England seek World Cup exorcism as Belgium expects

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail SHINE, June 18, 2018
Adjust font size:
Harry Kane (R) of England vies with Edvinas Girdvainis of Lithuania during the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group F match between Lithuania and England in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 8, 2017. England won 1-0. (Xinhua/Alfredas Pliadis)

England open their World Cup campaign on Monday with manager Gareth Southgate seeking to banish memories of dismal recent finals performances while Belgium's "Golden Generation" kick off as dark horse challengers.


England, winners on football's biggest stage more than half a century ago, crashed out without a win four years in Brazil, and haven't won a knock-out match in any tournament since 2006.


Southgate's young charges however come to Russia quietly confident after a solid qualifying campaign and encouraging friendly results against the likes of Brazil, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.


They play Tunisia in the historic city of Volgograd on Monday evening knowing anything other than a win would scatter pre-tournament plans, with Belgium looming later in Group G.


Southgate's lack of experience was much fretted over when appointed but the former Under 21s coach has cultivated an atmosphere of unity and a determination to bury past failures.


"This team shouldn't be burdened with that because they're a fresh group, most of them have very few international caps, so the future is all ahead of them," Southgate told reporters at the Volgograd Arena on Sunday.


England captain Harry Kane, who is yet to score a goal in a tournament, has vowed an aggressive approach against opponents expected to defend in numbers.


"First and foremost we are going to want to attack the game, we feel like we are going to have a lot of possession of the ball," the Tottenham forward said.


Hazard to shine: Martinez


Belgium, meanwhile, enter Russia on more familiar ground: a squad stuffed with stars but questions over their manager.


Spaniard Roberto Martinez was a left-field choice to replace Marc Wilmots after Euro 2016 and the former Everton boss seems no nearer to solving the puzzle of getting Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne playing to their sky-high potentials in the same side.


The boys from Brussels face Panama, Central America's World Cup debutantes, in Sochi.


Martinez on Sunday said Hazard was ready to light up a tournament in the same way as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo did with his stunning hat-trick against Spain on Friday.


"I think Eden is in a great moment of his career, look at his age, he is the captain, in terms of leadership -- he never finds it difficult to show for the ball," he said.


Results under Martinez have been excellent -- Belgium haven't lost since he took over -- but there is a sense that this tournament represents their best chance at World Cup glory.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter