Kane: We don't want to go home yet
England's forward Harry Kane applauds at the end of their 2018 World Cup quarter-final match against Sweden at the Samara Arena in Samara on July 7, 2018. PHOTO | YURI CORTEZ |
What you need to know:
- And Kane is thrilled to be held up as the figurehead of the team, even if his pregnant fiancée cannot be with him in Russia to join the celebrations.
- "As players, as a professional, we know our job on and off the pitch. It is good to inspire people and inspire kids watching this tournament, because I was one of those kids who grew up wanting to play for England," he said.
Harry Kane and the rest of the England squad are desperate to prolong their stay in Russia, with the next stop on their World Cup journey taking them to the semi-finals against Croatia.
After the drama and tension of a penalty shoot-out win over Colombia in the last 16, Gareth Southgate's side enjoyed a relatively straightforward passage to the last four thanks to a 2-0 win over Sweden in Samara on Saturday.
Harry Maguire and Dele Alli were on target with headed goals in each half as the Three Lions advanced to their first semi-final on this stage since Italia '90.
Under Southgate, this young squad has seen its popularity soar in the eyes of the English public and Kane says a happy family atmosphere around the camp is serving as extra motivation to extend their campaign.
"We have got a great squad. We spoke a lot about togetherness, the manager as well," he told reporters.
"Look, we just enjoy being here. We had the sense before the game that we don't want to go home yet. We don't want to let anyone down.
"We want to be here until the end. This is one step closer. We are enjoying it, we are enjoying the camp. We get to see our families now and then.
"We saw them after the game, which is great, but no one wants to go home. We just want to finish the job and we will try to do it.
"It is amazing to be part of this World Cup so far and I get the feeling from the boys that we don't want to go home. We don't want to go away. We are not finished yet. We have another game and we are ready for it."
And Kane is thrilled to be held up as the figurehead of the team, even if his pregnant fiancée cannot be with him in Russia to join the celebrations.
"As players, as a professional, we know our job on and off the pitch. It is good to inspire people and inspire kids watching this tournament, because I was one of those kids who grew up wanting to play for England," he said.
"So to be here and be part of it, to lead this team out makes me so proud. I know the family is proud, the missus is also proud and gutted she can't be here.
"Look, we are looking forward to hopefully finishing strong. Whatever happens, we can say that we are proud of each other."
