Not getting carried away: England coach
Kolkata, Oct. 15: England head coach Steve Cooper insists his team will not get carried away after showing impressive form to top their group but are not looking beyond their pre-quarterfinal clash against Japan on Tuesday.
“It’s business as usual for us, we need to look back at our game, and rest, recover, prepare to get ready for a strong team Japan. We have two days to get our plans together,” Cooper said demolishing Iraq 4-0 on Saturday.
“To top a tough group is something the players will get a lot of recognition for. Nobody is going to get carried away.”
England topped Group F with three wins from as many games, scoring 11 goals and conceding two.
“We are pleased obviously with qualification, the returns are good with nine points, scoring 11 goals and conceding two that’s very pleasing. The first objective was to qualify and get out of the group,” Cooper said.
“At the moment, we are looking no further than Japan. It’s a game we are looking forward to,” he said.
The coach said they have “no update” on the availability of their star forward Jadon Sancho for the last 16 match.
Sancho, their leading scorer with three goals, did not travel to India with the squad as German club Borussia Dortmund released him late, on condition of getting him back after the group stage.
“No lead on Jadon. At the moment he’s here with us recovering from another good game. There’s no news on that front,” Cooper said.
Cooper said all their players had a chance to play and they are capable of making a difference.
At the moment, we are looking no further than Japan. It's a game we are looking forward to.
STEVE COOPER