Football

England need Kane to avenge Champions League defeat in rematch against Holland’s Van Dijk


THE rematch is on — Harry Kane versus Virgil van Dijk in a Nations League semi-final should be one of football’s greatest duels.

Kane suddenly has it all to prove because when they met in the Champions League final last Saturday it was not a fair fight.

 Spurs striker Harry Kane battles with Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk as the Reds won the Champions League final 2-0 in Madrid on Saturday

2

Spurs striker Harry Kane battles with Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk as the Reds won the Champions League final 2-0 in Madrid on SaturdayCredit: EPA

Van Dijk had the Tottenham man in his back pocket, leaving him there as Liverpool went on to claim a sixth European Cup.

Picking Kane is a big call for England boss Gareth Southgate because VVD is not just any old central defender any more.

He is Big Virgil, with the hysteria surrounding the Dutch ace reaching fever pitch after his immaculate Madrid performance.

With that winner’s medal swinging around his neck, there is talk of him beating Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or.

There is an aura about Van Dijk now, an air of invincibility after his Beckenbauer-like interception of Son Heung-min in the second half in Madrid.

The execution was world class. Kane was labouring by then, failing to justify the decision to risk him 52 days after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle.

Tomorrow night, with Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt alongside Van Dijk in the centre of the Dutch defence, England will need Kane at his most menacing.

Van Dijk did not even get his shorts muddy last Saturday. Even the combative Kane that can ruffle defences was reluctant to get involved in the Estadio Metropolitano.

He had 11 touches in the first half, a lamentable contribution considering Spurs conceded a penalty after just 23 seconds.

HONESTY DEMANDED

England can only hope that Van Dijk’s constant partying since the final whistle went in Madrid will leave him groggy.

The defender, named man of the match by Uefa, walked into the auditorium on Saturday night clutching a bottle of Heineken.

He had earned it, continuing to drink his way through Liverpool’s endless celebrations after capturing their sixth European Cup.

Kane has been nursing a hangover as well as he comes to terms with the scrutiny over his selection on Saturday.

Southgate has the same dilemma because he would dearly love to get his hands on the Nations League trophy.

England have come so far, beating Spain away in such dramatic fashion before that giddy Wembley win over Croatia.

To have come this far, to stretch the season for these knackered England footballers into June, demands honesty from the players.

Kane has to be up front with Southgate about his form and fitness before the coach makes the final call.

Southgate wants Raheem Sterling or Jadon Sancho haring around here and there giving Van Dijk and De Ligt something to think about.

2

It did not happen for Kane on Saturday, but he has the chance to demonstrate his match-winning qualities tomorrow night.

He needs to land some punches, to get closer to Van Dijk on a night when England will be looking for their captain for the knockout blow.

If he connects, England can make it to the final.

Liverpool’s Champions League heroes Van Dijk and Wijnaldum given standing ovation as they join Holland squad for England game





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.