Marc Guehi urges England to 'stick together' after World Cup defeat to Japan

[p]Brighton winger [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kaoru-mitoma/faIBBRXl/"]Kaoru Mitoma[/a]'s 23rd-minute goal [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/england-j9N9ZNFA/japan-ULXPdOUj/?mid=l0V9sPVq"]was enough to give an impressive Japan side victory at Wembley[/a] as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] suffered their first loss to an Asian nation.[/p][p]England's last game before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup squad left the manager with more questions than answers as a team without senior players [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kane-harry/v5HSlEAa/"]Harry Kane[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-declan/zkQ8Cm6n/"]Declan Rice[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saka-bukayo/08NLEo06/"]Bukayo Saka[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/stones-john/SlLxn4xl/"]John Stones[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Jude Bellingham[/a] struggled to impose themselves against Japan.[/p][p][b]"We can't sugarcoat it,"[/b] said stand-in England captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guehi-marc/KEeklutO/"]Guehi[/a]. [b]"It's always disappointing.[/b][/p][p]"You want to be winning those games, but the most important (thing) is going to the World Cup and being ready for that."[/p][p]The Manchester City defender added: [b]"I think we've shown that in previous years, where maybe the last few games before the tournament haven't been the best, but we've been there showing what we're ready to do.[/b][/p][p][b]"It's important we stay calm, we have each other's backs, stick together in these moments, because it's obviously not easy.[/b][/p][p]"But like I said, perspective, that's one for me."[/p][embed guid="041c2222-7543-4b24-bfb7-f1f47246caca" url="https://x.com/England/status/2039093496921858338?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Guehi, who led England in Kane's absence, said he had been surprised by Tuchel's decision to make him captain.[/p][p][b]"It was unexpected first and foremost, I didn't realise until pre-match,"[/b] he said. "[b]That is when he told me.[/b][/p][p]"I expected it to be Pickers (England goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pickford-jordan/SKTJdUtH/"]Jordan Pickford[/a]), because why wouldn't it be?[/p][p][b]"It's such a blessing, I am truly grateful. It's not something I have ever thought about, so it is really special for me."[/b][/p][p]Euro 2004 runners-up England are among the leading contenders for glory in North America as they attempt to win a first World Cup since 1966.[/p][p]But the Japan loss and Friday's 1-1 draw with a typically physical [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uruguay/xMk44orG/"]Uruguay[/a] meant England have still to beat a team in the top 20 of FIFA's world rankings under Tuchel.[/p][p][b]"It does not give me any concern,"[/b] Tuchel said of his record against leading nations.[/p][p][b]"I'm disappointed with the result, everyone is, but I think it is worth to put it into perspective," [/b]he added, with the German unable to field his preferred side against Japan.[/p][p][b]"We played against two top-20 teams," [/b]said Tuchel. [b]"Well drilled, very good opponents, who arrived in their best line-up."[/b][/p]