FIFA World Cup 2018: An unrealistic mountain of expectations for England
If there is one prediction that no English football fan will refrain from, it’s the inevitable ‘premature exit’ of the England team from the 2018 World Cup.
On June 18 when the ‘anxious’ squad steps on to the field, to take on a ‘tricky’ Tunisia, the players will have a lot more to worry about, than, of course, their individual performance and as a unit. The stakes will get higher ten days later on June 28, when they face an in-form Belgium, pegged to be one of the favourites in the tournament.
If they progress from the group stage, they may run into Colombia. And then... for the Three Lions, the build-up is always hopeful, and the goodbye always tragic, if not sour (Penalties, anyone?). The dissectors of England’s dismal show have been sounding rather repetitive: We were never good enough. We need a brilliant foreign tactician. The Premiership desperately needs a winter break. The report is accurate, but there are no lessons learned. And then, there’s the unrelenting criticism when things don’t work out.
Recently, new England captain Harry Kane dwelt on the “weak mentality” of the fans after being hounded in social media circles. “It is easier these days to maybe banter England players or take the mick out of them, if we don’t do well in the World Cup it’s, ‘Oh we told you so’.”
At his presentation, the subject came up again. “Our mentality (is), we’re a bit afraid to say we want to win stuff, because we’re afraid of the fans’ or media’s reaction. We go into our shells. I want us not to be afraid to say that we want to win it.”
Maybe it’s just false bravado from Captain Kane, but after the Euro when the early-enough exit did not surprise anyone, these twenty-somethings are two years older and wiser. Miracles can happen. The World Cup surprises you! Doesn’t it?
Not when it’s England. You could say the squad would be overachieving if they manage to make the quarters. Stick your neck out, folks...
Big teams win the Big One. And let’s face it, England are not ‘Big’. One trophy from 1966 does not make them so. It is only our season-long fascination with the English Premiership, and its foreign brigade, a billion-plus turnover that brings forth these delusions of grandeur.
While no one will expect much from Harry & Co, and let us not forget understated manager Gareth Southgate, England have no burden apart from the fact the players come from the most lucrative league and the birthplace of football and probably, a nation which still believes it has a psychological superiority over the world. Their story, truly history.
Yet, they seem bogged down by expectations and fear. Hence, Kane’s first interview as captain started on the defensive. The English media has already labelled him as a leader, because of his chosen words and exhortation, the call to be believers.
And there’s no harm. A close-knit team under an inspiring manager can go a long way and if players like Kane, his Spurs mates Dele Alli and Eric Dier, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, rush boy Rashford, City’s Raheem Sterling — boy to man under Pep Guardiola’s guidance — can rise above their limitations and find their collective soul, there’s always a chance they may be princes, if not kings.
In the past, the much-hyped ‘Golden Generation’ failed to summon that winning mentality and lost their composure in vital moments. Coaches like Sven Goran-Eriksson and Fabio Capello had to deal with the north-south divides riven deeper by the demands of the Premiership, paparazzi invasions, overdependence on overrated players, a sprinkling of scandals. But that’s England for you, right?
Very easy to build up, very easy to break down.
During the round of World Cup qualifiers - an undefeated but unspectacular march - Southgate found a ‘disconnect’ between the fans and the players during a match against Malta. There was a mass walkout when the team was down 0-1 and the players were abused. “We’re a work in progress. If we’re looking for some kind of messiah to change things, I don’t think that’s realistic,” Southgate explained.
Southgate was a member of the 1998 World Cup squad and two Euros. If there was a notion the fans cared more than the ‘stars’ about being on the pitch during his playing days, when England were better in terms of personnel, it was a wrong presumption.
“Every England team I played in, the lads could never quite get their heads round why that was said. More often than not, the players have cared too much; been wrapped up in the experience too much and not been able to give their best for that reason.”
Whatever the reason, there is a tendency to fall short. And perhaps, the way forward is to not look at the more immediate future and focus on the U-17 and U-20 World Cup-winning squads. Mould them, manage them, treat them well. And if possible, create an air of self-assurance and show them how to live with pressure. The Lions may just roar again but be patient, give them some time.
2018 FIFA World Cup: Complete list of warm-up fixtures
With the 2017-18 club season done and dusted, you could be forgiven for thinking that there will be a lull of about three weeks till the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 14 for there are plenty of international matches that will take place starting from Monday.
Confused? Well, don’t be for these are the warm-up matches before the quadrennial extravaganza kicks off and on an average, every team will have three friendlies in the next two weeks.
Usually friendly ties aren’t given much importance but with the World Cup around the corner, these clashes are significant for managers can test out different formations, players and basically iron out the kinks in their teams before the real deal begins.
Also, with a number of top stars returning from lengthy injury lay-offs, these games offer the perfect chance to get some minutes under their belts.
Without further ado, here are the warm-up matches that will delight football fans for the next fortnight or so.
Monday, May 28:
South Korea vs Honduras
Turkey vs Iran
Nigeria vs DR Congo
Italy vs Saudi Arabia
Portugal vs Tunisia
France vs Ireland
Mexico vs Wales
Wednesday, May 30:
Argentina vs Haiti
Panama vs Northern Ireland
Peru vs Scotland
Japan vs Ghana
Austria vs Russia
Thursday, May 31
Luxembourg vs Senegal
Friday June 01:
Czech Republic vs Australia
South Korea vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Turkey vs Tunisia
France vs Italy
Saturday, June 02:
Austria vs Germany
England vs Nigeria
Sweden vs Denmark
Belgium vs Portugal
Iceland vs Norway
Sunday, June 03:
Mexico vs Scotland
Brazil vs Croatia
Costa Rica vs Northern Ireland
Saudi Arabia vs Peru
Spain vs Switzerland
Monday, June 04:
Italy vs Holland
Serbia vs Chile
Tuesday, June 05
Russia vs Turkey
Wednesday, June 06
Norway vs Panama
Czech Republic vs Nigeria
Thursday, June 07
England vs Costa Rica
Portugal vs Algeria
Iceland vs Ghana
Friday, June 08
Croatia vs Senegal
Switzerland vs Japan
Poland vs Chile
Saturday, June 09
Hungary vs Australia
Sweden vs Peru
Spain vs Tunisia
Denmark vs Mexico
France vs USA
Sunday, June 10
Austria vs Brazil
Monday, June 11
South Korea vs Senegal
Tuesday, June 12
Poland vs Lithuania
PS: We have only included matches of those nations that have qualified for this year’s World Cup.
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FIFA World Cup 2018: An unrealistic mountain of expectations for England
On June 18 when the ‘anxious’ squad steps on to the field, to take on a ‘tricky’ Tunisia, the players will have a lot more to worry about, than, of course, their individual performance and as a unit. The stakes will get higher ten days later on June 28, when they face an in-form Belgium, pegged to be one of the favourites in the tournament.
If they progress from the group stage, they may run into Colombia. And then... for the Three Lions, the build-up is always hopeful, and the goodbye always tragic, if not sour (Penalties, anyone?). The dissectors of England’s dismal show have been sounding rather repetitive: We were never good enough. We need a brilliant foreign tactician. The Premiership desperately needs a winter break. The report is accurate, but there are no lessons learned. And then, there’s the unrelenting criticism when things don’t work out.
Recently, new England captain Harry Kane dwelt on the “weak mentality” of the fans after being hounded in social media circles. “It is easier these days to maybe banter England players or take the mick out of them, if we don’t do well in the World Cup it’s, ‘Oh we told you so’.”
At his presentation, the subject came up again. “Our mentality (is), we’re a bit afraid to say we want to win stuff, because we’re afraid of the fans’ or media’s reaction. We go into our shells. I want us not to be afraid to say that we want to win it.”
Maybe it’s just false bravado from Captain Kane, but after the Euro when the early-enough exit did not surprise anyone, these twenty-somethings are two years older and wiser. Miracles can happen. The World Cup surprises you! Doesn’t it?
Not when it’s England. You could say the squad would be overachieving if they manage to make the quarters. Stick your neck out, folks...
Big teams win the Big One. And let’s face it, England are not ‘Big’. One trophy from 1966 does not make them so. It is only our season-long fascination with the English Premiership, and its foreign brigade, a billion-plus turnover that brings forth these delusions of grandeur.
While no one will expect much from Harry & Co, and let us not forget understated manager Gareth Southgate, England have no burden apart from the fact the players come from the most lucrative league and the birthplace of football and probably, a nation which still believes it has a psychological superiority over the world. Their story, truly history.
Yet, they seem bogged down by expectations and fear. Hence, Kane’s first interview as captain started on the defensive. The English media has already labelled him as a leader, because of his chosen words and exhortation, the call to be believers.
And there’s no harm. A close-knit team under an inspiring manager can go a long way and if players like Kane, his Spurs mates Dele Alli and Eric Dier, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, rush boy Rashford, City’s Raheem Sterling — boy to man under Pep Guardiola’s guidance — can rise above their limitations and find their collective soul, there’s always a chance they may be princes, if not kings.
In the past, the much-hyped ‘Golden Generation’ failed to summon that winning mentality and lost their composure in vital moments. Coaches like Sven Goran-Eriksson and Fabio Capello had to deal with the north-south divides riven deeper by the demands of the Premiership, paparazzi invasions, overdependence on overrated players, a sprinkling of scandals. But that’s England for you, right?
Very easy to build up, very easy to break down.
During the round of World Cup qualifiers - an undefeated but unspectacular march - Southgate found a ‘disconnect’ between the fans and the players during a match against Malta. There was a mass walkout when the team was down 0-1 and the players were abused. “We’re a work in progress. If we’re looking for some kind of messiah to change things, I don’t think that’s realistic,” Southgate explained.
Southgate was a member of the 1998 World Cup squad and two Euros. If there was a notion the fans cared more than the ‘stars’ about being on the pitch during his playing days, when England were better in terms of personnel, it was a wrong presumption.
“Every England team I played in, the lads could never quite get their heads round why that was said. More often than not, the players have cared too much; been wrapped up in the experience too much and not been able to give their best for that reason.”
Whatever the reason, there is a tendency to fall short. And perhaps, the way forward is to not look at the more immediate future and focus on the U-17 and U-20 World Cup-winning squads. Mould them, manage them, treat them well. And if possible, create an air of self-assurance and show them how to live with pressure. The Lions may just roar again but be patient, give them some time.
2018 FIFA World Cup: Complete list of warm-up fixtures
With the 2017-18 club season done and dusted, you could be forgiven for thinking that there will be a lull of about three weeks till the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 14 for there are plenty of international matches that will take place starting from Monday.
Confused? Well, don’t be for these are the warm-up matches before the quadrennial extravaganza kicks off and on an average, every team will have three friendlies in the next two weeks.
Usually friendly ties aren’t given much importance but with the World Cup around the corner, these clashes are significant for managers can test out different formations, players and basically iron out the kinks in their teams before the real deal begins.
Also, with a number of top stars returning from lengthy injury lay-offs, these games offer the perfect chance to get some minutes under their belts.
Without further ado, here are the warm-up matches that will delight football fans for the next fortnight or so.
Monday, May 28:
Wednesday, May 30:
Thursday, May 31
Friday June 01:
Saturday, June 02:
Sunday, June 03:
Monday, June 04:
Tuesday, June 05
Wednesday, June 06
Thursday, June 07
Friday, June 08
Saturday, June 09
Sunday, June 10
Monday, June 11
Tuesday, June 12
PS: We have only included matches of those nations that have qualified for this year’s World Cup.