Football

World Cup 2022: England forward feeling as fit as he ‘is ever going to feel’ ahead of Senegal clash

December 4, 2022 11:00 am
World Cup 2022: England forward feeling as fit as he ‘is ever going to feel’ ahead of Senegal clash

England captain Harry Kane says he feels as match fit as he ‘is ever going to feel’ ahead of the World Cup meeting with Senegal.

The Three Lions take on the African side in the Round of 16, with Kane providing a very positive fitness update for his country.

Kane picked up a knock in the opening match against Iran, but recovered in time to play against both the USA and Wales. He is yet to score in the competition, but sits top of the overall assists leaderboard with three.

England captain as fit as he ‘is ever going to feel’

Speaking on the eve of the Round of 16 meeting with the African champions, Kane has let supporters know exactly how he feels ahead of the game.

“Going into the knockout stage, I feel really good, fit and sharp, coming off the back of the Premier League schedule,” said Kane, as reported by the Evening Standard.

“I feel as match fit as I’m ever going to feel. Only time will tell but hopefully I can do well tomorrow and come into the best form in these knockout games.”

Kane ready to find form in Qatar

The Tottenham Hotspur striker, who has 13 goals for his club this season, is confident of finding his feet for England in the knockout stages.

Kane clinched the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, with his six goals helping England reach the semi-finals in Russia. Five of those strikes came in the group stages, with the other arriving in the Round of 16 match with Colombia.

The England forward then managed to score all four of his Euro 2020 goals in the knockout rounds, and is hoping for more of the same in Qatar.

Speaking of his efforts to peak in the knockout stages of major tournaments, Kane said: “It goes back to 2018 and the World Cup. I felt like from a physical and mental side of things, I started the tournament great with loads of goals and used a lot of energy.

“As the tournament went on, I felt like my performances dipped in the latter stages.

“I was conscious before the Euros of trying to make it go the other way. Obviously I still wanted to start well but I was trying to make sure that physically and mentally I was in the best shape for the knockouts.

“I’ve carried that into this tournament. I’d love to be sitting here with two or three goals but the group stage has gone well.”

England

England striker ‘calm’ ahead of Senegal showdown

Kane also touched on his personal aims for the Senegal game, and says he remains calm despite the increased pressure to deliver in Qatar. England scored the joint-most goals in the group stages, with Kane’s teammates netting nine goals overall.

“Form wise I feel like I’m playing well,” added Kane. “Obviously goals are what I’ll be judged on most but as always I’m a calm individual.

“I always try to focus on doing my best for the team and I can do that in many ways as I’ve said before. I’ll continue to try to do that.

“If the goals come, then great. It’ll give us a better chance of winning the game and as a striker I always want to be scoring goals for sure.”

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