Stones considers set pieces a big strength

REPINO: England will be looking to repeat their success at set pieces when they face Panama in their second Group G game, defender John Stones said yesterday.

Both of Harry Kane’s goals in the 2-1 win over Tunisia in their opening match came from corners, a part of the game that central defender Stones says the team had focused on in training.

England’s opener came after a powerful header from Stones was pushed out by the Tunisian goalkeeper and Kane slotted home the loose ball.

In stoppage-time, the winner came when Kieran Trippier’s corner was headed on by Harry Maguire and nodded home at the back post by the England captain.

Maguire, Stones and Kane, in particular, offer an aerial threat at set pieces, which England believe they can fully exploit.

“We are trying to capitalise and use it to our advantage. We have a lot of powerful headers. To get two really was (reward for) putting the work on it in training,” said Manchester City’s Stones.

Stones reckoned that Gareth Southgate’s side had shown they could be equally effective against zonal marking and man-marking.

Stones, who has settled into a role in the centre of a three-man defence, with Kyle Walker to his right and Maguire to his left, is relishing the responsibility of organising the back line and being tasked with starting England’s passing moves.

“I am enjoying myself. From that central position, it is good because I have so many options, I have the ball trying to set up things.” – Reuters