Tue Apr 29 18:10:09 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Revitalized Riise looks ahead to second leg

---

Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Liverpool defender John Arne Riise insists he has recovered from the anguish of scoring an own goal in last week's Champions League semifinal first leg clash against Chelsea at Anfield.

The Norway international is determined to atone for his last-gasp error when the two teams meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with the prize of a place in the Moscow Final at stake.

The semifinal tie is evenly poised at 1-1 going into the second leg, with Riise saying: "We had a day off the day after the game and I went through things in my head then.

"I just went home and I didn't want to speak to anyone, I just had to think about it myself. I realized you just have to move on and now I think I have. All you can do is focus on upcoming games, not ones that have gone before.

"For me the biggest thing was the timing of the goal, the last kick of the game and such an important game too. That was the most disappointing thing for me and everyone in the team.

"But mentally I'm very strong anyway and I managed to get things quickly out of my mind. Coming back on Saturday was all that mattered to me and now it's Wednesday - just thinking about doing well if I get the chance there.

"Nobody wants to score an own goal but people make mistakes - and nobody will blame me if it's 0-0 on Wednesday and we don't go through.

"But nobody is even thinking about that, we're going to try and get a win and hopefully we'll get it. Then the first leg result and the own goal won't matter. We know we can do it. It's a case of going there, having a go and knowing we can score. We're positive and know we can get a result.

"It's a big game and it's going to be a cracking night so hopefully we can come up winners in the end.

"We have to respect Chelsea for the team they are. They beat Manchester United on Saturday and haven't lost at home for God knows how many games so I think we have to respect that beforehand - but records are there to be broken."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)