England return to top of World Cup qualifying group after victory

ENGLAND returned to the top of Women’s World Cup qualifying Group A with victory in Moscow yesterday.

They are now two points clear of Wales, who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.

Goals from Jill Scott (2) and Nikita Parris gave Phil Neville’s side victory and set up a possible group decider against Wales on August 8.

Before that, though, Wales have to see off the challenge of Russia, who are the visitors to Newport Stadium on Tuesday.

And manager Jayne Ludlow knows how important that game will be.

“I don’t think anybody involved at the start of this campaign would have thought we would be in this position right now,” said Ludlow.

“I took this role because I’m very passionate

RUSSIA WOMEN .................. 1 WALES WOMEN .................... 3

about helping all Welsh players achieve something they desperately want. We’re still on the road to doing that.

“Everyone did their jobs and it’s kept us on the road to potentially creating history, but the next game will decide that.

“(For us) the expectation is to be better than we have been in the previous game and that’s no different now. There’s areas we can improve on and there’s areas we’re really pleased with.”