HARRY SKIPPER SAYS: WE’LL THRIVE ON PRESSURE
PROBABLE TEAMS
HARRY KANE says the last-16 World Cup clash with Colombia will be England’s “moment of truth”.
And the Three Lions captain believes Gareth Southgate’s side just need to keep calm and find a way to win to banish the pain of their defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016.
“This is the moment of truth. We have had a great start. We won our first two games and got through – now this is the business end,” said Kane.
“It’s a totally new tournament now. You just focus on finding a way to win. It’s about whether we can win knockout matches. We haven’t been great over the years at doing that, so it’s an opportunity to put that one right.
“We proved a few people wrong by winning the first two games and getting through quite easily.
“Now, can we win the knockout games, can we win the big games when it matters, when the pressure’s on? That’s what I’m looking forward to, to see how we handle it.
“This is what you put in all the hours of training and dedication for, this is why you work technically and tactically – for big games.
“There’s going to be a bit more pressure on us now, but I think it’s important for us to have that mentality just to be calm in those situations and enjoy it still.”
Tottenham star Kane has revealed that England have been preparing for a penalty shoot-out, if the tie with Colombia goes all the way.
Kane, who scored two from the spot in the 6-1 win over Panama, said: “We have been doing a bit at St George’s, every now and then. The lads like to practise their penalties anyway.
“It’s not something we think about too much.
“We’ll focus on trying to win it in normal time or extra time, but if it comes to that, we’ll be ready.
“A lot of the time penalties is down to mentality, being calm and going through a process and doing your best to put it in the net.”
But Southgate’s skipper has urged fans not to get too carried away with a quarter-final against Sweden or Switzerland awaiting England, if they beat Colombia.
“I know the fans will look at the route and who we can get, but we’ve just got to focus on getting past Colombia.
“They are a tough team and they have some great players and we have got to be ready for that.”