It’s the right decision
England changes justified despite Belgium defeat, insists Southgate
KALININGRAD: England manager Gareth Southgate defended his decision to leave Harry Kane on the bench among eight changes after losing 1-0 to Belgium to finish runners-up in World Cup Group G.
A brilliant strike by Adnan Januzaj six minutes into the second-half set up a last-16 clash with Japan for Belgium, who also made nine changes with qualification for the last 16 already assured for both sides.
England appear to face a toughter task in Group H winners Colombia on Tuesday but have avoided a loaded top half of the draw containing past winners Brazil, France, Argentina and Uruguay as well as European champions Portugal, by finishing second in the group.
“If we put Harry on for 10 minutes and someone whacks him on the ankles that would be ridiculous,” said Southgate when questioned why Kane, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals wasn’t even introduced from the bench.
“Everybody knows the most important game is the knockout round.”
England haven’t won a knockout game at a tournament since 2006 and Southgate insisted he had to seek every possible advantage ahead of what he described as the Three Lions’ “biggest game for a decade”.
“We tried to take as much of an advantage as we could on a physical level.
“Whatever happens next week, that was the right decision,” he added.
“People will say ‘it’s only the right decision if we win’ but it’s the right decision because we’d be going into a match that could go into extra time and risking players we didn’t need to risk.”
Martinez admitted that it would have been easier for Belgium logistically to finish second in the section and play their last 16 tie in Moscow, close to their training base, rather than in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.
However, the Spaniard warned against trying to plot a way through a perceived easier section of the draw.
“I don’t think in World Cup you can try to hope to get an easy path,” said Martinez.
“England will play Colombia and if you start thinking any further than that, I think you are risking a lot.”
The fact second place in the group was no disaster seemed to be a big factor in both coaches’ team selection with their places in the last 16 already secured.