England vs Lithuania - Southgate wants fans and players to be ambassadors for England - 7M sport

England vs Lithuania - Southgate wants fans and players to be ambassadors for England



Posted Sunday, March 26, 2017 by PA

England manager Gareth Southgate has called on players and fans alike to prove they are great ambassadors for the country at Wembley on Sunday.

Southgate's side host Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier, four days after travelling supporters marred the friendly defeat in Germany with shameful chants, including repetitive and repellent references to the First and Second World Wars.

The Football Association has condemned those actions, as well as reviewing footage to identify those responsible, and is hopeful of a more dignified showing on home soil.

A tone of sobriety and respect will be set by a minute's silence and an on-field tribute to the victims of Wednesday's terror attack on Westminster, while black armbands will be worn and the stadium's famous arch will turn red and white during the game.

Similar gestures were made for the friendly against France in November 2015, played in the aftermath of attacks in Paris, and Wembley rose to the occasion admirably as the entire crowd offered up a rendition of La Marseillaise.

Then, as now, armed police patrolled the perimeter and Southgate wants a similarly dignified response.

"We know how important the national football team is for the feeling of the nation, and it's a great opportunity for everybody to pay their respects at that moment, and to show we go on," said Southgate.

"Not just London, but the nation. That's our identity, historically. I thought the tribute before the France game was very poignant. This will be the same.

"That was a great advert for England supporters and England as a nation. The supporters are no different to us as a team, they represent the country when they go away and we want to be good ambassadors. The majority of supporters do that and generally our support is excellent.

"Unfortunately we have a few who were chanting things the other night that were unacceptable. We prefer to focus on those who support us well and it's a sell-out crowd again so we are grateful for the support."

Lithuania will bid to emulate Iceland by claiming a shock victory over England.

Manager Edgaras Jankauskas admitted Lithuania would love to haunt England with a victory every bit as damaging as Iceland's Euro 2016 triumph, in this weekend's World Cup qualifying Group F clash.

Iceland were ranked 34th in the world when they floored England with a 2-1 win in the last 16 of the European Championship last year, while Lithuania currently sit 107th in the world standings.

Former Lithuania striker Jankauskas knows all about upsetting the odds after making Porto's squad for their surprise 2004 Champions League final triumph over Monaco, the 3-0 win inspired by Jose Mourinho.

"Iceland would be a great example to follow," said Jankauskas.

"It's the example to follow but it will be an extremely tough game for us.

"First of all it's a privilege to play at such a legendary stadium and probably one of the best stadiums in the world.

"There are always chances and chances depend on us, (there are) many examples where not necessarily the favourites win the game.

"We are a humble team but we have our game plan and we'll stick to that.

"We'll think more about our game than the opponent, we know we play against top, top players, representing the best league in the world.

"It's a great test for us where we have to be collective, tactically and mentally strong to deny that quality.

"It's going to be very difficult, we know that, but it's a great test for us.

"It's a great experience to test ourselves, how far can we go, push ourselves above the limit.

"Because to match those players, our opponents, we have to do much more than we are used to. And that's going to be a great test for us all."



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