In recent World Cups, the England team has never been highly appreciated for its championship ability. If we compare the squad that coach Gareth Southgate called up to Russia this year with the talented and famous stars of Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal or Brazil, Argentina, it would be really lazy. However, not being highly appreciated could be an advantage for DT Anh when they are not left unnoticed and searched too much.
Tonight's friendly match with Nigeria will be an important test for coach Gareth Southgate's team before the world's biggest football festival starts. Despite being underrated but the English's ambition to win the gold cup still exists, the English international needs to prepare best for the journey to conquer the world gold cup for the first time since 1966, 52 years have passed, but the people of the foggy island nation are still tired of that brilliant glory, despite many generations of talented players.
In the past, England have only met Nigeria twice. They met once at the 2002 World Cup, with a score of 0-0. Another time meeting in a friendly match in 1994, England won 1-0. In their group at the 2018 World Cup, England will face Cambodia, so it is understandable that the Three Lions chose Nigeria as their opponent for a friendly match.
Fortunately for the England international, striker Harry Kane is still in stable form. In friendly matches with big teams, DT Anh also achieved very good results. In the most recent match, they only accepted to let Italy hold them to a draw in the final minutes, before that the English Lions defeated the Netherlands 1-0 away.
DT Anh's defense has clearly improved its quality. Because in the last 8 matches, despite facing big teams such as defending world champions Germany, Brazil, Italy or the Netherlands, the "Three Lions" have only conceded 2 goals in 8 matches. Therefore, it is difficult for Nigeria - a team that is not in good form, to cause a surprise at Wembley. It is likely that the Three Lions' impressive streak will continue.
After this match, the English international has only one more friendly match with Costa Rica, which is to travel to Russia, starting the journey to the 2018 World Cup. Therefore, Nigeria and Costa Rica are important testing drugs for coach Gareth Southgate and his team. These final rehearsals greatly affected the English's failure at the 2018 World Cup. Therefore, there will be no way for either side to side side side, because the players need to prove themselves to hope for a starting position in Russia.
The match between England and Nigeria will take place at 11:15 p.m. on June 2.
