Isyaku Ibrahim
Definitely, English National Team the Three Lions, since winning the World Cup as far as 1966.almost 58 years ago, have never came closer to lifting any event despite the fact they are the pioneers of modern soccer
Although they tried utmostly four years back in lifting their first major event but this was not practical as they were defeated by Azzuri of Italy via penalty kicks at home soil Wembley Stadium before their fanatical fans
But just Wednesday night at Dortmund stadium, the Lions edged out Oranje Boys as Netherlands National Team is fondly called by two goals to one to set a date with La Rojas of Spain on Sunday night in Berlin
Certainly the game is going to be fierce in view of the existing staunch rivalry between the two countries in the field of soccer
While Spain have won the cup thrice their opponents are yet to see the light of the day despite the established stars they are having let along boosting of having the best league in the whole of Europe if not the world as a whole as pundits have made mentioned
Obsulutely as football beside being a game of mistake, it also entails lucky and surprise
To be sincere, anything can happen particularly as is the final match of the tournament
On paper most pundits will give the tie to La Roja of Spain at the expense of Three Lions in view of the hurdles they crossed before reaching the last stage going by how they eliminated the host Germany and later on Les Blues of France on tuesday
But as I have said earlier on anything can happen in the round leather game if one could recall how underdogs Greece and Denmark surprised the super powers in the past
Undoubtedly, to gaffer Gareth Southgate of England who was adjudged to be the best English coach after Sir Alfred Ramsey, who won the World Cup as early as 1966,it is an affort worthy of commendation hence, must hold his head high as regardless of the wild criticism he has been facing both at home and otherwise, he set another enviable record among his contemporaries
By and large what remains for the tactician is to lift the trophy which is what soccer crazy English people having yearning and aspiring for for almost six decades
This will surely help him in proving his hidden and unhidden adversaries wrong as a champion a rightful statement says has no enemy
As what remain to be seen is who will be the new bride, the million Naira question is could present crop of players under Skipper Harry Kane accomplish a task that others comprising Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer, Tony Adams, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Bull, Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne, Peter Shilton, Tony Woodcock, David Platt, Trevor Francis, Paul Mariner Des Walker among others failed to do during their prime
Without much ado, setting the record will accord Jude Bellingham an added advantage of grabbing Ballon D”or which has eluded footballers of English roots
Beside that it will erase the understatement being meted on Captain Harry Kane concerning lack of silverware in his track record
Until we meet next
