by Nathan Edwards (29/6/23)
Above: The Lionesses lift the Finalissima trophy in April. They will be looking to complete the set of major international trophies in Australia this August. Photo: Lionesses.
England and their fans will head to Australia hunting for that elusive trophy that would see them complete the set of major international trophies in the space of a year.
In their last meet-up, back in April, the Lionesses won the inaugural Finalissma beating Brazil on penalties and then followed their success up with a much rarer defeat to Australia. Since that loss to the Matildas, Sarina Wiegman has seen her captain Leah Williamson tear her ACL and has picked a squad that has a slightly different look compared to last year’s Euro-winning roster.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck.
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Midfielders: Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Kiera Walsh, Katie Zelem.
Forwards: Rachel Daly, Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Katie Robinson, Alessia Russo.
Head coach
Sarina Wiegman has been in charge of the Lionesses team since August 2020 and has transformed this squad into a team that has dominated across every competition. During her reign, she has won two Arnold Clarke Cups, the Euros, and the Finalissima, whilst also only tasting defeat once in 31 games, which included a 30-game unbeaten run.
Before she took the role as England’s head coach, she was just one cap shy of a century of appearances for the Netherlands’ national team and also went on to manage her native country. During her time there, she won the Euros and also reached the World Cup final, losing to the USA, with the Dutch woman hoping that she can go one further this year.
World Cup History
England’s most successful World Cup came in 2015 when they finished third. Last time out in France, the Lionesses finished fourth after losing to eventual winners the USA in the semi-finals, and Sweden in the third-place play-off. They have appeared in three more World Cups, in 1995, 2007, and 2011 but were unable to progress past the quarter-finals.
How they qualified
Throughout Wiegman’s reign as England boss not much has gone wrong, and qualifying for the 2023 World Cup was no different. The Lionesses rolled past Luxembourg and Latvia, scoring 50 goals in four games and conceding none. They faced tougher opposition in the form of Austria, but even then, a front line of established Bundesliga forwards could break through a stern defence.
The qualifying process was interrupted by their conquering of Europe and the Arnold Clarke Cup, but the rhythm wasn’t ruined as they picked up maximum points in their ten games and were one of two teams to have kept clean sheets in all their fixtures.
Wiegman will know that they couldn’t have had a better qualification, but it will mean nothing if they can’t carry that form into the group stage and knock out rounds in the tournament.
Strengths
Winning know-how – Whether it is games or trophies, England just know how to get the job done now whatever situation they are faced with. They have rolled teams over such as Norway last summer, but have also had to face more challenge situations like when Brazil took them to a penalty shootout in the final moments.
These sort of experiences are vital for tournament football, and that ability to keep yourself calm in hectic situations could prove vital for the Lionesses.
Development area
Who leads the line? Since Ellen White’s retirement, Alessia Russo has taken the role, but with Rachel Daly breaking the WSL record for goals scored in a season, and Beth England in fine form, Wiegman will have to make a difficult decision when it comes to her number nine.
Russo has also had a difficult season, but when given the opportunity, she has shown her worth upfront.
Key player
Alex Greenwood – Normally a full-back for her country, Greenwood’s last game for England was as a centre-back against Brazil, where she impressed and it may be a role that she will have to play in this tournament due to Williamson’s absence. If she is chosen as a centre back, she will pair up with Bright who has had little game time since her injury, and may need sometime to get back up to full fitness. This could mean that Wiegman will rely on the Man City star to command that backline throughout the group stages.
Ella Toone – With Kirby’s absence it will down to Toone to fill that creative void, and it is something the midfielder has done well for England recently. She was a key player off the bench for England last summer in the Euros, but will no get the opportunity to affect games from the start, and when she is able to get going, she can win any game for England.
One to watch
Beth England – Midway through the season it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to say that England wouldn’t make it in the final 23, but after her move across London to join Tottenham Hotspur from Chelsea, she has been in red hot form. The striker finished the season with 12 goals in 12 games, and if she can translate to the national team, then she could be a useful option in the Lionesses squad.
Success would be
If the squad was fully fit then I would say success would be to win it, but after a couple of fresh faces have been called up to the squad, I will say the Lionesses would be happy with their first-ever World Cup final appearance.
Prediction
Despite losing their most recent game, everything that preseeded that 1-0 defeat to Australia has suggested England will go far. They have lost three of their most influential players in Williamson, Kirby, and Mead but Wiegman is fortunate enough to have had a strong pool to choose from, and I expect more teams will fear them than they’ll be feared, and I think they will feature in the final come 20th August.
Group D Fixtures
22nd July – Haiti, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
28th July – Denmark, Sydney Football Stadium.
1st August – China, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.
To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
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