England’s women’s football team are riding high after a 4-0 victory over Austria in August that put them top of group five. They must now embark on a two-legged UEFA play-off match for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
England are one of only four seeded nations that made it to the play off draw and find themselves alongside France, Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, all vying for a place in the finals next year in Germany. The draw, which took place on Monday, will see England pitted against Switzerland, with the first leg scheduled for 2pm on Sunday 12th September at Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhous Meadow Stadium.
Confident following recent form, Head Coach, Hope Powell, has announced an unchanged squad. Although feeling positive Powell is not wanting to rest on their laurels, aware that Switzerland could prove quite a challenge. Their last encouter at the Cyprus Cup tournament earlier this year saw a 2-2 draw and Powell admitted that, ‘on paper, we will be expected to qualify for the World Cup but we cannot underestimate the Swiss’.
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Switzerland has some talented young players, Powell describes them as an ‘improving’ team with plenty of potential so England will need to hold on to their current form to ensure they have the best chance of qualifying. The England coach was particularly pleased with defender Sophie Bradley, midfielder Steph Houghton and striker Ellen White, after the win against Austria so it perhaps no surprise she is making no changes to the squad.
You can follow the first match against Switzerland live on BBC Three at 19.05 on the 12th September, the second leg will be played at the Wohlen AG Stadium in Wohlen, Switzerland on Thursday 16th Septmeber, 19.00 (local time)
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers DOB Club
Rachel Brown 02.07.80 Everton
Siobhan Chamberlain 15.08.83 Chelsea
Defenders
Sophie Bradley 20.10.89 Lincoln Ladies
Steph Houghton 23.04.88 Arsenal
Lindsay Johnson 08.05.80 Everton
Claire Rafferty 11.01.89 Chelsea
Alex Scott 14.10.84 Boston Breakers
Casey Stoney 13.05.82 Chelsea
Rachel Unitt 05.06.82 Everton
Faye White 02.02.78 Arsenal
Midfielders
Laura Bassett 02.08.83 Unattached
Karen Carney 01.08.87 Chicago Red Stars
Katie Chapman 15.06.82 Chicago Red Stars
Jessica Clarke 05.05.89 Lincoln Ladies
Jill Scott 02.02.87 Everton
Sue Smith 24.11.79 Lincoln Ladies
Fara Williams 25.01.84 Everton
Rachel Yankey 01.11.79 Arsenal
Forwards
Kelly Smith 29.10.78 Boston Breakers
Eniola Aluko 21.02.87 Atlanta Beat
Ellen White 09.05.89 Arsenal
Kirsty Page, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
