Potter craving first goal for Ireland

SCORING his first goal for Ireland against Mexico today would make Darren Potter the happiest Scouser in Al Ain.

The Liverpool midfielder has revelled in representing his adopted country and would love nothing more than to break his scoring duck to confirm Ireland's passage through to the last 16 of UAE 2003.

"I've never scored for Ireland so it would be nice to get off the mark in this game," said Potter, selected as the Irish Examiner's National Junior Sports Star for soccer last March. "Last season I chipped in with about six or seven. So far this season back in England I haven't got any. That's the major part of my game I'm looking to try and step up; getting forward more and scoring more goals."

With rousing performances yielding four points from games with Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast, Ireland are proud joint-leaders with the Africans of Group E.

As it stands, Ireland need at least a draw to make the knockout stages, though a 1-0 defeat may be enough.

Winning the group is the target, however, as that would mean staying in Al Ain for a match against runners-up from Group D next Tuesday.

With Saudi Arabia playing Ivory Coast in the first match at the Sheikh Khalifah Stadium, Ireland meet the Mexicans knowing what they will have to do when they kick-off at 8.30pm local time.

"We've got four points from two games so we're all very confident," said Potter. "We've watched a couple of videos of the Mexicans and we've spotted a couple of weaknesses which we think we can exploit.

"We're looking forward to the game and hopefully getting the right result. While we won't take them lightly, compared to Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast, we fancy our chances. It's looking good.

"We're so close now to reaching the last 16. Once you get to that stage anything can happen in a one-off game. "Mexico are a good side and will have to go for it as they need to win the game. We are ready for that challenge.

"We both need something from he match so it's gong to be a real dogfight.

"The objective was to win the group. That's what we hoped for. At this stage we will take going anywhere as long as it's not home.

"They have good players. Good passers of the ball and tricky front players who could cause us problems if we allow it. But so have we. I'm not overplaying any team. We have a good team and we've been very competitive so far." Also eligible to play for England, Potter has no regrets at declaring for Ireland two years ago. After all, Brian Kerr had the grace to ask first.

"I'm not Irish born, but going out there to play in the Irish colours is fantastic for me, especially playing in a World Cup," said Potter.

"I might not have got this opportunity if I'd waited [for England] and not come to play for Ireland. While I'm not totally Irish, I've got the connections so I think that I've got just as much right to play and represent the country."

Coming across the England team, already out having lost both their games so far in a shopping centre in Dubai on Thursday must have left Potter in little doubt he had made the right call.

While England left many of their best players at home, Potter is delighted with the opportunity to further his football education on the world stage.

"It's a major step up for me and all the lads," said Potter.

"I'm playing reserve football at Liverpool and, no disrespect to them, as there are some very good players playing that, but this is the best of the best from every country in the World.

"To get the chance to maybe play against the likes of Brazil further on in the competition would be a great experience. The challenge that you have to meet here against these teams is something we've all relished." Though he has no injury concerns, Smith may freshen up the team with one or two changes from Tuesday's rousing 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast.

The game will be shown live on Eurosport at 4 pm.