Southgate ‘won’t write off’ World Cup foes

The draw in Moscow saw England given games against Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G.

It meant England, who have not won a major men’s international trophy since lifting the 1966 World Cup on home soil, avoided global giants Argentina, Brazil and Germany after Argentina great Diego Maradona picked them out of Pot 2 at the Kremlin’s State Palace.

England will face Tunisia in their opening game in Volgograd on June 18, a repeat of their first game in the 1998 World Cup in France, when goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes secured a 2-0 win in Marseille.

They will then travel to Nizhni Novgorod on June 24 to take on Panama, making their first appearance in a World Cup finals, with their concluding group fixture against well-regarded Belgium in Kaliningrad on June 28.

With the top two teams in each pool going through to the second round, Belgium and England will be huge favourites to make it out of Group G.

But Southgate, recalling England’s decades of disappointment on the international stage, was wary of Panama, telling the BBC: “We’ve been good at writing teams off and then getting beat. We’ve got to be prepared for every game.”

England’s coach Gareth Southgate stands with other coaches at the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup football tournament final draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow on December 1, 2017

Former England international Southgate played against Tunisia at France 98.

“Remembering the Tunisia game in 1998, it was the first thing that went through my mind,” he said. “It was a fantastic day and it’s nice to be able to relive that.

“We haven’t done as much preparing on the African teams yet so now that’s what we can focus in on.

“There’s a little bit of travelling (after the first game) and maybe gives us the opportunity for injuries if we get them to clear up.”

Southgate added: “It’s fantastically exciting to be here for the draw with every other coach. I’m really looking forward to getting on with it now.

“The objective is to qualify from the group. You’re never quite sure how many points you need for that and there will be ups and downs along the way I’m sure.

“For me personally, to play in a World Cup for my country was an incredible honour. To lead my country there as a manager is beyond that.”

England beat Belgium, several of whose players are now established Premier League performers, at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and have never lost to them at a major tournament, suffering only one defeat in 21 matches with their European rivals.

Former England winger Chris Waddle, who missed a penalty in a 1990 World Cup semi-final shoot-out defeat by Germany, said Southgate’s men had been given a “fantastic” draw.

“You can’t ask for a better draw,” Waddle told the BBC. “Every team is dangerous. Belgium are class on their day but the rest are very beatable.”