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Harry Kane says England will be 'aggressive and brave' at World Cup

Harry Kane during a training session at St George's Park on May 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent
Image: Harry Kane will captain England during this summer's tournament in Russia

Harry Kane says England will be "aggressive and brave" during this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Kane, who will captain his country at the tournament, acknowledged that England have been "passive" and have focused too much on avoiding defeat in previous tournaments.

That approach has seen them fail to reach the quarter-finals of a major tournament since 2006, while they have not reached the last four since 1996.

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Kane says the current squad will bring a fresh approach to this summer's World Cup, though, saying: "The aim is to be aggressive and brave in possession. We want to take this tournament head on.

"There will be tough moments, and ups and downs. Sometimes going into a big tournament is about not losing and being passive but, for us, it's about playing attacking football.

"We are aiming to win the first game, then to target the second, and take that attitude to the World Cup."

Kane has scored 13 goals in 24 appearances since breaking into the senior England side. However, he has not scored at a major tournament, having not found the net in any of his four appearances at Euro 2016.

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"Personally, that (scoring) record is something I want to change, and hopefully will this summer," said Kane.

England's previous appearance at a major tournament - Euro 2016 - ended in despair when they were knocked out of the last-16 by unfancied Iceland.

Harry Kane of England and Johann Gudmundsson of Iceland compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match between En
Image: Kane went goalless at Euro 2016 as England crashed out to Iceland in the last 16

Kane was part of that team, but does not believe England are in for a repeat of that chastening defeat this summer.

"I'm confident it won't happen - I won't say 100 per cent because you never know in football - but in this team we wear our heart on our sleeve.

"We're proud to be here, we will work hard, be energetic. First and foremost we will run around and do that aspect of the game. We have a lot of attacking flair that can do some damage."

England begin their Group G campaign against Tunisia on Monday, before matches against Panama and Belgium.

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