MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE says England “might not have this opportunity again” as he plots a way past Sweden in the quarter-finals to a first World Cup semi-final appearance in three decades.
Southgate said his team of youngsters led by Golden Boot contender Harry Kane “must make the most” of the way the cards have fallen for them in Russia.
“It’s a great opportunity, and although our team will be individually better in two years, we might not have this opportunity again,” he told the BBC.
Advertisement
England’s penalty shootout win over Colombia in the last-16 means only Sweden stand between them and reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.
But despite all the euphoria generated back in England by his team’s progress, Southgate cautioned against getting too far ahead of themselves.
“You have to enjoy the good moments, but I am a long way from perfect, there are plenty of mistakes we have made while we have been here and we will make moving forward, so I think it is dangerous territory if we get carried away with things,” said Southgate.
Sweden have proved a notoriously tough rival for England in the past, with Southgate pointing out: “They are older, more experienced, and have a better tournament record than us.”
England face Sweden in Samara on Saturday, with the winner of that going on to play either Croatia or 2018 hosts Russia in the last four.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Southgate: England must make the most of World Cup draw
MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE says England “might not have this opportunity again” as he plots a way past Sweden in the quarter-finals to a first World Cup semi-final appearance in three decades.
Southgate said his team of youngsters led by Golden Boot contender Harry Kane “must make the most” of the way the cards have fallen for them in Russia.
“It’s a great opportunity, and although our team will be individually better in two years, we might not have this opportunity again,” he told the BBC.
England’s penalty shootout win over Colombia in the last-16 means only Sweden stand between them and reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.
But despite all the euphoria generated back in England by his team’s progress, Southgate cautioned against getting too far ahead of themselves.
“You have to enjoy the good moments, but I am a long way from perfect, there are plenty of mistakes we have made while we have been here and we will make moving forward, so I think it is dangerous territory if we get carried away with things,” said Southgate.
Sweden have proved a notoriously tough rival for England in the past, with Southgate pointing out: “They are older, more experienced, and have a better tournament record than us.”
England face Sweden in Samara on Saturday, with the winner of that going on to play either Croatia or 2018 hosts Russia in the last four.
© – AFP, 2018
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Real Madrid to pay €40 million for highly-rated Spanish full-back
West Ham head of recruitment given 12-month ban for block on African players
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
2018 World Cup Gareth Southgate opportunity knocks Russia 2018 England World Cup