By Matthew Jones
June 22 2002

Kieron Dyer believes England's lack of experience cost them a World Cup semi-final place but says he is confident they can win Euro 2004. Kieron Dyer believes England's lack of experience cost them a World Cup semi-final place but says he is confident they can win Euro 2004.

The Magpies midfielder replaced West Ham's Trevor Sinclair 10 minutes into the second half of yesterday quarter-final showdown with Brazil.

But he could not inspire a fightback as goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldinho either side of half time cancelled out Michael Owen's 22nd-minute opener to send Sven Goran Eriksson's brave troops packing.

And Dyer admits that England's young squad finally paid for their lack of experience as they failed to break down the 10-man Samba stars, after Ronaldinho had been sent off, but says that their tender ages bode well for future success and says the squad should be confident of winning the European Championships in 2004.

He said: "The telling factor in the end was our experience and our lack it in the second half. But in two years we will be older and wiser and better as players. Beckham, Scholes and Butt will be at their peak.

"We can go into Euro 2004 hopefully as one of the favourites and we should be confident that we can win it."

The former Ipswich star, who made an amazing recovery from the knee injury he suffered on the final day of the season against Southampton to take his place in Eriksson's squad, says he was delighted to be involved in the tournament and says the experience will benefit him in the long run.

He added: "This competition has been brilliant for me. I am very inexperienced but this will help me."