Sports
CAPTAIN Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England as he fired the Three Lions to victory over Finland in the Nations League at Wembley.
The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.
He becomes just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).
“I don’t think I was even thinking of 100 caps when I was on loan at Millwall, Norwich and Leicester,” Kane said.
“From being a young age, from being doubted to go on and do what I have done – I just think that helps keep you focused and motivated in training and games.
“In general and nowadays as a footballer you’re going to get criticism, you’re going to have people talk about you as a player. I’ve always spoken about when things aren’t going your way using that to motivate you and bring an energy and hunger inside you to go and perform.
“Come October I will be ready to go again.”
‘So fitting for him’ – Kane’s memorable night
Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap to mark the achievement, and also wore golden boots during the match.
“The night belongs to him and his golden boots, so fitting for Kane,” former England defender Matthew Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s a match which will not live long in the memory other than that reason. Two super-sharp finishes, the first one was hit with venom and power, then the second one was a real centre-forward finish – that is the moment of the game.
“The rest of the game we can pull it apart, but it belongs to Harry Kane.”
But while it became a night to remember for Kane, a few days ago he was not even sure he would be there.
“There was a late change to mark Harry Kane’s 100th appearance for his country,” BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Ian Dennis said.
“When I spoke with the England captain at the team hotel on Friday in Dublin he told me they were looking to celebrate his landmark occasion in October. The reason was because he wasn’t sure at the time he would start the game against Finland.
“As a result it meant ‘a lot of this has been last minute’ according to Kane. His family were still in Munich on Monday but travelled on the day of the game – his wife Kate and three of their four children.
“However, the occasion was too much for Louie, only three, who was in tears in the tunnel leaving daughters Ivy and Vivienne to act as mascots alongside their dad.”
Kane joins illustrious list
The Bayern Munich striker is the first person since Wayne Rooney in November 2014 to earn a 100th cap for England.
Rooney went on to earn 120 caps, putting him second on the all-time appearance list behind former goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125).
The others to have surpassed the century of appearances are David Beckham (115), Steven Gerrard (114), Bobby Moore (108), Ashley Cole (107), Bobby Charlton (106), Frank Lampard (106) and Billy Wright (105).
“When you look at the list [of players with 100 caps] it is a list of some our greatest players,” Kane said.
“I’m sure when I’m retired I’ll look back on this with immense pride.”
Kane said he will next target reaching 100 goals after making his 100th England appearance.
“I’ve done around 15, 16, 17 caps a year whereas a normal year would be 10,” he added.
“The goals were similar. I felt I was on 30 goals and then I went to 50 and then 60.
“It is definitely there and definitely possible. I feel like I am in a good place and these are good targets to try to reach.
“Some people may see them as unrealistic but I would rather go for something unrealistic and not quite make it rather than be comfortable just saying I will be happy with 70 or 80 goals.”
–BBCSport
A.I
Sept. 11, 2024
Tags: Harry Kane WAYNE Rooney
