but I had a double hernia operation. That was really upsetting. But that's football for you, and hopefully I will get another chance. If I do, I am going to go there and take it with both hands." For now he is focusing on the U21 finals and, insisting he "plays best under pressure", he is relishing the opportunity. "I am looking forward to it. It can only be good for us young players, as it's going to show the England manager we can play at a top tournament. If you do that then you never know what can happen."

Family 'dream'
The Ferdinand family is now dreaming of seeing Anton line-up at UEFA EURO 2008™ alongside Rio, who also began at West Ham. "That is a dream of mine, a dream of my family's and a dream of his. It is down to me now to make that dream come true. It would be fantastic." A good performance in the Netherlands would certainly go a long way to making that happen.