By SHAUN CUSTIS
ASHLEY COLE says the moment he clapped eyes on Wayne Rooney he believed England were destined to win a trophy.
But Cole joins the centurions club against Brazil at Wembley tonight still frustrated at the Three Lions’ failure to bag any silverware.
Chelsea star Cole was in the England side the night Rooney made his international debut as a 17-year-old against Australia 10 years ago.
And the crack left-back knows the 2014 World Cup could be his last chance to fill the one gaping hole in his illustrious CV.
Cole said: “When we had Wayne Rooney coming through we thought ‘He is on fire. This is our chance to get some goals and win something’.
“We just haven’t had that luck. We keep seeming to go out on penalties. Unfortunately we’ve not progressed as much as players as we think we deserve to.
“I never want to go to another World Cup just to be in the record books again for playing in six tournaments or four World Cups.
“I want to go there to fight for my place and win something in an England shirt.”
England still have to qualify to get to Brazil which is no formality as they trail Montenegro — who they play next month — by two points.
But Cole is optimistic that success is on the horizon. He added: “Gary Neville said he thought it was a waste of time playing for England because he has not won anything and I kind of understand where he was coming from.
“But a lot of our players have won things and have the attitude that we need to win.
“All of them would love to do that.
“Even to get to a final and share it with the country would be a great achievement.
“Now, with the young players coming through I believe we have a great chance.”
Cole was first picked by England in 2001 and made his debut against Albania in March of that year.
He recalled: “I’d played four games for the Under-21s, was playing reserve football, and I was on the bench a few times for Arsenal first team — to get the call-up to the senior team was one of disbelief.
“It was a big step up and nerve-racking to be put in that situation. There were the likes of Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Steve McManaman and Becks. I’d only seen Becks in the paper and on TV.”
A year later they were in Japan together and went out in the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup to Ronaldinho’s wonder goal.
Tonight Ronaldinho and Cole will be on opposite sides again.
Cole said: “You just have to look at the players they have called up to their squad — Ronaldinho and Neymar. There are so many great players.
“They are one of the best teams you can play against so to win my 100th cap against them is going to be amazing.
“That Brazil game in 2002 was disappointing for us. It was a great goal from Ronaldinho but we had chances. I felt we could have won.”
For the first time in his England career Cole is facing some serious competition for his place.Everton’s Leighton Baines has been sensational this season. But Cole says if he ever loses out to Baines he will accept it and try to win his place back.
He insisted: “If Leighton is playing well and plays in front of me, it’s going to benefit the team.
“I’m not going to moan or say I should be playing. We are a big squad. We are all great players.
“If there comes a time — and there will — when I am not first choice, it won’t be a problem.
“I am not going to quit just because someone is playing better than me or deserves to play.
“I enjoy being with the manager and the players. I enjoy the atmosphere in the squad.
“It is stiff competition but I have had it so many times, from Wayne Bridge and so many other players who were going to take my place. I just get my head down and keep fighting.
“From being a little boy from the East End, you never think you would get a chance to represent your country.
“I am proud, privileged and overwhelmed by how many times I have played for England. I hope it doesn’t stop here.
“I never expected to play for Arsenal or England. To play for my country 100 times is amazing.
“When I retire I will look back and think I achieved something not many other people have done.
“Along with people like Becks, Shilton and Steven Gerrard it is a great achievement for me.”
Every one of Cole’s 99 caps has been a start. But there is a big fat zero in the goals scored column for his country.
He laughed: “Everyone always tells me I have never scored. I don’t think I’ve had a shot.
“I would like to get a goal for England but I’m not a goalscorer, it’s not my job.”
No, defending is Cole’s job and, love him or hate him, it is impossible to argue that he has not done it very well.
