LIONESSES MAKE IT ’SO
Russo confirms World Cup ticket
TOM BLOW
SARINA WIEGMAN knows England are one of the favourites for next year’s World Cup after securing qualification – but is urging fans not to get carried away.
The Lionesses booked their spot at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand by beating Austria.
“England has always been seen as one of the best countries worldwide,” said Wiegman. “We know that’s the case, but we’re just trying to do the things that we have to do – play football and try to become better every day.”
England reached the World Cup after winning all nine of their qualifiers so far – scoring 70 and conceding none. “I’m happy that we qualified today… we had a great qualification series,” added Wiegman.
The reigning European champions were expected to win after going 20 games unbeaten under the Dutch coach, but this game was never going to be a gimme.
Austria lost by just a goal to England in each of their previous two meetings and the visitors would have been forgiven for feeling nerves.
Those anxieties were quashed in the seventh minute when Alessia Russo – brought in to replace the retired Ellen White – pounced on a loose ball in the box to make it 1-0.
But Austria were far from finished. The trio of Verena Hanshaw, Laura Feiersinger and Barbara Dunst caused Lucy Bronze trouble down England’s right flank, and the volume inside the Stadion Wiener Neustadt grew with each home attack.
Yet Austria failed to capitalise, as all four of their first-half efforts missed the target. The hosts also found it tricky beating Millie Bright and Leah Williamson in the air – something many teams have struggled to do since Wiegman took charge 12 months ago.
Austria nearly got an equaliser just seconds into the second period when Julia Hickelsberger closed down England keeper Mary Earps. Fortunately for Earps, the ball deflected off Hickelsberger and rolled wide.
The Lionesses almost doubled their lead when Georgia Stanway tested Manuela Zinsberger with a low drive.
Feiersinger forced Earps into a fine save on the hour mark, but a second England goal felt inevitable. They got it through substitute Nikita Parris, who found the roof of the net on 69 minutes after a through ball from Stanway.
Few were doubting England’s place at the World Cup, as Lauren James, sister of men’s international Reece, made her debut off the bench.
The victory means it is now 21 games unbeaten for Wiegman’s Lionesses. “You never get bored with winning,” laughed the successful manager.
England are back in action on Tuesday night when they face Luxembourg in Stoke.
The Lionesses won 10-0 the last time the sides met 12 months ago.
AUSTRIA (4-3-3): Zinsberger 8; Wienroither 6, Wenninger 6, Georgieva 6, Hanshaw 8; Zadrazil 6, Puntigam 6, Feiersinger 7 (Hobinger 88); Hickelsberger 7 (Naschenweng (69, 6), Billa 6 (Wienerroither 80), Dunst 7 (Klobb 88). Subs not used: Klein, Degen, Schasching, Schiechtl, Kirchberger, Eder, Kresche, El Sherif.
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Earps 7; Bronze 6 (Daly 84), Bright 7, Williamson 7 (Carter 79), Greenwood 7; Stanway 9, Walsh 7; Hemp 6, Toone 6 (James 79), Mead 6 (Parris 62, 8); Russo 8 (England 62, 6).
Subs not used: Roebuck, Zelem, Wubben-moy, Nobbs, Stokes, Maciver, Salmon.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Georgia Stanway. Electric after the break and settled the game with her assist.
REFEREE: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu 6.