"Have to agree with Wiegman that the red card (though deserved) makes it difficult to assess how much England have improved but they started the match much better than they have in previous games. Kendall, who won player of the match, played the full 90 and impressed on her debut. For the first time in a while, England looked assured in midfield and Walsh was not left to fend on her own during transitions. Some regular starters should be concerned the Aston Villa player may displace them."
"As for Australia, the red card, of course, did Montemurro no favours in assessing where his squad is at before next year's Asian Cup. One thing is for sure, though. The Matildas need to find some goalscoring threats. Kerr is still clearly finding her full form after such a lengthy period out and they cannot continue to rely on the 32-year-old. They play back-to-back games against New Zealand before they kick off their home Asian Games against the Philippines."
England began the match more assertively than in recent games and gained a numerical advantage after an early Australian red card. Kendall started on her debut, played the full 90 minutes, won player of the match and impressed with positioning, reading of the game, power and duel-winning. England's midfield looked more assured and Walsh received better support during transitions. The red card complicates assessment of England's genuine improvement. Australia must identify additional goalscoring threats as Kerr regains form after a long layoff. Australia faces back-to-back games against New Zealand before the home Asian Games opener versus the Philippines.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]