Harry Kane may not have found the back of the net against Norway, a feat accomplished by his younger teammate Jude Bellingham, but he certainly made an impression during the post-match media session. Speaking at an impressive pace, Kane delivered a 390-word response in just 124 seconds, leaving some Japanese fans, who were tuning in for insights from English footballers, bewildered.
Using Kane as a model for listening practice in Eiken Grade 1 English speaking exams might not be the most practical approach. Voice expert Molly Parker noted that Kane hails from Walthamstow and possesses a North London, Estuary accent. While not as challenging to understand as some regional accents from the North or Scotland, it still presents difficulties due to features such as glottalization, where sounds like “t” become softer, almost resembling “f.” For instance, “think” may sound like “fink.”
Japanese audiences found themselves struggling to decipher his rapid and cheerful delivery. Kane remarked on the match, saying, “It was a tough game in extreme heat, possibly even more challenging than our match against Mexico due to the humidity… Yet again, we found a way to persevere. We recognize that it wasn’t our best performance, and I mentioned in yesterday’s press conference that there’s another level we can reach. We still feel that as a team, we haven’t quite reached our potential.”
He praised Bellingham’s impact on the game, stating, “Jude was a game-changer today, and our defenders really stepped up. Everyone put in an incredible effort. The most crucial element for our team is the desire and determination, which we demonstrated abundantly today.”
When questioned about the manager’s feelings regarding the team’s performance, Kane responded, “Has he mentioned that to you?” He acknowledged that Tom Tuchel congratulated the team in the locker room, suggesting there was a part of him that understood they could perform even better. Kane emphasized that they were only in the quarter-finals, with Argentina on the horizon, while Switzerland remained a potential opponent.
“In a way, that’s a positive,” Kane continued. “We find ourselves in the semi-finals of the World Cup while knowing we can still improve. If we can manage possession a bit better, we have significant matches ahead.” England’s path includes a potential clash against France, assuming they can advance past Argentina or Spain.
Discussing the defense, which includes Djed Spence, Reece James, and Dan Burn, Kane expressed, “We talked about this six weeks ago, knowing we would need everyone. It can be tough for those who don’t always start, but when they come onto the field, they give everything for the team. Today, the substitutes made a significant impact, particularly Djed, whose energy in one-on-one situations helped turn the game for us.”
He acknowledged the quick turnaround to their next match, stating, “We play again on Wednesday, and the next game against either Argentina or Switzerland will be even tougher. We’ll need everyone’s contribution this week.”
While Kane’s previous interview went viral after he lost his voice against Mexico, this latest session has gained attention in Japan due to his rapid speech. Additionally, his singing abilities have not escaped criticism. Musician Noel Gallagher commented on Twitter, “It’s a challenge to hear Harry Kane sing ‘C’mon England, c’mon Wonderwall.’” Gallagher has even promised to perform if England clinches the World Cup.
In a celebratory moment, Kane and Bellingham linked arms, joined by the entire team, as they marked their victory, though the upcoming match against Argentina will undoubtedly be a tough test.
