A few lines from Sting’s 1986 Single, “An Englishman in New York” goes:
“If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run”
Harry Kane is an Englishman in Russia, and, as captain, he may just lead his team to lift the World Cup. He is a talented footballer and go-to man. Kane can score goals with his boot as well as his head. He can support the mid-field, hold the ball up, and create openings for his teammates on attack. At 24, he is England’s youngest ever captain. The English daily tabloid the Sun, featured him in an article entitled “Captain Sensible”.
Kane is clean-living (he doesn’t drink), has no tattoos, shuns show-biz events and sticks to a traditional hairstyle. He is also devoted to his childhood sweetheart. The article goes on: “Valued at more than £200million, he has scored 108 goals in 153 appearances in the Premier League for Tottenham.”
Harry Kane featured in 'The Sun' Source: The Sun website
In the England-Colombia match, referee Mark Geiger was the busiest man on the pitch, dishing out 8 yellow cards, six of them to Colombia. In a 12 minute spell in the 2nd half that saw 4 yellow cards, one included Colombian midfielder Carlos Sanchez wrestling Kane to the ground in the penalty area on a set piece. Kane slotted the ball into the net from the spot.
I counted at least 4 fouls committed on Harry Kane. Yet in all of them, he didn’t complain, writhe on the ground simulating a serious injury, or retaliate. Instead, he picked himself up and moved on. A true example of sportsmanship that some of his teammates would do well to emulate.
2018 FIFA World Cup Colombia vs England . Source: Getty Images Europe
England manager Gareth Southgate overcame his own demons of a missed penalty in the 1996 semi-final against Germany for the Euro and he has had to live with the consequences since. Southgate bravely put up his hand for England, replacing Sam Allardyce.
Kieran Trippier, John Stones and Jesse Lingard have all performed well. Jordan Pickford has proven he is an able keeper, replacing Joe Hart is no mean feat. Kieran Trippier was solid at the back, Eric Dier did his part in the midfield, took his penalty with confidence. Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford had their moments, they will need to up their game.
Last, but not least the British economy. BBC News reported that work done by the UK’s Central for Retail Research estimates that the UK economy benefit from extra spending of more than GBP 1 billion this year. The centre estimates that spending will rise to more than GBP 2.7 billion if England make the World Cup Finals in Russia.
England beat Colombia on penalty kicks yesterday to reach the quarter-finals and now face Belgium tomorrow evening for a semi-final spot.
Up next, Sweden. A game at a time. But it is a good story and the Englishmen in Russia may yet surprise.
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