International football returns with the December International break. The next fortnight sees the continuation of the Nations League, WAFCON + CONCACAF W Gold Cup Qualification, and a series of friendlies.
Read More›
“I didn’t want a biography…I said it shouldn’t be about me. But when you write a book then it is about me. I wanted it to be about the development of the game, about women and inspiring.”
Anyone who has spent time listening to or interviewing Sarina Wiegman will know that this response encapsulates the England manager. Wiegman is someone who always places the team above the individual, often looking slightly surprised by questions about her own successes.
International football returns with the October International break. The next fortnight sees the continuation of the nations Nations League, CAF + OFC Olympic Qualification, qualifiying for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup plus U19 Euro Round 1 Qualification amongst others. There are also a series of friendlies.
Just over a month on from the World Cup Final in Sydney, England earned an edgy 2-1 victory over against a reinvigorated Scotland. In a game littered with controversy, goals from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp were enough to see the Lionesses through, despite Kirsty Hanson narrowing the deficit just before the break.
England return home this week just over a month after the highs and lows of the World Cup. Such is the nature of football that no sooner have you completed one tournament then new challenges await. This time, it’s in the form of the Nations League with a derby against Scotland on Friday providing ample opportunity to brush away the cobwebs and the pain of that Final in Sydney.
A busy international period awaits for the Home Nations and Republic of Ireland. The senior teams all get their Nations League campaigns underway. Meanwhile, there are a series of friendlies taking place across the youth levels.
The new international season is underway. This September break sees the inaugural Nations League, CONCACAF Olympic Qualification and qualifying for WAFCON + the CONCACAF W Gold Cup plus the Asian Games amongst others. There are also a series of friendlies across the age levels.
Brisbane was the stage for an edgy night as England narrowly avoided elimination against Nigeria. It took a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out for the Lionesses, reduced to ten after Lauren James saw red, to eventually see off a spirited Nigeria and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Expect the unpredictable seems to be the new mantra for Sarina Wiegman’s side. After a vivacious performance in front of a partisan Adelaide crowd, the Lionesses progressed to the Round of 16 in style with a 6-1 victory over China. A brace from Lauren James and goals from Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly completed the rout. The Chinese pulled a goal back through a controversially awarded penalty that Wang Shuang duly converted.
“I just really want to win. We want to be the best; I want to be the best. That is what motivates me,” England manager Sarina Wiegman says as she sits down to chat to the traveling media on the Sunshine Coast. “What gives me energy is working with a team. We have so many talented players and my job is to get clarity on how we play together… And then it’s to get players connected, because that’s why team sports are so nice. If you get connected, you understand each other really well… that gives me energy.”