THE ENGLISH VERSION PROGRESS TO THE FINAL 8

So it was the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon against just the ‘plain’ old Lionesses of England for a place in the last 8 at the World Cup, and it was the English version that prevailed in Valenciennes. In a match where the scoreline was a bit harsh on the African side, what it did tell was that Phil Neville’s team are very streetwise and dealt well with the physicality from their opponents, as well as their perceived VAR injustices which at times turned the game into a bit of farce with the referee losing control on a number of occasions.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NAIVETY

From watching the match, the worry for England is that if they were playing a better team they would have struggled as they made a lot of sloppy errors, however their opponents made many more, losing their heads and composure on numerous occasions but still could and probably should have scored a couple of goals. The Lionesses scored at key moments firstly from an indirect free kick on the edge of the 6 yard box after an unfortunate back pass, then just before half-time thanks to VAR correctly calling Ellen White’s goal onside. In the second half, soon after a Cameroon goal was rightly (by the letter of the law) chalked off, which would have made it 2-1 and anyone’s game, England extended their lead with an excellent pre-planned corner routine. The defending of it was atrocious and in a nutshell you could see the real difference between the teams in regards of tactics, organisation, structure and being ready for those little marginal gains an opposition side will use to get that edge. So 3-0 to England and in the end comfortable, but they know improvements will be required to achieve the real target of winning the tournament.

NUMERO UNO LOCKED IN

What has now become obvious is that Ellen White is the number one striker ahead of Jodie Taylor. She has hit the net 4 times and the only game she didn’t score was the a match she didn’t even play in, funnily enough it was her replacement Taylor who scored the winner against Argentina in that match, so back up is most definitely in place. The thing that has really impressed me about recent Manchester City signing is her hold up play, the fact she never gives defenders a rest with her pressing, how she brings other players into the game as well as her clinical nature in front of goal. She is undoubtedly now the first choice in the centre forward position and I think the fact she was taken off early in the second half, with the game pretty much won, against Cameroon tells you the manager thinks the same.

NORWEGIAN CHALLENGE AHEAD

So Norway up next in Le Havre for the Lionesses, a match they will need to perform better in across the 90 minutes as this Norwegian outfit will most definitely take advantage of any kind of poor performance. They were unlucky to lose to the hosts in their second match and in each of their other games they have done more than enough to be victorious, even in the penalty shootout against Australia, they looked assured with no nerve, a tough nut to crack no doubt.  I’m expecting a long night in Normandy to come.

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