Harry Kane insists ‘we can play better for sure’ after England ‘didn’t put away’ their chances in drab 0-0 stalemate with USA but dispels the idea that Three Lions will ‘landslide every team we play’ after goal-fest against Iran
Harry Kane admitted England failed to take their chances against a ‘really organised’ USA team as the Three Lions failed to entertain in Friday’s 0-0 draw.
The England skipper allowed that it was not his side’s best performance – especially after the eight-goal thriller against Iran – but was adamant that it was still a good result for Gareth Southgate‘s side.
In the Group B clash it was USA who had the better chances in the first half with the frame of the goal coming to England’s rescue in a game that saw little action in the final thirds.
Harry Kane admitted that his side failed to create any clear-cut chances against the USA
Speaking after the game, the Tottenham talisman said: ‘Yeah it wasn’t our best performance for sure.
‘Had some good spells with the ball and created some good positions, just didn’t quite have the final product today. But great clean sheet, puts us in a great position in the group.’
And when asked what his side lacked, he added: ‘Just being clinical. It’s a contrast to the other game against Iran when we took our chances really well.
‘Today we had two or three good opportunities and we didn’t quite put them away. But overall we’re playing a tough team and we move on.’
Though England were undoubtedly the favourites going into the game, the Americans used their athleticism to good effect, pressing Southgate’s side high up the pitch.
England fell some way short of their exciting performance against Iran in Friday’s drab draw
And although Kane confessed his side had prepared for a high-energy battle with the USA, he remained confident that his team had still come away from the dull affair with something to be pleased about.
Kane is still yet to score at the tournament despite winning the golden boot in Russia
‘They pressed really well. We knew before the game that they’d come out and make it difficult for us, and I thought at times we did well.
‘They’re a good side. A draw isn’t the end of the world for us, we’re in a great position in the group and we look forward to the next one.’
‘We know we can play better than that for sure. But look, it’s a draw in a World Cup. No game’s easy at a World Cup.
‘I think after our first performance people just thought we were gonna landslide every team we play, but that’s not the case.
‘We were playing against a really organised team with some quality players and we have to respect that. But the clean sheet’s really pleasing. A point’s not what we came here for, but like I say it leaves us in a really good position.’
The American side pressed high up the pitch and used their athleticism to good effect
After putting six past a below-par Iranian side on Monday many fans would have expected a similar performance this time out, but USA deserved plenty of credit after a resolute display in Qatar on Friday.
The USA side were able to maintain their side’s unexpected record of never losing to England at a World Cup, extending their run to three matches undefeated.
The draw does not confirm progression from the group stages for the Three Lions, but after losing 2-0 to Iran earlier on Saturday, Wales would now need a six-goal swing to overtake England, should Iran defeat USA.
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