This was a training game - England & Tuchel now need to get serious

England's pre-World Cup preparations have been marked by significant experimentation, culminating in a low-key friendly against New Zealand where coach Thomas Tuchel fielded two distinct teams for each half. The approach allowed Tuchel to assess a wide range of players in challenging conditions, but the team's 1-0 victory, secured by a Harry Kane goal just before halftime, felt more like a glorified training session than a competitive match.

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To put it in context, a lot of our players last played together in November. That's half a year ago. We had four training sessions together, then mixed the team up completely.

This extensive rotation saw 22 different players feature in the game, a tactic not seen since June 2004. While understandable for giving players match fitness, it means Tuchel has had limited opportunities to establish a consistent starting XI. Key players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were rested after demanding Premier League and Champions League campaigns, further complicating the selection process. Tuchel acknowledged the challenge, noting that many players hadn't played together since November, with only four training sessions preceding this match.

Tuchel bears responsibility for some of the experimental selections in recent friendlies, including against Uruguay and Japan, where players who ultimately did not make the World Cup squad were given opportunities. Ivan Toney's appearance after a year's absence also highlighted the ongoing evaluation process.

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I was happier with the second half. I thought we had more hunger and more desire. We played better but did not score.

With the World Cup opener against Croatia looming on June 17, the upcoming friendly against Costa Rica is now crucial. Tuchel needs to field a lineup as close as possible to his intended starting XI to build rhythm, momentum, and combinations. Despite the experimental nature of the New Zealand game, Tuchel reported no injuries and expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the second half, noting increased hunger and desire, even without further goals. The focus now shifts to solidifying the team for the tournament's demands.

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The better the opponent gets, the better we will get.