Sarina Wiegman vowed England Girls would “keep grounded” after they thumped reigning champions the Netherlands 5-1 of their penultimate warm-up match forward of subsequent month’s residence European Championship.
The Lionesses got here from behind to say the eye-catching victory at Elland Street, their eleventh win in 13 matches unbeaten beneath Wiegman.
The Dutchwoman, who guided the Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory and the 2019 World Cup remaining previous to changing into England boss final September, stated when requested about her aspect being spoken about as favourites to raise the trophy this summer time: “I believe there are various favourites for this event and we’re one in every of them.
“However we all know the place we wish to go to and we follow our technique and plans, and whether or not we’d lose or win now, we’re not going to hastily sit, we name it, on a pink cloud. We keep grounded.
“Even when we had misplaced as we speak, then nonetheless we all know what we will enhance, what we do effectively, and we wish to take the following step in our type of play.
“After all, the expectation will go greater, however now it’s a second. I believe we’re in place, however we nonetheless want to enhance a few issues, and we all know that.”
After the primary half had seen Lucy Bronze cancel out Lieke Martens’ opener, England had a let-off seven minutes into the second half when Sherida Spitse, on her two hundredth Netherlands look, struck a penalty off a put up and huge.
It offers confidence as a result of we all know now we have plenty of depth in our staff, plenty of high quality. I’ve a tough option to make for the primary XI
Sarina Wiegman
A minute later, Beth Mead put the hosts forward with a close-range end, fellow substitute Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp then added efforts within the 72nd and 74th minutes, and Mead subsequently netted her second late on to wrap issues up.
Wiegman stated: “I assumed it was an excellent match. We had a tough time the primary half, I believe the Netherlands did very effectively and we didn’t play to our strengths, we have been struggling, and I believe we performed an excellent second half.
“It offers confidence as a result of we all know now we have plenty of depth in our staff, plenty of high quality. I’ve a tough option to make for the primary XI.
“It was for us studying second (within the first half), that we have been behind. We haven’t been behind since I got here in, so it was good to see the response of the staff. Even after we have been struggling, we have been on it and in a position to deliver the sport to the extent that we must always have the ability to play.”
Beth Mead (left) celebrates her second aim of the night (Nick Potts/PA)
(PA Wire)
England play the ultimate of their three warm-up fixtures in opposition to Switzerland in Zurich subsequent week earlier than taking up Austria at Outdated Trafford within the opening match of the Euros on July 6.
After final week’s 3-0 victory over Belgium at Molineux, Wiegman had stated that “extra ruthlessness” could be required on the summer time’s event.
Requested how she felt in regards to the ruthlessness in opposition to the Netherlands, Wiegman stated: “Very comfortable.
“We’ve got been speaking about now we have to be extra ruthless, however I believe tonight, we scored the targets, we have been actually on it, and that’s very nice to see.”
Wiegman’s successor as Netherlands boss, Englishman Mark Parsons, expressed his view that England have been Euros favourites, and in addition stated he had “let down” his staff within the second half.
Mark Parsons felt he had let his aspect down (PA)
(PA Wire)
Parsons stated: “When the (remaining) whistle went, I knew I used to be going to be analysing a shorter recreation, with 60 minutes.
“There could be no level in wanting any additional as a result of I allow them to down. At that time the organisation ought to have been lots safer, extra defensive, as a result of the legs had gone and England have been simply getting more energizing and more energizing with their modifications, with the house crowd.
“I believe England will likely be favourites within the Euros, the place they’re at, the standard of gamers, the house crowd, the assets that the WSL have been placing in, the work the golf equipment have been doing. You add all that up and it’s very arduous to see that they’re not favourites.”
Kaynak: briturkish.com
