39 Days
39 days to the Women's World Cup in Germany.
i watched England take on Sweden in their last friendly before the tournament yesterday and have decided that i should revive my blog for this World Cup.
It was an interesting friendly because you got to see two of the main contenders in action. England won 2-0. It was a game of two halves. Sweden were strong both physically and technically as they put England under pressure right from the start.
The interchangeability of Forsberg, Landstrom and Schelin gave England problems and created space for Seger and Sjogran to pop up in danger areas. Sjogran hit the post and Bardsley saved on the line during a corner.
It was only when England started pressing the Swedish back 4 that they saw more of the ball as Sweden made mistakes at the back.
But Sweden couldn't make their chances count and the teams went in at half-time level.
Hope Powell made 4 changes at HT, and they scored 2 minutes after the restart, after the lively Aluko won a corner. Yankey delivered, Jill Scott rose highest to head home. In truth, the Swedish keeper had been dodgy with crosses all night.
The Swedish blonde heads really dropped and England always threatened on the break. Aluko, Carney, Yankey, Jess Clarke is about the fastest Quartet you can have in attack. Aluko should have done better when put through twice.
Carney won a penalty on the 71st minute and converted it herself.
Sweden piled on the pressure in the last 5 minutes in a bid to score a consolation goal, but England held firm.
I think the injection of pace really changed the game. The timing of the first goal was really crucial as it dealt the Swedes a huge psychological blow and gave England the lift, having been second best in the first half.
It also forced Sweden to take more risks and left them vulnerable to the counter-attack. Again, a vicious cycle.
Overall, it was a massive result for the English girls because they have now beaten two of the top 5 nations in women's football (USA). And they have done it without captain Faye White and midfield dynamo Fara Williams.
Hope Powell will also have a selection headache in attack.
i watched England take on Sweden in their last friendly before the tournament yesterday and have decided that i should revive my blog for this World Cup.
It was an interesting friendly because you got to see two of the main contenders in action. England won 2-0. It was a game of two halves. Sweden were strong both physically and technically as they put England under pressure right from the start.
The interchangeability of Forsberg, Landstrom and Schelin gave England problems and created space for Seger and Sjogran to pop up in danger areas. Sjogran hit the post and Bardsley saved on the line during a corner.
It was only when England started pressing the Swedish back 4 that they saw more of the ball as Sweden made mistakes at the back.
But Sweden couldn't make their chances count and the teams went in at half-time level.
Hope Powell made 4 changes at HT, and they scored 2 minutes after the restart, after the lively Aluko won a corner. Yankey delivered, Jill Scott rose highest to head home. In truth, the Swedish keeper had been dodgy with crosses all night.
The Swedish blonde heads really dropped and England always threatened on the break. Aluko, Carney, Yankey, Jess Clarke is about the fastest Quartet you can have in attack. Aluko should have done better when put through twice.
Carney won a penalty on the 71st minute and converted it herself.
Sweden piled on the pressure in the last 5 minutes in a bid to score a consolation goal, but England held firm.
I think the injection of pace really changed the game. The timing of the first goal was really crucial as it dealt the Swedes a huge psychological blow and gave England the lift, having been second best in the first half.
It also forced Sweden to take more risks and left them vulnerable to the counter-attack. Again, a vicious cycle.
Overall, it was a massive result for the English girls because they have now beaten two of the top 5 nations in women's football (USA). And they have done it without captain Faye White and midfield dynamo Fara Williams.
Hope Powell will also have a selection headache in attack.
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