HARRY KANE LAUNDS CLUBS WORLD CUP: 'LOVING THIS TOURNAMENT '

Harry Kane has said that Bayern Munich's Club World Cup win over Boca Juniors was played amid "one of the best" atmospheres of his career and added that he is "loving this tournament so far."

The England captain opened the scoring with an 18th-minute strike as the 2-1 victory, played in front of a full Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, saw Bayern become the first team to qualify for the knockout stages.

Argentine football fans are renowned for their passionate support and the atmosphere they can create is considered one of the most intense in world sport.

Boca supporters have made their presence known in Miami with fans gathering on the beach in their thousands and singing in local Walmarts.

Asked if he was surprised by the Boca fans, Kane said: "No, not surprised. I expected them to be loud like they were but it was an incredible atmosphere to be honest. One of the best [atmospheres] of my career. Credit to them but also credit to the Bayern fans. They tried to help us as much as possible but it was hard with all of the Boca fans there. They made it a special night, they won't go home happy but it was a great game."

Bayern's win followed eye-catching victories for South American sides over more fancied European opponents. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain were shocked by Botafogo before Chelsea came unstuck against Flamengo on Friday.

FIFA's revamped competition has faced heavy criticism but Kane said he has been enjoying the post-season tournament in the United States.

"I think it's great to experience different teams and I think you've seen in this tournament already the South American teams especially have caused big problems for some of the European teams," Kane said.

Harry Kane scored Bayern Munich's first goal in their 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in Miami. Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

"It shows how big football is worldwide and how good some of these players are. You have to be ready for the next game, the next opportunity. I'm loving this tournament so far and hopefully we can be here for a while."

Soaring temperatures in the U.S. have been a talking point with Dortmund planning to rotate their team to overcome the hot conditions they expect on Saturday, with coach Niko Kovac fearing the impact of the midday sun in Cincinnati.

But Kane insisted playing in the heat is to be expected in summer tournaments.

"I'm not concerned [about the heat]. I think it's part of football. You have to be able to adapt," he said. "This is a great experience for me and some of the other England guys who are going to be playing next year in the World Cup. So, you know, something special about these kinds of Club World Cup games and next year will be the same.

"When you come off that pitch and you're sweating and you're dripping and you're cramping and you've given everything from the pitch, there's a special kind of feeling inside, especially when you win. That's what we have to do."

Asked for his thoughts on the tournament as a whole, Kane said: "I think, of course, it's the first ones, so people are a little bit sceptical of what it's going to be like, but if you're playing the best teams in the world every four years, it's going to be a really prestigious tournament in the future."

Bayern face Benfica in their final group stage game on Tuesday.

Information from ESPN's Lizzy Becherano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN

CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 | GROUP STAGES

 

CARLOS TEVEZ ON HOW HE SPENT HIS FIRST BIG PAYCHECK

Carlos Tevez:  "I received my first big salary when I went from Boca to Corinthians. I bought 10 houses and took all my uncles and aunts out of the neighbourhood.

"We had a bbq at home and I gave each of them their key, without them knowing anything. I surprised them all." 🇦🇷

I WANT TO PLAY FOR ARSENAL! - DIEGO MARADONA | 1982 NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

 

'I WANT TO PLAY FOR ARSENAL': WHEN DIEGO MARADONA ALMOST MOVED TO HIGHBURY

Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60. Worshipped like a God in Naples, fondly remembered in Barcelona and a hero in his native Argentina, he very nearly lit up Highbury too. Dan Mountney tells the tale of when one of the greatest to ever play the game

The year was 1979, and Arsenal boss Terry Neill was eyeing a teenage Argentine prodigy making waves in his homeland.

Jet black hair, a diminutive stature at just 5ft 5in but with legs built like tree trunks, a 19-year-old Diego Maradona was mesmerising the crowds at Argentinos Juniors with his quick feet, vision, close control and eye for goal.

After making his debut in 1976, the playmaker had netted 19 goals in 1977 Primera Division season, followed by 26 in both 1978 and 1979. Neill very much liked what he saw and made his move.

It would have been a major transfer coup for the Gunners with a number of clubs already monitoring the highly-rated teenager, but the club were clearly being ambitious having also lined up a move for Glenn Hoddle from rivals Tottenham.

Neither transfer would materialise.

"Hoddle rejected the chance to move to Highbury after having reservations about crossing the north London divide, while a move for Maradona fell through.

"When I was 19 they tried to buy me and another player from Argentinos Juniors – around the time Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles signed for Tottenham," said the Argentine in a 2008 interview.

"But it didn’t happen. I sometimes wonder what might have happened."

Neill wasn't done in his pursuit of the mercurial Maradona, and he would try his luck again three years later.

During the intervening years, Arsenal had hit a bump. 1980 saw the Gunners lose two finals in the space of four days as they lost to West Ham in the FA Cup final and then Valencia in the Cup Winners' Cup showpiece.

They also sold and then failed to replace Franck Stapleton and Liam Brady, with results taking a turn for the worst as Highbury attendances often fell below 20,000.

It was clear they needed a spark, so back they went for Maradona in March 1982.

As for the Argentine, he'd left Argentinos Juniors in 1980 after 116 goals in 166 games to join Boca Juniors, rejecting a host of offers in the process. 28 goals in 40 games followed for Buenos Aires-based giants, and so did attention from Europe.

Former Sheffield United boss Harry Haslam helped broker Arsenal's move. During his time as manager at Bramall Lane, Haslam had tried to sign Maradona as a 17-year-old in 1978 after spotting him on a scouting trip, but the Yorkshire club failed to stump up the £200,000 fee.

A £4m deal was agreed between The Gunners and Boca, but then the problems started.

Argentinos Juniors were still owed the first £1m instalment of Maradona's transfer to Boca. They took them to court to get it too, with a judge ruling Boca couldn't sell the player until the money had been paid.

Then the deal ran into problems in the House of Commons. Tom Lorney, Labour MP for Bradford, demanded Sports Minister Neil MacFarlane open an inquiry into the deal to help curb the 'excessive fees' being paid by football clubs.

Arsenal had found a way around this issue though, and planned to pay the transfer fee using sponsorship - much like they had planned to do in the 1970s when heavily linked with a move for Johan Cruyff.

The final blow to Arsenal's hopes of signing Maradona came from the FA who vowed to block any move.

A newspaper report from March 1982 read: "Diego Maradona, the £4million Argentina superstar admitted last night: 'I want to play for Arsenal'.

"Maradona, who is reported to earn a staggering £7,500 a week with Boca Juniors, broke his silence on a possible move to Highbury which had been set up by former Luton and Sheffield United manager Harry Haslam.

"Haslam has been acting as an Arsenal spy in South America but as he travelled back to London with his report the Football Association vowed to block any move by Arsenal to bring Maradona to England.

"League secretary Graham Kelly confirmed that the Management Committee didn't want foreign players from outside the EEC being granted a work permit for two years."

Sadly for Gooners, the move never happened. Vladimir Petrovic was signed from Red Star Belgrade instead and although he became a cult hero amongst the Highbury faithful, supporters can only dream of what Maradona would have done in the famous red and white.

If Arsenal's move had progressed any further it would have hit a further stumbling block, with the UK and Argentina going to war in the Falklands at the beginning of April 1982, just 11 days after the newspaper reports on his possible arrival.

Instead, Maradona would join Barcelona that summer in a world-record £5m deal and the rest is history. He would go onto to become one of the greatest of all-time, representing the likes of Napoli and Sevilla while also winning the 1986 World Cup with Argentina.

What can be said for certain is that for all his controversies and misdemeanours, Maradona was the star of his generation and will forever be remembered as one of football's greats. For some, he is even the greatest.

The thoughts of everyone at the Gooner Fanzine go out to Diego's family and friends at this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. A true icon.

CARLOS TEVES: DEAL ALMOST DONE FOR CARLOS TEVEZ SAYS GUS POYET

Shanghai Shenhua's coach Gus Poyet has confirmed that Carlos Tevez's move is almost done...

ANTONIO CONTE: CARLOS TEVEZ AMTOLEA NJE CONTE

Katika harakati za kuimarisha safu ya Chelsea Antonio Conte aliamua kumfukuzia Carlos Tevez lakini Tevez ametoa nje...Safu ya mbele ya ya Diego Gosta akisaidiwa na Michy Batshuay inaonekana badi inahitaji mtu wa kuisaidia na alitaka Tevez aje lakini Tevez kachomoa...Kwa sasa Tevez anachezea Boca Juniors na amesema msimu huu hato rudi Premiership...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.