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DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The primary time america confronted England on the World Cup, the rapidly assembled American squad was a ragtag group that included a mailman, a grave digger, a dishwasher and a college trainer.
Few of the gamers had ever met earlier than they headed to Brazil in 1950 to face powerhouse England, and the 1-0 upset victory by america is commonly likened to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union on the Lake Placid Olympics as being among the many greatest moments in American sports activities historical past.
The disparity between the 2 nationwide soccer groups isn’t almost as broad 72 years later as England and the United States get set to play Friday in Group B. The truth is, United States midfielder Tyler Adams said he’s more frightened of spiders than he is of facing England.
The Americans are the underdogs following their 1-1 draw with Wales, whereas England is coming off a 6-2 opening win over Iran.
“England are nonetheless a giant crew on the finish of the day, however the intimidation issue? I wouldn’t say there’s many issues on the market that intimidate me, aside from spiders,” stated Adams, who performs for Premier League membership Leeds.
“It’s wonderful for me, however clearly I’ve acquired to play in opposition to all these large gamers, so I’ve achieved it earlier than. However we additionally need to present what we’re able to and that U.S. soccer is growing and rising in the precise manner.”
However that 1950 victory for the People was a uncommon win in opposition to England, which has gained eight of its 11 conferences in opposition to america. The upside? None of these victories have been World Cup matches and the second assembly between the groups on soccer’s greatest stage led to a 1-1 attract 2010.
United States midfielder Christian Pulisic doesn’t need to hear about stats, rankings or predictions. The People did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and, following the opening draw, are tied with Wales with one level every within the battle to advance to the knockout stage.
England leads the group with three factors. A win or draw on Friday would put the People in first rate place to be one of many two groups to advance.
“We don’t take a look at the chances and we’re not on the World Cup simply to make up the numbers,” Pulisic stated. “We go, we give it every thing in each recreation we play, we make America proud. Wherever that takes us we now have to attend and see.”
INJURY CONCERNS
A win for England would put the Three Lions into the spherical of the 16 with one recreation nonetheless to play, however coach Gareth Southgate has cautioned in opposition to complacency after the opening rout of Iran.
England captain Harry Kane, the highest scorer on the 2018 World Cup, injured his ankle in opposition to Iran and defender Harry Maguire left the sport within the seventieth minute with blurred imaginative and prescient. Kane trained with the team in recent days and is predicted to play Friday, whereas Maguire indicated he’ll play in what will likely be his fiftieth look for the nationwide crew.
Southgate advised his crew it must be even higher in opposition to america than it was in opposition to Iran, and he thought the 2 late objectives conceded proved England acquired sloppy on the finish of that recreation.
“They’re a high nation with lots of high gamers who’ve performed within the Premier League and who we’ve come up in opposition to,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stated. “However it’s about us as a squad being 100%. It’s about us taking the consequence from Iran and going into the U.S. recreation optimistic.”
BACK ON THE FIELD
Qatar returns to competitors after changing into the primary host nation in World Cup historical past to drop its first match, a 1-0 loss to Ecuador on the opening night of the tournament.
Qatar gets another chance for a victory in opposition to Senegal, which additionally misplaced its opener.
“There’s lots of room for enchancment. Perhaps the accountability and nerves acquired one of the best of us,” Qatar coach Felix Sanchez stated. “We didn’t begin properly. It was a horrible begin.”
Senegal is with out Sadio Mane, the Bayern Munich ahead who was dominated out of the event with a leg harm. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate can also be expected to miss Friday’s game with a hamstring harm.
With out Mane on the World Cup, Senegal lost to the Netherlands 2-0 and coach Aliou Cissé is demanding extra from forwards Ismaila Sarr and Krépin Diatta.
“We wanted to be more practical. Ismaila and Krepin are accountable there, however in fact, the absence of Mane is an issue for us,” Cisse stated. “Our attackers are good and we all know what they’re able to. We have to work on it, with Ismaila and the others. We anticipate rather a lot from him and Krepin.”
WALES-IRAN
Gareth Bale scored a late objective from a penalty kick to assist Wales draw with america in its opening match and was thrilled to be given the starring function in his World Cup debut.
The 33-year-old Bale, who performs for the Los Angeles Galaxy within the MLS, had zero hesitation when known as on to take the penalty.
“It was at all times going to be me. No doubts,” Bale stated. “I really feel like I needed to step up and I used to be glad to take action.”
The Asian crew will likely be lacking goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand, who is out with an injury. He was cleared to proceed by Iran’s medical employees after a collision with a teammate within the opening recreation however later collapsed on the sector and was taken to a neighborhood hospital. Hossein Hosseini, the backup, must be examined by Bale.
Iran, which certified for the final two World Cups, has by no means ever superior to the knockout spherical.
NETHERLANDS-ECUADOR
Ecuador and the Netherlands each gained their opening matches and their recreation Friday will pit striker Enner Valencia against forward Memphis Depay.
Valencia scored each of Ecuador’s objectives within the 2-0 win over Qatar earlier than leaving with a sore knee however is about to play Friday.
“Enner will play in opposition to the Netherlands, there isn’t any doubt about that,” Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro stated.
Depay returned from a hamstring harm to steer the Netherlands in its 2-0 win over Senegal. He got here off the bench in that recreation however needs to begin in opposition to Ecuador.
“He’s a participant who could make the distinction,” Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal stated. “He’ll need to play, however I’ve to evaluate his kind.”
A win for both crew would doubtless assure development out of Group A. ___
AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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