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Southgate is spot-on for Senegal test

By Stephen McGowan

GARETH SOUTHGATE insists England have mentally prepared for the ordeal of a penalty shoot-out in their World Cup last-16 clash with Senegal.

The Euro 2020 final against Italy ended in more English heartbreak from 12 yards when Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford missed from the spot.

All three players were subjected to racial abuse on social media after the loss. And, speaking ahead of his side’s first knock-out game at a major competition since that night, Southgate has tailored his preparations to avoid a repeat.

His first preference a victory over the African champions in 90 minutes, the England boss claims his team are mentally and physically ready to do whatever it takes to reach the quarter-finals in the Al Bayt Stadium.

‘Like every other aspect of our

game we are prepared,’ said Southgate. ‘We have had a process that we have followed.

‘We’ve had three recent shoot-outs and we have won two.

‘Inevitably, the one that you don’t get over the line you reflect on and think about how you can improve those processes.

‘We have done that over the last few months in particular.

‘But, of course, there are so many other aspects to the game that we have got to get right.

‘We are aiming to win the game and to avoid extra-time, if we can, and penalties, if we can.

‘You would like to get a victory in 90 minutes but if we need to go 120 minutes or need to go beyond that then we have got to be ready for that mentally and physically. I believe we are.’

England sealed their place in the round of 16 by comprehensively beating Iran and Wales and playing out an uninspired scoreless draw with the USA. The reaction to the noise after that game was the introduction of Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, both starring in the 3-0 win over the Welsh.

With Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling all showing up strongly in the group stage, Southgate faces a selection dilemma in attacking areas.

‘It’s a good position to be in,’ he admitted. ‘You want your players in confident mood and our forward players are.

‘Of course, you want to try to make the best possible decision.

‘But, in some respects, I’m not sure there is a right or a wrong.

‘Whichever players we start with, we are going to need the bench. We need the strength.

‘And they all offer different attributes. It’s just trying to get the balance of the team right and make the right possible decisions.

‘But it’s great we have the whole squad fit and available, feeling good about themselves with a nice balance of knowing how difficult it was to get through this round in our last two tournaments.

‘We know the quality of the opposition but we have belief in ourselves as well.’

Aliou Cisse’s Senegal side recovered from a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their opening group game to beat hosts Qatar and seal their place in the last 16 with a 2-1 win over Ecuador.

Respectful of the task ahead Southgate has been ‘impressed’ with tonight’s opponents.

‘We know that they are African champions, very proud, a very competitive spirit, a lot of belief in the team,’ he said.

‘They have excellent individual players who can cause problems and a good structure to the team as well.

‘Aliou has done a fantastic job. They were very unlucky not to qualify from their group in Russia and they have deservedly done it this time.

‘We know exactly the size of the task ahead of us.

‘We have had a number of Senegalese players in England down the years from Patrick Viera to El Hadji Diouf to the coach and now players in the Premier League and players playing in the Championship who are really Premier League players. They have enriched our game.’

Criticism of Southgate’s conservatism is countered by the fact England have reached the last 16 at all. Germany, Belgium and Denmark all crashed out at the first hurdle as South Korea, Morocco and Australia enhanced the reputation of this Qatar World Cup as the competition of the underdog.

While Southgate accepts England’s tag as favourites to win, he warns against over-confidence.

‘Those three teams either historically, or in the recent tournaments, have had really good performances,’ said the England manager.

‘A semi-final for Belgium, a semi-final for Denmark, we know so many of the players in both of those teams and we expected both to do well.

‘But the teams they played against were very strong.

‘All of these games are very difficult.

‘So the depth of the challenge is really tough.

‘We’ve seen the power of football growing around the world in this competition.

‘Historically, South America and Europe have been dominant.

‘But you can see with the results in the group stages that the Arab nations, the African nations, the Asian nations have all achieved big results against higher-ranked teams.

‘In tournament football, it’s about performing on the day and fine margins can make the difference.

‘Of course we will be considered the favourites and them the underdogs.

‘But that doesn’t really mean anything in a one-off game.’

World Cup 2022

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2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

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