Young England plan revolution in Russia

Hopes rise on Southgate’s side even as Colombia, fretting over Rodriguez, eye 2nd successive quarters berth

Compared to their predecessors, Gareth Southgate’s England started the World Cup with relatively low expectations. This was a young side that was not expected to be contenders.

England still remain a couple of wins away from being perceived as genuine challengers but after the events over the past fortnight, hopes have soared in their country.

With some of the pre-tournament favourites already out and England finishing second in their group, which hands them a relatively easier draw than what a top-place finish would have, Southgate’s team will be upbeat ahead of their Round-of-16 clash against Colombia at the Otkritie Arena here on Tuesday.

There is a sense of confidence among the players after encouraging performances against Tunisia and Panama. But unlike previous World Cups, Southgate’s team has preferred to remain low-key.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity to go further than more experienced England teams have gone. These are the games you want to be involved in, the games that matter,” Southgate said on Monday.

“We are in the business of bringing hope and excitement to a whole nation. As manager, I have huge belief in what we are doing.”

On Sunday, midfielder Jesse Lingard had termed Southgate’s stint with the team as a ‘new revolution’ during an interaction with reporters at the team base in Repino.

However, beating Colombia would not be an easy proposition. More so since after defeating Ecuador 1-0 in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, England are yet to win a knockout stage game at a major tournament.

Southgate made wholesale changes for the last group game against Belgium, which England lost 1-0, but the core of the squad will be back on Tuesday.

Fabian Delph is back home in England to be with his wife, who is in labour. So the only change to the team that started against Panama is expected to be Dele Alli replacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek after recovering from a knock he had received in the game against Tunisia.

Skipper Harry Kane, with five goals in the tournament so far, will continue to be the key man up front.

Colombia have redeemed themselves against Poland and then Senegal after starting with a loss to Japan. Coach Jose Pekerman was worried whether playmaker James Rodriguez would recover from the calf strain against Senegal. But on Monday he said: “We got good news that his injury is not as serious (as feared). Now we have one day and a half to see how it goes before the England game.”

Even without Rodriguez, Colombia have enough firepower to hurt England. Juan Quintero can be a creative force if Rodriguez starts on the bench while Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao will be potent threats.

Both Cuadrado and Falcao had frustrating spells in England earlier in their career but have thrived elsewhere. “I didn’t shine as I wanted in England; it’s true. But that’s part of the past,” said Falcao.

Colombia also have a more than capable centre-back pairing of Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez who is a club teammate of Kane at Tottenham Hotspur.

Pekerman termed England as ‘favourites’, but said his side would be up for a fight and try to reach their second consecutive World Cup quarter-final.

“We came to the World Cup with expectations, to repeat what was done in Brazil, to make a good tournament and to show that we can compete against the favourites, like tomorrow against England.”