LONDON, Nov 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Gareth Southgate has challenged his
vibrant young England side to build on a year to remember after they clinched
a place in the Nations League semi-finals in dramatic style.
Just over a year ago, England’s qualification for the World Cup was greeted
with yawns and a barrage of paper aeroplanes from fans disillusioned by
decades of underachievement.
But Southgate’s team won back their place in the nation’s hearts over the
course of a remarkable 2018 that saw them reach the World Cup semi-finals for
the first time since 1990.
Although that World Cup run ended with an agonising extra-time loss to
Croatia, Southgate and his players have refused to be defined by failure in
the way that their more vaunted predecessors in the Three Lions shirt often
were.
So when Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia the lead against the run of play in
the second half of Sunday’s winner-takes-all shoot-out at Wembley, it was a
coming of age moment for England’s prodigies.
They rose to the challenge in impressive style as Jesse Lingard came off
the bench to equalise with 15 minutes left before captain Harry Kane poked in
the 85th-minute winner.
Kane and his team-mates celebrated joyously as Wembley roared in delight
and an jubilant Southgate punched the air on the touchline.
The harmonious scene was a fitting finale to England’s year of redemption
and a far cry from the 1-0 win over Slovenia in October 2017 that ensured
they would qualify for the World Cup.
That uninspiring display came while Southgate’s revolution was still taking
shape, played out to a soundtrack of bored fans cheering when the paper
aeroplanes they were launching from the stands made it to the pitch.
Slammed as “lifeless, uninspired and mediocre” by one match report after
the Slovenia game, England went to the World Cup with expectations at an all-
time low.
But Southgate was gradually winning the hearts and minds of his players
with his astute man-management and progressive game-plans.
– Humble approach –
The modest England manager credits his squad for keeping a humble approach
amid all the recent plaudits, all the while keeping their focus on the next
opponent.
“You can only have that consistency if you work on things every day and
have the humility to go back to work,” he said.
“The World Cup was far bigger (than the Nations League) but you have to
look at the next challenge. This was a great opportunity to test ourselves
against top teams.”
Even that drab Slovenia match foreshadowed the revival stirring beneath the
surface as it was a late Kane goal that sealed the points.
Fast forward 13 months and another last-gasp Kane winner produced far more
euphoria.
“He is the best goalscorer in the world. You are always loath to take off a
player of that ability,” Southgate said. “His hold-up play, as well as the
goals he brings, is critical. He is so hungry to lead the team even further.”
Southgate’s commitment to allowing England’s young talents to express
themselves has paid rich dividends with Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford,
Ross Barkley, Ben Chilwell and Joe Gomez all delivering mature contributions
to England’s success.
Having established England as a force to be reckoned with, Southgate’s next
task is to maintain their progress, with an eye on ending their wait for a
first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
He believes the momentum England have established on and off the pitch will
prove invaluable as they head into a period that includes the start of the
Euro 2020 qualifying campaign and then the Nations League Finals.
“Next year now looks like a really exciting time to be involved with
England,” Southgate said.
“That feeling around the team is really powerful and we have to build on
that. Everybody who has played for us wants to be part it.”
Displaying the self-depreciating touch that has won him so many admirers,
Southgate laughed off suggestions that he has given England their pride back.
“We may be a new England but we scored from a long throw and a free-kick,
so maybe nothing changes!” he smiled.