England has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in World Cup 2018. Here’s a big reason why.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has produced great moments. Analysts and fans focus on a variety of highlights, of course. For me, it’s England and the way this team capitalizes on set-piece delivery.
England have scored most of their goals through set-pieces, and that outcome is a testimony to the amount of work the team put in on the training ground. Following the 6-1 win against Panama, Harry Kane said that England practices dead ball situations in training. What’s also evident is that England have intelligent players who can adapt quickly to tactical adjustments.
Can this team win the Cup? To this point, at least, Gareth Southgate and his team have given fans every reason to believe they can.
Southgate adopts a back-three formation with two wing-backs operating from the flanks. That ensures Harry Kane is not left alone in the attacking area. Delli Ali and Jesse Lingard provide support. Then there’s the play of Ashley Young and Kieran Trippier. They’ve been magnificent in delivering a perfect ball in the box. On defense, Southgate’s formation allows John Stones and Harry Maguire to join the attacking players in the box during set-pieces.
England’s Gareth Southgate (photo, British GQ)
It adds up to magnificence.
The team’s strong aerial ability put them in position to win aerial balls. Positioning in the box provides them with opportunities to attack the second ball.
Consider England’s first goal against Panama. Panama defenders were pre-occupied with preventing Harry Kane and Harry Maguire but left John Stones unmarked. He then buried the ball at the back of the net.
The fourth goal in that game is another example. Stones won the second ball from a set-piece delivery and finished the job with a simple header.
The second goal against Tunisia was a third example of a well-executed play from a set-piece. With a perfect delivery into the box, Kane was well positioned to win the second ball and then directed a perfect header into the net. That goal gave England their first win of the tournament.
These examples show how important it is for England to have players in the box to attack the ball during set-pieces. Despite the wrestling and pushing in the box, Southgate’s side is constantly in a strong position to win aerial duels.
Southgate recognizes the importance of set-pieces and knows that delivery needs to be perfectly executed for his players to attack the ball in the box. What’s more, this strategy will become even more important as England heads into the knock-out stage against Colombia
The problem for England is that this South American team knows how to defend set-pieces. It will be a matter of push vs. shove–England’s ability to execute vs. Colombia’s capacity to defend.
At issue for the Brits is whether they can execute well against teams that are adept at nullifying aerial threats. Southgate’s men will need to perform to the max, staying concentrated and attacking aerial balls when opportunities are there.
One thing is clear: England is confident. Proficiency in delivering set-pieces is a big reason why.
