The timing of the tournament is considered an advantage for the “Three Lions”. Normally kickers come to a World Cup exhausted from a tough Premier League season, this time they should be in strong physical condition. But the biggest plus is the quality of the squad. England has many top-class players, especially in attack.
In contrast, the defense is considered error-prone. In order to cover up this shortcoming, team boss Southgate often relies on the defensive, which has not brought the desired success in the end. In September, England were relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League. The final group game, a 3-3 home draw against Germany, was emblematic of England’s troubles.
English start against Iran
With England, one of the first top teams enters the tournament on Monday. Winning is all that counts for Gareth Southgate’s side in the game against Iran. This should make you forget a series of disappointments.
Six games without a win in Nations League
In six Nations League games without a win, England lacked creativity and goals and there was chaos on the defensive, most notably in the 4-0 home loss to Hungary. The English are led by a team boss, Gareth Southgate, under pressure. Although Southgate said, almost defiantly in September, when the Nations League had already failed: “I’m the right one.” But if you believe the English media, the ex-professional was about to be replaced in the fall.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B
Monday 2 p.m., live on ORF1
England – Iran
al-Rajjan, Khalifa International Stadium, SR Claus (BRA)
Possible lineups:
England: Pickford – Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw – Rice, Bellingham – Saka, Mount, Sterling – Kane
Iran: Abedsadeh – Moharrami, Kanaanisadegan, Chalilsadeh, Hadschsafi – Dschahanbachsch, Esatolahi, Ghoddos, Nurollahi, Taremi – Asmun
The players backed him. “He’s shown what he brings to this team over the past few years,” said offensive man Raheem Sterling. He is a coach that “all the boys trust” and that “we all want to follow in his direction”. Former World Cup top scorer Gary Lineker summed it up: “When England are forced to show their strengths (attacking, NB) they look like a good team. If they try to cover up their weaknesses (Defend NB) they come off as a bad team.”
The now TV presenter joined a growing number of Southgate critics. At the 2018 World Cup, the 52-year-old coach became the nation’s darling by reaching the semi-finals, but doubts have been increasing since last year. At that time, the English sparked great euphoria at the European Championship, but the final and Southgate’s decisions about the penalty shoot-out caused disillusionment. For example, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were substituted on late – and both failed in their penalties.
Mood tilted after Nations League
Since the Nations League, however, the mood has finally changed. It doesn’t help that Southgate has a respectable record. Since taking office in autumn 2016, he has won five knockout games in major tournaments, down from just nine in England’s 66 years. Southgate has led his side to two semi-finals in the past six years, compared to just three in the previous 66 years.
Nevertheless, the coach has to deliver in Qatar, otherwise he will probably lose his job – despite his contract running until 2024. “I know I’ll be judged for what happens at the World Cup. I’m not arrogant enough to think my contract will protect me from that,” Southgate said. But he was confident and appealed to the players. They would have the chance to become the biggest English team ever by winning the World Cup in Qatar: “We want the players to feel the enthusiasm they have had since childhood.”
A key player in England’s team is captain Harry Kane, who has kept 12 Premier League goals after 15 games this season. In the national team, Kane scored 51 times in 75 games, and at the World Cup in Russia he was awarded the Golden Shoe thanks to six goals. The 19-year-old Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is traded as a potential trump card. Mason Mount and Phil Foden also stand for talent.
Iranian team focused on soccer
Anything but an opening win against Iran would be a surprise. 20th in the FIFA rankings, Iran will be led into the tournament for the third year in a row by veteran Portuguese Carlos Queiroz. The participation is overshadowed by the political protests in their own country. The death of a young woman in police custody had triggered this. Activists are hoping for expressions of solidarity from the players on the world stage.
However, winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh explained this week that the players are only focused on progressing through the group stage for the first time in their history. “I’ve always learned to respect the jersey, to respect Team Melli no matter what,” he told reporters. The aim is to “make people happy and bring them happiness” at home. The sporting success should succeed again with straightforward counter-tactics.
