Toni Duggan optimistic over England Women World Cup chances
Friday 8 June 2018 16:41, UK
England and Barcelona star Toni Duggan is optimistic the Lionesses can become World Cup winners in 2019.
England currently sit second in their qualifying group, one point behind Wales with a game in hand.
Speaking ahead of Friday night's World Cup Qualifier against third-placed Russia, Duggan said: "We don't try and deny that we believe we can win the World Cup next year.
"First and foremost, we have to make sure we qualify, but as far as we're concerned, the preparations to try and become World Champions are already underway. Everything is geared up to that objective. That's just the mindset we have."
England know that a win in Moscow would see them return to the top of their group after Wales defeated Bosnia on Thursday night, and Duggan feels the change in management has been positive.
"We played a different style under Mark Sampson and, all credit to him, because we did really well. It worked for us, we were quite direct, but we were successful at doing it.
"But I think teams had worked us out a bit and we would have to adjust to the way they played, depending on the opposition."
We want to be on the front foot, we want to impose ourselves on them
Since former Manchester United defender, Phil Neville, took over from Mark Sampson, the Lionesses have only lost one game - to the USA in March's SheBelieves Cup Final - and are yet to concede a goal in qualifying.
"Now, under Phil, we want teams to have to adjust to us. We want to be on the front foot, we want to impose ourselves on them. We want teams to worry about playing England, rather than us worrying about them.
"I've learnt to be more patient (at Barcelona), more comfortable on the ball and the number of goals I've scored, I'm happy. I'm surrounded by other international players and it can only be good for England."
After England's game in Moscow they travel to Wales, before finishing their qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan.
