England: R.Brown, C.Stoney, M.Phillip, K.Chapman, R.Unitt, K.Carney (J.Handley 66), F.Williams, A.Asante (J.Potter 86), R.Yankey (S.Smith 66), V.Exley, E.Aluko (A.Barr 74).

Yesterdays friendly international in Cyprus ended goalless after a tight, competitive encounter in which England looked the better side in the first half but were forced onto the back foot for much of the second.

The fact that the defence, without captain Faye White as they will be against France next month, held firm will be seen as a massive plus by manager Hope Powell. Charlton's Katie Chapman, more normally employed in midfield, was outstanding.

England Ladies started brightly against a side that had beaten them in each of their previous eight meetings despite having allowed Kelly Smith to start on the bench.

After only two minutes Eniola Aluko was given a sight of goal but snatched at her shot and did not trouble the keeper.

The play was nicely open with both sides looking to push forward but England continued to look the more dangerous and almost took the lead on the quarter hour when Casey Stoney came forward to head a telling Karen Carney centre back across goal only to see it rebound to safety from the far post.

Sweden's first serious threat came midway through the half when Victoria Svensson slipped away from Mary Phillip just inside the box and forced a smart save out of Rachel Brown.

Shortly afterwards Svensson threatened to break clear again but Chapman, built for such things, whipped the ball off the Swedes toe at full stretch.

Despite not being at full strength both defences were proving difficult to break down. Without Smith England's attack often looked lightweight and Aluko had a mainly thankless task lacking real support through the middle.

Shortly before half time, however, the Charlton flyer found more joy as she moved wide to receive possession. Bursting clear down the left Aluko sent over a superb centre which Carney met unchallenged at the far post but could only direct over.

Half Time: England Ladies 0 Sweden Ladies 0

England could not maintain their momentum in the second half and gradually found themselves pushed further back into defence. There were few occasions when they looked like being undone, however, as they demonstrated admirable concentration and organisation.

The games rhythm was not helped by the steady flow of substitutions that began to interrupt proceedings midway through the half.

England had just made their first two changes when Sweden created their best opening of the game. Lotta Schelin made the chance, working a cheeky nutmeg on Casey Stoney and laying back an inviting ball to Svensson. From the penalty spot Svensson sliced her shot badly, however.

Two minutes later the roles were reversed as Svensson turned provider for Schelin but again the finish was wild, although Stoney deserves credit here for pressurising the shot.

The game appeared to be heading for an inevitable draw, and England certainly weren't looking likely winners, when a late opportunity almost brought a winner.

Jo Potter had only been on the field a couple of minutes but a free kick allowed her the chance to display the excellence of her set piece delivery and Jody Handley was only fractionally away from converting in front of goal.

Although Potter's opportunities are always hampered at international level by the presence of Rachel Yankey her form this season demands consideration. It must be possible to accomodate both these fine players in the same team.

So the draw was just about right over the ninety minutes but their was a lot for Hope Powell to ponder looking ahead to the France game.

The performance of her defence will have pleased her greatly and she will be happy to have got a result against such strong opponents without using her best player.

There were only glimpses that her attack can threaten the best defences without a fit and firing Kelly Smith, however.

Full Time: England Ladies 0 Sweden Ladies 0

Brown 8, Stoney 8, Phillip 7, Chapman 9, Unitt 8, Carney 7 (Handley 6), Williams 7, Asante 6, Yankey 6 (S.Smith 5), Exley 6, Aluko 7 (Barr 6).