SheBelieves Cup perfect for England's World Cup preparation, says Ellen White
Monday 25 February 2019 21:53, UK
England Women are treating the SheBelieves Cup as vital World Cup preparation, says Birmingham City forward Ellen White.
The Lionesses face Brazil in Philadelphia on February 27, before taking on USA in Nashville three days later and then Japan in Tampa on March 5.
The tournament will act as vital preparation for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup finals later this year where England will once again face Japan in their final group game.
England suffered a blow on Sunday when Manchester City midfielder Jill Scott withdrew from the squad to concentrate on returning to full fitness for the World Cup in France in the summer.
But White told Sky Sports News the squad is fully focused on three big challenges in the next few days.
"Obviously we're excited to face Brazil. It will great to play them and it will really set us for the World Cup," she said.
"It will be a tough game, they have been in camp for two or three weeks so they will be really well prepared.
"The US is always a tough game for us, Japan are in our World Cup group so it will probably be a game of cat and mouse.
"Each game will have different things we can take into the World Cup so we're excited and we're definitely treating this as World Cup preparation."
Assistant coach Bev Priestman reiterated that the SheBelieves Cup is ideal preparation for the World Cup in the summer.
"I think this group will be hungry to make sure we and go and get that result against Japan whether it be now or in the World Cup, and whether now makes sure we do it in the World Cup," she said.
"Being our last fixture together this group will be keen to make sure they beat them.
The United States are likely to provide the stiffest competition in the next few days and Priestman believes the team will benefit from playing the best in the world so soon before the World Cup.
She added: "I think the US have shown they can consistently win, not only win but produce winning performances.
"They are a consistently high performing team and it's going to take a brave performance and a group of girls and staff that are confident.
"This is a great opportunity to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. We're treating this like a knockout round of the World Cup.
"You're playing the top ten teams in the world, so if we get a result against the US it's only going to help with the confidence to go into a World Cup."
