england captain harry kane He said he is ready to top the World Cup knockout stages after optimizing his conditioning to reach optimum match fitness.
The 29-year-old is yet to score in the tournament but has three assists to his name as Gareth Southgate’s side topped Group B and go into Sunday’s round of 16 clash. Senegal At Al Bait Stadium.
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Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 tournament, but five of his six goals came in the group stage, before England suffered a defeat. Croatia in the semi-finals.
Last summer, England reached the final of Euro 2020 as Kane scored in each of the knockout rounds after a goalless group stage apart from the Wembley showpiece. Italy Won in the penalty shootout.
Asked if he is once again aiming to manage his performances in a similar way, Kane said: “It probably goes back to 2018. In the World Cup, I felt like, just physically and maybe Mentally, we started off. The tournament was great, I started the tournament with a lot of goals, used a lot of energy and as the tournament progressed, I felt my performance drop off in the later stages.
“I was conscious of trying to make it another way before the Euros. Of course I still wanted to start well but I was trying to make sure I was in the best place physically and mentally for the knockout stages. But I carried it forward. This tournament.
“I would definitely love to sit here with two or three goals now but I think the group stage has been good. It’s not too difficult in terms of minutes.
“The games weren’t really physical when you look at the numbers when we break it down going into the knockout stage I feel really good. Fit and sharp, with the Premier League schedule behind, I feel as the match – as fit as I’m ever going to feel.
“Only time will tell. Hopefully I can do well tomorrow and be in top form in these knockout games.”
“Form-wise I feel I am playing well, goals are what I am judged the most but as always I am a calm person and always try to focus on the team and do my best for the team.” I do
“I’m going to keep trying and do it, if the goals come, it means it will give us a better chance to win games.
“As a striker I definitely want to score goals. It will be a tough game but hopefully I can hit the mark tomorrow.”
Kane’s methodology is evidence of an understanding of the tournament Southgate has aimed to present to England since taking charge in 2016.
Southgate said, “We have played seven games in the last two tournaments and first of all we have learned a lot about the need to keep the team involved emotionally and physically.”
“We’ve had different situations in all those tournaments where we’ve tried to manage people’s minutes, try to bring some players back from injury and get them on the field and ready to be match fit.
“At this point, we’re really pleased with the progress we’ve made. It means we have everyone available for tomorrow, but I think it’s one of those areas that we’ve learned and you don’t necessarily know that.” Unless you go straight distance. It’s an area we don’t need to know much about, but it’s only relevant to us if we win tomorrow and we make progress.”
Meanwhile, Senegal boss Aliu Cisse has been unable to train for two days and did not appear for his pre-match media duties on Saturday.
Assistant manager Regis Bogert, standing in for Cisse, said: “He had a fever so we had to be careful. He let us take charge of training yesterday, apparently with his instructions that we get in front of the players, and hopefully tomorrow he Be able to come and be on the bench with the players. We’re sure he’ll be with the team tomorrow night at 10, that’s for sure.”
