England Wants to Win With No Core Players
England choose to rest some of its key players despite claiming to actually be eyeing victory in the game against Belgium in the final game of Group G Group 2018 G.
However, in a match held at the Kaliningrad Stadium, Russia on Thursday (28/6) that, England defeated Belgium through a single goal Adnan Januzaj.
“I think it’s a balanced game and they [Belgium] control the game better than us.This is a good test for the team We want to win this game but the knockout phase is our biggest game in a decade, our key players are awake, “said Southgate, after the game, quoted from FIFA’s official website.
In the game, England still use 3-5-2 formation. However, Southgate rested a number of players who played in two games early in the 2018 World Cup. Namely, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier, Ashley Young, Harry Maguire, and Kyle Walker.
England left only a few core players in the previous game, Pickford in goalkeeping position, John Stones behind, and Loftus-Cheek in the middle, to fill in the line-up against Belgium.
Nevertheless, Southgate judged that the players he scored have still fought hard
“The players who came down tonight have given everything and never stopped. Everyone can see our level of play and we need to improve it,” he admitted.
The ball possession of both teams balanced 48 percent of England versus 52 percent for Belgium. Accuracy of the bait is equal to 88 percent.
However, in terms of shots towards England’s goal only got one, while Belgium has 4 shots on target. The kick missed 7 for England versus 4 which Belgium had.
England midfielder Eric Dier is disappointed with this result.
“We want to win every game and we are disappointed we can not do it today, I think it’s a balanced game, we made some chances, we need to finish one of them, and everything is off.
“Belgium has a lot of quality players and the match is determined by a piece of exceptional quality,” added the Tottenham Hotspurs player.
On the other hand, Belgian national team coach Roberto Martinez claimed to remain vigilant in the round of 16 despite beating the Great Britain. Because, there is a lesson from the exclusion of a number of leading countries.
“Victory is a consequence of a very good performance, you can not plan an ideal scenario, you’ve seen big countries being eliminated, we have to introspect,” he admitted.
“We will face Japan [in round 16], we have to be ready,” said Martinez.
courtasy : cnnindonesia.com
photo : SINDOnews
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