- Japan 1-0 England (White 84)
- Striker comes off the bench to secure win for young team
If there were numerous questions to be asked about England’s future under Phil Neville then this narrow victory did little to answer them. A late tap-in from Ellen White secured a desperately needed win against a Japan side they convincingly beat at the World Cup last summer and who kept the Lyon star Saki Kumagai on the bench. There will be relief in the dressing room but once again the Lionesses looked unable to get the better of a team that dealt well with them tactically.
Neville had been heavily criticised for his team selection in SheBelieves Cup opener, a tepid defeat to the USA. That 2-0 loss, their six defeat in nine games, heaped pressure on the games to follow –and when the teamsheet arrived there was a buzz in the air. The 19-year-old Lauren Hemp, who impressed against the world champions, was again entrusted with a place out wide and she was joined by Everton’s 22-year-old Chloe Kelly on the opposite flank and Chelsea’s top scorer, Beth England, up top. It was a fighting move from the beleaguered England manager and one fans and critics alike have been crying out for: to play the in-form young players ahead of the less convincing stalwarts.
Written by Suzanne Wrack at Red Bull Arena, New Jersey
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/08/japan-england-shebelieves-cup-match-report-football under the title “Ellen White pounces as England limp past Japan in SheBelieves Cup”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
