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Manager Southgate on England vs. Wales: We're not here to give caps
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Gareth Southgate, manager of England, attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP
Gareth Southgate, manager of England, attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP

Gareth Southgate, manager of England, attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP

England will play against Wales in their final game in Group B of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday. With four points in their hands, the "Three Lions" only need a draw to advance to the knockout stage.

However, England's struggling performance in the 0-0 draw against the USA still concerned their fans, not to mention that Wales don't need extra motivation to give their best against England.

Therefore, England's manager Gareth Southgate said he won't shuffle the team's rotations in the coming game but focus on doing their best to win.

Players of England in team practice at Al Wakrah Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP
Players of England in team practice at Al Wakrah Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP

Players of England in team practice at Al Wakrah Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2022. /CFP

"We're at a major tournament, and it's not about giving caps out. We're here to try to go as far as we possibly can," Southgate told reporters.

"We want to win football matches. And we've got to balance freshness with stability," he added.

As a former member of the English national team, Southgate took over as manager in 2016 and led the team to do well in the following World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the UEFA European Championship in 2021. England finished fourth in Russia and as runners-up in the Euros.

Bukayo Saka (L) of England celebrates after scoring a goal in the FIFA World Cup game against Iran at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 21, 2022. /CFP
Bukayo Saka (L) of England celebrates after scoring a goal in the FIFA World Cup game against Iran at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 21, 2022. /CFP

Bukayo Saka (L) of England celebrates after scoring a goal in the FIFA World Cup game against Iran at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 21, 2022. /CFP

Such performances raised higher expectations on England in Qatar and placed Southgate and the team under bigger pressure.

"So that's always a decision you make when you're picking the team. We've got a chance to win the group, with a positive result. So, there's a lot for both teams resting on the game, there's no game where there isn't pressure on either team," Southgate said. "But when you're in a World Cup, you can't just be thinking that way, unless you'd already qualified, and you've got a game that allows a slightly different approach. We're fortunate we've got really good professionals who get on with that."

Iran will play the USA in the other game of Group B on Tuesday. Iran can secure qualification for the knockout stage with a draw as well but getting a victory will be more assuring.

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