Outclassed England women's team are learning lessons

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Learning curve: Mark Sampson

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Ian Herbert

24 November 2014

England women’s team manager Mark Sampson says he would welcome the chance to host the United States — the leading nation in the world game — as he continues his quest to make his side competitive against the best.

The 3-0 defeat against Germany yesterday underlined the technical and psychological deficit between his side and those in the top tier of the women’s game.

England were careless in possession during a first half in which Silvia Neid’s side wrapped up the win.

But Sampson insisted that the 20th‑successive game in which they have failed to beat the Germans had provided lessons in how to tackle such opposition.

“If you want to be competitive, teams like Germany are the ones you have to find a way to beat,” he said. “We wanted to feel that pressure. It’s quite a pressure when you are 3-0 down after 45 minutes to a big German side. This team have always got better game by game. Look at the areas we can improve and where we have done well.

“We had more attempts on goal against Germany than in the past and more possession. The team wanted to produce a performance. In terms of character and effort, they certainly did.

“This can be a springboard for the women’s game. Not only for the England team but [to persuade people to] go and support their local team as well. The game is in transition and hopefully we will grow it again.”

The occasion was certainly of more significance than the result. “History makers”, proclaimed the cover of the matchday program for the 45,000 fans who defied torrential rain and transport issues — 5,000 more than the crowd that watched the England men’s team play Norway in a September friendly.

The 10,000 no-shows were likely because of the poor weather and Tube turmoil. But with the match screened on the BBC, this still felt like a successful launchpad to grow the women’s game in England ahead of the World Cup in Canada.

Neid’s players’ were remorseless, though. To put the result in perspective, Germany were playing without their first- choice goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and full-back Leonie Maier — and still won comfortably.

“We’ve had to bring in a lot of new players. Four or five have been injured,” said Neid. “We were bringing in youngsters from the Under-21 team so the outcome was absolutely wonderful.”

The Germans only concern, it seems, is with the type of surface that they will be asked to play at next summer’s World Cup.

A group of leading players have filed a lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination against the Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA over the decision to use synthetic pitches at the tournament. One attorney is representing nearly 50 players, including Angerer among other Germans.

England have more fundamental preoccupations.

Outclassed England women's team are learning lessons

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