Date
Date(s) - 19 Sep 2012
Location
Bank's Stadium
Categories
Details: Walsall Bank’s stadium has been selected by The FA to host England’s final qualifier, against Croatia on Wednesday 19th September, kick off 5pm.
A win will secure a place at the Three Lions’ fourth consecutive European Championship Finals to be held in Sweden in July 2013.
Only the top-placed nation in each group will automatically qualify for the Finals and Hope Powell’s charges currently lie second in Group 6, two points behind Holland but with this game in hand. The 5pm was fixed in order to coincide with every other final group stage qualifier.
The last time England and Croatia met, in Vrbovec in March, a Steph Houghton brace helped guide the visitors to a comfortable 6-0 win.
“It all comes down to this game,” said Powell. “We are unbeaten in qualifying and just need three more points to make it to Sweden so we know exactly what we’ve got to do.
“It is vital that we continue to qualify for major tournaments to keep raising the profile of women’s football in this country,” she continued.
“The level of support Team GB had throughout the Olympics was unprecedented and we hope that support for the women’s game carries on.
“Over 70,000 people watched us beat Brazil at Wembley and hopefully people now recognise how good women’s football actually is, and I’d like to think fans will come out in force to cheer England towards the Euros.”
Full squad
Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Linköping), Rachel Brown (Everton), Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy), Carly Telford (Chelsea).
Defenders
Laura Bassett (Birmingham City), Sophie Bradley (Lincoln Ladies), Steph Houghton (Arsenal), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Casey Stoney (Lincoln Ladies), Dunia Susi (Chelsea).
Midfielders
Anita Asante (Göteborg), Jess Clarke (Lincoln Ladies), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Everton), Fara Williams (Everton), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal).
Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Birmingham City), Toni Duggan (Everton), Kelly Smith (Arsenal), Rachel Williams (Birmingham City).
More info: Ticket hotline 01922 651 416 or visit www.eticketing.co.uk/walsallfc
