England’s forward Harry Kane (left) and manager Gareth Southgate during a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre, yesterday. AFP
England manager Gareth Southgate defended his record with the Three Lions ahead of their attempt to break a 56-yar-old title drought. England last won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 and will begin their Qatar 2022 Group B campaign against Iran today at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Since his appointment, Southgate has led England to the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the European Championship
in 2020.
However, recent performances in the UEFA Nations League have seen criticism of the former Middleborough
man grow.
Iran’s Ehsan Hajisafi with team-mates during a training session. REUTERS
“We can only answer that on the pitch by winning matches and scoring goals,” Southgate said of the England side without a win in six competitive matches.
“The first thing for a coach is to enable (the team) to win. Then, of course, you want to play football that excites people and that players enjoy. Our challenge is to give supporters a memorable tournament. We have taken them on a fantastic ride in the last two tournaments,” he added.
Southgate noted that England’s opponents, Iran, would be tricky opponents and England will require patience against Carlos Queiroz’s side.
“We know that under Carlos in the last World Cup, they were very organised against big opponents and difficult to play against. We’re ready for a strong challenge,” Southgate said.
“We’re very respectful of our opponents tomorrow,” he added.
Southgate also added that his main priority was for the team to spread a little joy for fans back home.
“Our country is also going through a difficult spell, not the same as some of the other countries, but we’re in an economic recession, and life has been difficult for a lot of our people.
“So we want them to enjoy their football, have a journey with the team and bring them some happiness.”
Meanwhile, Southgate confirmed that midfielder James Maddison will not be available for the game today because of a knee injury. Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is also ruled out though the 32-year-old has been training with the team and is close to being ready for action.
England captain Harry Kane disclosed he hopes to break England’s scoring record (53) currently held by Wayne Rooney. Kane is two goals shy of the record and has played 75 games for England.
“Hopefully (I’ll break it) as soon as possible. I know it’s there, and I know people will talk about it, but I like to just focus on my game,” Kane said.
The Spurs forward said he’s looking forward to getting started in Qatar and hopes to win it with the current crop of players.
“We’ve got a really good blend of experience and youth. Who knows where I will be in four years’ time or the team, so it’s about now.”
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz during a press conference, yesterday. REUTERS
Queiroz praises England
Veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has praised Southgate’s England, saying the team is ‘probably the most talented English side since 1966.’
The 69-year-old former Real Madrid coach will lead Team Melli to their fifth World Cup and Queiroz’s third at the helm.
“This new generation that Gareth Southgate is with, in my opinion, is probably the most talented, the most competitive English national team since 1966,” Queiroz said.
“I worked with the generation of Rio [Ferdinand], [Paul] Scholes, [David] Beckham, but this national team is different because they have a realistic approach to any single game, which makes them very, very dangerous.”
Team Melli has been in the spotlight in the run-up to the World Cup due to unrest at home, but Queiroz said it would be a dream for the players to participate in this tournament. “To play one game of this dimension, for them, for me, it is a life dream.”
The USA take on Wales at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium later today in the other Group B match.
