WORLD CUP: Stay Tuned in or we’ll get found out...
Maguire warns against a dozy start WHY EAGLES OF CARTHAGE CAN MAKE HISTORY
TUNISIA ENGLAND
HARRY MAGUIRE has warned England fans not to expect Tunisia to collapse like World Cup whipping boys Saudi Arabia when they kick off their campaign tomorrow.
The Leicester centre back looks set to start in a three-man defence with Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones.
And although every England fan expects Gareth Southgate’s stars to get off to a flyer in Volgograd, Maguire insists it would be crazy to be complacent against a nation rated just below them in the FIFA rankings.
Clicked
The 25-year-old said: “You only have to watch their recent games to see Tunisia are a good side and that’s why we are definitely not going to underestimate them.
“I’ve seen a bit of the game they played against Portugal and they are playing really well – it’s definitely going to be a tough game as they have good ability.
“Yohan Benalouane (right) is a team-mate of mine at Leicester and he’s in their squad. I haven’t asked him about Tunisia, and I’m sure if I did he wouldn’t give too much away.
“He’s a good lad and a good player, and I’ve heard that they are doing really well and have clicked together.
“We know they are a good team but we have enough ability and talent to go there and take the game on and get what we need, which is three points.
“But it won’t be easy. There are a lot of teams at the World Cup that you watch and you didn’t realise they were as good as that.
“To be in the World Cup you have to be a good side.
“It is hard to qualify and there are not too many teams going in where you know it is a guaranteed three points – you know you have to work hard to win any game.”
Maguire wants England to build up a head of steam if they beat Tunisia – and really kickstart their tournament.
“We are all really positive. We are young, hungry. We are going to play with no fear.
“You have seen in recent matches we can pass the ball around really well. In tournaments you win a couple of games and you gain momentum and confidence.
“You can’t really set limits on where you want to finish in a tournament like the World Cup because things will change, things will happen and people all of a sudden start to believe. That is what we are hoping for.”
Ball-playing Maguire was given a huge vote of confidence by Southgate when he dumped Chris Smalling in favour of the big man from Sheffield.
And he believes it is pay-back time for that show of faith. “I have to say a big thanks to the manager who has shown great faith in me,” said Maguire.
“He’s shown great trust. Now it is down to me to repay him.
“He’s reiterated he wants to play out from the back, and the main thing we want to do is win the game.
Purpose
“We are not trying to keep the ball at the back, make 20 passes and get nowhere. We are going to do it with a purpose.
“We’ve changed to a three at the back at the moment.
“I’m sure we could go to a four if needs be as well. Playing three at the back allows another defender to play. We all want to be in that XI.
“There are 23 in the squad but we all want to play.” REWRITING history will be the motivating factor when Tunisia face England in Volgorrad tomorrow. The Carthage Eagles have not won a game at the World Cup since they beat Mexico in their first-ever appearance in the finals 40 years ago. But the team managed by Nabil Maaloul, the 55-yearold who won 74 caps for his country as a player, believe it’s their destiny to reach the second phase for the first time. Striker Anice Badri typified the positive atmosphere when he warned Gareth Southgate that the North Africans see their clash with England as an opportunity to be grasped, rather than feared. Badri, born in France but a forward with champions Esperance Tunis, said: “We’re ready for this challenge after the great work done during the preparation period, and I hope our efforts are rewarded by qualifying for the second round. “We have tried to be at the top of our preparation physically, tactically and mentally. “The friendly matches against Portugal, Turkey and Spain have allowed us to strengthen the group’s cohesion and perfect our style of play. “We have tried to determine failures and correct mistakes that must absolutely be avoided. The English team has fast strikers capable of turning every opportunity into a goal. “It is true that they are not among the favourites, but they remain in my opinion an opponent as strong as Belgium. “We respect the English team – but we do not fear them.”