England captain Harry Kane urges stars to forget past pain and win World Cup 2018

Raring to go: Harry Kane is in upbeat mood after wins over Nigeria and Costa Rica
Action Images via Reuters
Giuseppe Muro11 June 2018

Harry Kane says England must believe they can end 52 years of hurt and win the World Cup.

England have never gone beyond the semi-finals of a major tournament since lifting the game’s biggest prize in 1966 but Kane has said the players have to “believe it can be different” this summer.

Kane has stated publicly his belief that England are capable of winning the tournament in Russia and the Tottenham forward has now urged his team-mates to forget past disappointments.

The England captain said: “The main thing is to believe it can be different. It’s been tough for the last 50 years because we haven’t won anything.

“For us [the key thing] is to stay focused on ourselves, not to worry about the teams in the past.

“We are our own team, we have our own identity and we just have to look forward and enjoy it. We cannot wait to get out there and get started.”

England have not won a knockout match at a major tournament since the World Cup in 2006 but Kane feels Gareth Southgate’s young squad can cause a surprise this summer.

England fly out to Russia tomorrow with optimism high following a strong qualifying campaign and two positive warm-up wins against Nigeria and Costa Rica.

In Pictures | Countdown to the Fifa World Cup 2018

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Kane has also revealed England have practised penalties in the build-up to the tournament.

England have the worst World Cup record in shoot-outs, having failed to win on three occasions.

Kane, 24, said: “Every now and then the coaches will throw it in at the end of the session when we are maybe a little bit fatigued. It is about being free in your mind and picking your spot.”

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