KUALA LUMPUR – Former England midfield legend Paul Gascoigne has warned England not to take Wales lightly following examples of previous defeats by several football giants in the Qatar World Cup opening matches.
As England is scheduled to meet Wales in their final group B match tonight, Gascoigne is not ruling out a potential upset for England.
England currently sit on top of the group with four points, while Wales are at the bottom of the standings with only one point following their defeat to Iran in the second group stage match.
“I think Wales has got the chance, despite I was told that they were terrible against America,” said Gascoigne who has been described as the most naturally talented English footballer of his generation.
“You are seeing all these teams like Morocco beating Belgium, which is one of the best teams in the world, and other top teams like Germany lost to Japan and Argentina to Saudi Arabia.
“Anything can happen. It is all about controlling their nerves.”
Wales would have to win the match against England to keep their chances of entering the knockout stages alive.
However, the Welsh’s fate also rests on the results of Iran and USA match, as the Asian giants are second in the group with three points. USA is in third with two points.
Gascoigne, nicknamed Gazza, was commenting on recent defeats suffered by powerhouses like Germany, Argentina, and Belgium.
In the opening matches, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Group C, while Germany lost to Japan 2-1 in Group E.
Meanwhile, in Group F, Morocco defeated FIFA’s second-ranked country Belgium, 2-0.
England last won the World Cup in 1966.
‘Neymar’s injury a miss for Brazil’
Meanwhile, Gazza added that forward star Neymar Jr’s ankle injury, which he sustained in Brazil’s opening win against Serbia, would be “a big miss” for the team.
“If you got someone as brilliant Neymar and not play him, it will be a big miss.
“Every team has a special player. For England (during Gascoigne’s time), it was Bryan Robson.
“Despite having three broken legs and a broken collarbone, when he does not play for the team, we would always miss him,” said Gazza, describing English football legend Robson as Captain Marvel.
Brazil’s second group match this morning against Switzerland, however, proved that they could proceed without Neymar on their side after winning the match 1-0.
55-year-old Gazza, who played for Newcastle mid-1980s, was met at a fans meet-and-greet event organised by the Melbourne Capital Group in association with KL Rangers Supporters Club held at Bar Roca, last night.
He also earned 57 caps with the England squad from 1988 to 1998. – The Vibes, November 29, 2022
