England swept the Republic of Korea of their first aggressive encounter of 2023, claiming a 4-0 victory due to objectives from 4 totally different goalscorers to kick off their Arnold Clark Cup marketing campaign on a flyer.
Simply 5 months from the beginning of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the Arnold Clark Cup serves as a costume rehearsal for this summer season’s match, which the Lionesses are collaborating in as reigning European champions.
Georgia Stanway broke the impasse from the penalty spot within the fortieth minute, earlier than a blistering begin to the second half noticed Sarina Wiegman’s dominating facet rating twice in 4 frantic minutes.
Chloe Kelly discovered the seconds crisp after the restart whereas Alessia Russo added a fairly, however good third within the fiftieth minute.
A ruthless second-half show was accomplished in type by Lauren James with 12 minutes remaining, who began forward of Lauren Hemp, and now claims a compelling function for a everlasting function in Wiegman’s plans after making his worldwide debut in final September. The purpose, taken in spectacular trend, was his first in an English jersey.
“I am perplexed. Now I can construct on that confidence. I am proud of the consequence,” James summed up after the sport. “I wish to hold bettering and see the place it takes me.”
The spherical robin desk sees England – now unbeaten in 27 video games beneath Wiegman, with 23 wins – main on purpose distinction forward of Belgium, who gained 2-1 in opposition to Italy within the kick-off. earlier cargo.
How England’s World Championship credentials are getting higher and higher
England’s Georgia Stanway and Korea Republic’s Kim Yun-Ji battle for the ball in the course of the Arnold Clark Cup match
It took England 40 minutes to get again to their typical rhythm – prompting Wiegman to lament the ‘terrible’ pitch after the sport – however as soon as Stanway struck an emphatic following kick from James knocked down within the floor, the floodgates opened.
Kelly and Russo then scored in fast succession shortly after the break earlier than James capped off a fantastic efficiency by smashing his senior English duck – avoiding a problem and hanging past the clutches of Kim Jung-mi.
Russo was not too long ago changed by Rachel Daly for a prime look, however not earlier than scoring the purpose of the night time, assembly Alex Greenwood’s low cross and ending neatly to trick Kim Jung-mi into his close to publish – a one other present of the Manchester United striker’s immensely inventive capability.
Alessia Russo scores cheeky chip so as to add England lead
Captain Leah Williamson, on her return from harm, took on the function of midfielder in Keira Walsh’s absence as Wiegman demonstrated his dedication to ‘attempting new issues’, not altering a single choice from begin on the street to Euro glory.
“I wish to attempt issues. This match is actually the beginning of preparation for the World Cup,” commented Wiegman.
Manchester Metropolis midfielder Laura Coombs, who was launched within the second half forward of Jordan Nobbs, additionally earned her first cap since 2015, whereas fellow substitute Katie Robinson hit the fitting within the closing levels. “We actually must see just a few issues to see the place we’re as a crew,” added Wiegman. “We wish to attempt a number of issues and we did that tonight.”
England proceed their Arnold Clark Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Italy in Coventry on Sunday.
Wiegman: I do not like choice complications – however this time, sure
Alessia Russo celebrates the purpose with Alex Greenwood
England head coach Sarina Wiegman:
“It was horrible floor, it was exhausting to maintain up the velocity. We did rather well. It isn’t the World Cup but. Final season Lauren (James) was nonetheless constructing – she Taking part in increasingly more now She feels good Us There are such a lot of strikers who’re doing nicely, now we have alternatives within the beginning XI and to change in order that’s good.
“Lauren has been a expertise for a very long time. She simply needed to be accessible. She labored exhausting at Chelsea after which she will take the subsequent step to the nationwide crew. Now hopefully she has some consistency.
“I am unable to complain in regards to the depth of this crew. I do not wish to have complications – however this time I’ve. They actually collaborate as a crew. It is an actual pleasure to work with them as a result of they’re so keen to enhance.”
Bell: England are ‘the most effective girls’s crew on the planet’
Korea Republic head coach Colin Bell:
“For me they (England) are the most effective crew on the planet in the mean time. Sarina Wiegman has an enormous crew. There is top of the range there. Do you say no to this chance to play in opposition to the most effective No. We needed to park three or 4 buses. First half, we had been nicely organized, we did fairly nicely.
“Sadly, the ladies had been absent [in the second half] – it was wave after wave of assaults. Enormous physique of English women. They assault with a lot tempo and energy.
“England have an excellent likelihood of successful the World Cup. The crowds are coming, the gamers have gotten family names. Success will come, I am certain.”
Evaluation: James is unstoppable
Lauren James scored her first senior worldwide purpose in opposition to Korea Republic
Laura Hunter from Sky Sports activities:
Lauren James is a revelation. So highly effective and imposing with the ball, however so disciplined and regimented with out it. She’s well-honed, that is for certain. Emma Hayes at Chelsea, and now Wiegman at worldwide degree, have had an exquisite affect on James’ improvement.
She glides throughout the pitch so simply, carrying the ball into tight areas and displaying high quality far past her years. It was solely his sixth worldwide cap. It is as if she burst onto the scene the identical approach Alessia Russo did final yr. She impresses within the WSL and he or she definitely impressed tonight.
If she continues to shine – and there is not any cause to imagine she will not – she’ll be a shoo-in for England’s World Cup squad. Furthermore, with Beth Mead dominated out long-term, the 21-year-old has an actual likelihood to ascertain some much-needed consistency. England have been ready to launch James for a while – now that they’ve accomplished so, there appears to be no turning again.
Evaluation: Zelem is price it
Sky Sports activities’ Anton Toloui:
Leah Williamson was granted one other run by midfield by Keira Walsh’s harm, however England seemed extra threatening when she moved to centre-back within the second half.
Is it time to lastly let Katie Zelem be the official England substitute for Walsh?
The Man Utd midfielder seemed tidy in possession and supplied extra within the remaining third than the England captain. Zelem isn’t but a starter for England, which may nicely change earlier than July.
And after?
England play Italy of their second Arnold Clark Cup match on Sunday on the Coventry Constructing Society Area, kick off at 3.15pm.
The Lionesses full their group stage marketing campaign at Bristol Metropolis’s Ashton Gate on Wednesday 22 February in opposition to Belgium, to start out up 7:45 p.m.
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