Sebastien Desabre insists DR Congo are ready to pull off a World Cup shock – and warned his players have been practising penalties.
England are red-hot favourites against DR Congo but the African side have already held Portugal to a draw and beat Uzbekistan in the Group stages. Desabre says his players are already penalty experts and also warned they are ready to cause a major upset in the last 32 tie in Atlanta.
DR Congo coach Desabre said: “Yes, we have practised penalties because we are professional. It’s one possibility to win the game by penalties. We won on penalties in the last AFCON and against Nigeria and the Ivory Coast and we have a lot of qualities. We can switch the goalkeeper also.
“It’s true there’s a gap. I mean England are fourth, we are 41 but we are determined to give a good account of ourselves. For those of you who have not followed our qualifying campaign, we have played a lot of sudden death games where it has been sink or swim and we came through. I hope we can clear the next obstacle as well.
“We don’t have a lot to lose tomorrow but we also take that as a motivation. We have already achieved our objectives but we can overcome the odds, we will do everything we can to move on. We think it’s a great opportunity to keep making crazy accomplishments rather than just coming here as tourists.”
Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa scored against Portugal and Desabre says they have studied England and are ready to beat Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Desabre added: “We have some players who are very familiar with the Premier League and some were even born in England. That’s a big motivation. But it’s hard to find a bigger motivation than to play against a top team like England at a World Cup.
View 2 ImagesThomas Tuchel will be hoping to avoid a World Cup shock(Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
“We have conceded some early goals in the tournament so far so we have to be better focused but we have to make sure we do not give up chances. It’s true we are very familiar with England. We have analysed them. They have made four substitutes in their last game.
“They pressed high against Croatia and faced a very low block against Panama so they have shown they can cope with different opponents and playing styles.
“We will have to be at out best to beat them and I hope my team will be at that level tomorrow. We have to play a good game, be well prepared and we have to some things to bring but only if we play a good game.”
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