England vs Japan LIVE: Kane absence defined as stars face final probability to impress in pre-World Cup pleasant
England face Japan in another pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley as Thomas Tuchel gets one last look at his players ahead of naming the tournament squad in late May.
The Three Lions laboured to a 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday in a game that saw several fringe players start as they looked to stake their claims for a place on the plane to the USA. But few made an impression on the night, with several big names – including Phil Foden and Cole Palmer – all still fighting for selection.
Foden and Palmer both start against Japan, but captain Harry Kane misses out on the squad completely as a precaution, “having picked up a minor issue in training”. It is a further blow to Tuchel, who is also unable to call upon Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who have both returned to Arsenal for “medical assessment”.
Follow all the latest updates from Wembley below
England 0-0 Japan
12 min: Better from England. Foden wins a free kick down the left. Palmer delivers and after some ping pong it is cleared only far enough to allow White to drive down the right and his cross wins a corner. A couple of half-chances, from Guehi and Palmer, are blocked. Still, it’s the first clear sign of attacking intent after a sticky start.
England 0-0 Japan
9 min: Better from England as they work it patiently down the right with Rogers, Palmer and White involved – though the move does not end with much of note in the final third.
Tuchel unhappy
A little bit sloppy from England so far on the ball, and Tuchel has just lost it with his centre-backs after they both stood off and allowed Japan’s striker, Ayase Ueda, to bring down a long ball unchallenged.
England 0-0 Japan
5 min: Not the ideal start for the hosts as Japan’s high press twice contributes to some worryingly slack defending – first a hasty challenge from Ben White allows a cross in from England’s right, then a mix-up down the left sees Marc Guehi hesitate before the danger is finally cleared.
Kick-off! England 0-0 Japan
And we’re off with England, in their latest new home kit, getting us underway from right to left as we watch. Japan are in dark blue shirts, socks and white shorts.
Almost time
The teams are out, they are lining up for the pre-match formalities and we’re moments away from England’s last game before heading across the Atlantic.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on ITV1. The friendly will also be streamed on ITVX.
Tuchel speaks
Thomas Tuchel, speaking on ITV, says “We need a good performance because it’s a good opponent. We need to be active, smart, get our press right. Japan are relentless. We need a complete performance to win.
On Kane, he adds: “It’s a minor injury out of basically nothing. He had to step out of training yesterday after 15 minutes. No chance to be involved. He is being further assessed now. It’s serious enough not to play and we await further assessment.”
Tuchel then confirms Foden will start as the false nine.
Positional puzzle
The official line-ups at Wembley list Foden on the left wing and Anthony Gordon as England’s striker, despite Foden wearing the No 9 shirt tonight. Cole Palmer is pictured on the right wing, with Morgan Rogers as the No 10. But ITV’s graphic has Foden up front and Gordon on the left, which I think is more likely. Let’s see…
Foden’s big opportunity
With Harry Kane absent, this suddenly feels like a big night for Phil Foden. Thomas Tuchel used him as a false nine in November and it would seem Foden is back in that role tonight.
Given Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham are top of the pecking order in the No 10 position, Foden’s best route to North America this summer might be as an extra versatile attacker in what will be a 26-man squad, and he’s got an opportunity to prove himself here.
