England team page
Squad
Coach: Hope Powell
Roster
Goalkeepers: Rachel Brown, Siobhan Chamberlain, Carly Telford
Defenders: Alex Scott, Casey Stoney, Faye White, Mary Phillip, Anita Asante, Rachel Unitt, Lindsay Johnson
Midfielders: Katie Chapman, Fara Williams, Jill Scott, Vicky Exley, Karen Carney, Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Sue Smith
Forwards: Eniola Aluko, Jody Handley, Lianne Sanderson
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 12th (sixth in UEFA)
Strengths: Hope Powell's team can play physical, attacking soccer, or it can play stylish, patient football: England's new-look women's team can fit the bill, no matter what the situation is. Fearless forward Eni Aluko's incredible speed and willingness to take on defenders will open up room for the mercurial Kelly Smith on the field. The 20-year-old Aluko is braced for a breakout performance in China. England's midfield is the heart of the team, while towering central defender and team captain Faye White, who recently did a rehab stint with the Ottawa Fury of the USL W-League after a knee injury, anchors the back line. The English side looked very strong in a 1-0 loss to China on Aug. 26, carrying the majority of scoring chances in the match. China's goal came on a mix-up between goalkeeper Rachel Brown and a defender. The loss is still a confidence builder for the Three Lions going into the tournament.
Weaknesses: Pressure. For years, England has been trying to build its women's game and the program has made great leaps under Powell's direction. But it will need to keep making jumps if women's soccer is to gain respectability and recognition in a nation that worships the men's national team and professional leagues. England has never advanced past a quarter-final at the World Cup and given the relative weakness of its rivals in this group, now would be the perfect time. In fact, it would be a major setback if they didn't.
Player to watch: It's hard to believe this will be Kelly Smith's first World Cup. She made her national team debut in 1997 at 17. Now 28, Smith has over 20 goals and 62 caps in her career. Torn knee ligaments and a broken leg kept her from helping England qualify for previous tournaments and now she will finally get to show the world what she's about. Smith is often mistaken for a midfielder because she's always involved in the offensive third of the field setting up teammates with through balls or simply burying the ball in the net herself. But in fact, Smith plays a schemer role just behind England's two strikers. Earlier this year, Smith was named MVP of the Four Nations tournament (a World Cup warm-up event featuring Germany, China and the U.S.).
Prognosis: Finishing second in the group and advancing to the second round would be an accomplishment for the Three Lions, but ultimately a quarter-final date with the U.S. may spoil England's World Cup party.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: England secured passage to China 2007 by placing first in Group 5 of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 qualification (UEFA).
Qualification record: 8 matches played, 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses
Goals for: 29 Goals against: 2
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Kelly Smith (9)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group 3): in Europe
Sept. 1, 2005: Austria 1, England 4 in Amstetten, Austria
Oct. 27, 2005: Hungary 0, England 13 in Tapolcia Stadium
Nov. 17, 2005: Netherlands 0, England 1 in Zwolle, Netherlands
March 26, 2006: England 0, France 0 in Blackburn, England
April 20, 2006: England 4, Austria 0 Gillingham, England
May 11, 2006: England 2, Hungary 0 in Southampton, England
Aug. 31, 2006: England 4, Netherlands 0 in London, England
Sept. 30, 2006: France 1, England 1 in Rennes, France
Women's World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 11: Japan vs. England in Shanghai (Hangkou Football Stadium) at 2000
Sept. 14: England vs. Germany in Shanghai (Hangkou Football Stadium) at 2000
Sept. 18: England vs. Argentina in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 1700
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HISTORY
This will be just the second World Cup appearance for the Three Lions after making their debut in 1995 in Sweden. During that tournament, England posted two wins (3-2 decisions over Nigeria and Canada) as well as two losses (2-0 to Norway and 3-0 to Germany). Current head coach Hope Powell was a member England's 1995 World Cup side.
Number of previous Women's World Cup appearances: 1
Hosted the Women's World Cup: never
1991: Did not qualify
1995: Quarter-finals
1999: Did not qualify
2003: Did not qualify
