England seek a winning start in clash versus Iran

We’ve to remember what England were doing earlier. He (Southgate) has taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of Euros ERIC DIER, England defender

DOHA: England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday desperate to take the final step after twice falling just short of winning the country’s first major trophy in more than half a century.

Gareth Southgate’s players will be relieved to finally focus on football after spending much of the build-up to the tournament mired in controversies surrounding host nation Qatar.

Finding themselves thrown into the role of spokesmen on social issues ranging from the deaths of migrant workers during World Cup construction to the criminalisation of homosexuality in Qatar, the England squad has handled itself impeccably. But now the players have to transfer that poise under pressure to the pitch, where they start their three Group B fixtures established as one of the leading contenders. That lofty status is a stark contrast to six years ago, when Southgate took charge with England at a low ebb after a series of humiliations on and off the pitch.

A woeful Euro 2016 exit against Iceland brought a suitably depressing end to Roy Hodgson’s England reign, while his successor, Sam Allardyce, lasted only 67 days and one match before being forced out after a newspaper sting.

Southgate set about rebuilding the team and has gradually restored them to the upper echelons. A surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia gave the manager credibility among previously skeptical players and fans. And he followed that achievement by leading England to their first major final for 55 years at last year’s Euros.

But while Southgate has made England a team to be feared again, he has yet to deliver the silverware his football-obsessed country has craved since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966. The World Cup run four years ago ended in a 2-1 defeat to Croatia after England squandered the lead, while Italy recovered from Luke Shaw’s early goal to beat Southgate’s men on penalties in the Euro final at a shell-shocked Wembley. Tottenham defender Eric Dier was quick to back his boss on Saturday. “I think it’s crazy talk. People’s perceptions change so quickly,” Dier said, when asked about criticism of the coach.

“We’ve got to remember what England were doing earlier. He’s taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the Euros. We are talking about small margins that changed those results.”

Van Dijk ‘sad’ about Mane’s injury

Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk said he was sad to learn that former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane would miss the World Cup due to injury, even if it will boost Dutch hopes.

The defender was due to come up against Mane when the Netherlands face Senegal in their opening Group A match on Monday but the Bayern Munich forward is out of the tournament after suffering a leg injury.

“I called him the next day and obviously I wanted to know how he was,” Van Dijk said at his team’s pre-match press conference in Doha. “There were so many rumours coming out. As a friend I wanted to know how he was. It wasn’t the best news he has had and unfortunately he won’t be able to make this tournament.”