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THURSDAY | OCT 16, 2025

Malaysian Paper

T HOMAS TUCHEL took the taunts from England fans on the chin as his side booked their place at next year’s World Cup. Harry Kane’s first half double along with goals from Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze and a Maksims Tonisevs own goal earned a 5-0 victory over Latvia which guaranteed them a place at the tournament in North America. But Tuchel was on the receiving end of light-hearted chants from England’s travelling fans who were responding to the German’s criticism of the atmos phere during last week’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales. He was subject to taunts of “we sing when we want”, “are we loud enough for you?” and others while former England international Gary Neville was also on the receiving end following his recent comments about “middle-aged white men”. Tuchel said: “I got a bit of stick today, in the first half, pretty much in every song. So fair enough. Well done. I take it and good humour, good sense of humour. “They had a reason today from my last comments and I guess that’s fair enough. I got a bit of stick and I found it quite creative. “It made me smile and this is how it has to be. It’s British humour and I surely can take it. No harm done. “It’s so important. They are here and I said the support in Serbia was bril liant, and we are very sure the support in America will be absolutely brilliant. “We need it. It makes such a differ ence if you go out as a player or as a coach and you see the fans behind the team and singing. “We want to make them proud, we want to make them happy. They should be happy to watch us and they should be able to identify with how we play. “We are on our way to build some thing and top performance from them.” Tuchel has done the first part of his job in getting England to the tourna ment and if they continue the upward trajectory of their last three matches, they will be contenders to win it.

Lions roar Tuchel takes taunts from fans on the chin as England book World Cup ticket

“We had in the group six matches. We won all six matches. We didn’t con cede a goal,” said Tuchel. “It’s a very special moment today. I think we stepped up in the last two camps and it was another team effort.” Bayern Munich striker Kane led the way with two goals as he extended his red-hot start to the season to 21 goals in 13 games for club and country. The two in Riga, which took his international tally to 76, helped make England the first European team to qualify. “It’s a pleasure to have him. He’s in excellent shape, mentally, physically, in top form, top shape,” Tuchel said. “Apart from scoring another two goals, look at the goal in the 85th min ute from Ebs, we have a ball loss and Harry goes all the way back to his own half and puts his head down in another sprint defensively. “As a captain, as the No. 9. There’s no real need to do this. No one will ever blame him if he didn’t do it. “But he does it, and that sets the standards. That is so brilliant to see, because he helps us win the ball and this in the end results in the goal from Ebs. “Harry is ready to put in the inten sity and the shift that is needed. “ Kane believes he is in the best form of his career. The Bayern Munich striker has scored 21 goals in 13 matches for club and country this season. After being asked if he was produc ing his very best, Kane told ITV : “I’d say so. The numbers are there. “But it’s the way I’m feeling on the pitch, the way I’m seeing the passes and the runs, physically I’m in a good place, in a good moment.” Kane felt securing a spot in next summer’s tournament in the United States with two matches to spare was impressive. “We make it look easy but these groups can be tough and we have to be fully focused in every game,” he added. “Qualifying with two games to go is a great achievement, zero goals con ceded, playing some great football.” – The Independent

England’s Harry Kane (centre) celebrates with fellow teammates after qualifying for the World Cup at the Daugava Stadium in Riga, Latvia yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

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