England Only Draw Against Poland, Southgate Reveals Reasons For Not Using Player Substitution

Gareth Southgate (Twitter @england)

JAKARTA - England coach Gareth Southgate revealed the reason why he did not field his substitutes during his team's 1-1 draw against Poland.

Quoted by Antara from Sky Sports, Thursday, Southgate did not use the substitution quota at all until the end of the match.

Southgate gave the reason that if he made a substitution without a good reason, it could risk breaking the rhythm of the game that his squad was comfortable with.

It finishes all square in Warsaw, as @HKane's opener is cancelled out late on by Damian Szymanski's header. pic.twitter.com/MJvd35zxJK

— England (@England) September 8, 2021

"We are so comfortable and in total control that we will make substitutions if they really have to, and that can disrupt the rhythm we have", said Southgate.

He continued that he believed his decision would raise questions but Southgate insisted he did not see the need to make a substitution.

"I have no doubt at all that this will raise questions but we don't see that (substitution) is needed", said Southgate.

Overall, the 51-year-old coach was satisfied with England's performance although in the first 15-20 minutes he found it difficult to control the game.

The boss on tonight's #WCQ draw in Warsaw...pic.twitter.com/2nILBhdlsL

— England (@England) September 8, 2021

Southgate explained that England against Poland was filled with good players but then they could control the match in the second half even though in the end the match had to end in a draw.

"Overall, very satisfied. The opening 15-20 minutes was difficult to control the game. We are away from home and facing a country that is proud and has some good players", said Southgate.

"As half-time went by I think we started to gain a little more control without ever looking like creating clear chances. But then the second half I think we controlled the game".

In this match, England managed to take the lead first after their striker Harry Kane's strike managed to find the Polish goal which was guarded by Wojciech Szczesny in the 72nd minute.

However, in the extra time of the second half, Poland managed to equalize through Damian Szymanski utilizing a pass from Robert Lewandowski in the 90+2 minute which made the score 1-1.

Currently, England is still in first place in Group I of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in the European zone with 16 points from 6 matches, while Poland is in third place with 11 points from 6 matches.