Women's World Cup: England v Canada preview
Saturday 27 June 2015 23:27, UK
England women face the most high-profile match in their history when they take on Canada for a place in the World Cup semi-finals on Sunday morning.
Mark Sampson’s Lionesses have already created history with their first ever World Cup knockout win against Norway in the last 16, but now look forward to an even tougher match against the hosts in Vancouver.
The game, which kicks off at 00.30 UK time, will be England’s most difficult test yet, but they go into the tie on a high following three wins in their first four matches.
After a disappointing opening defeat by France in Moncton, England went on to beat Mexico 2-1 before goals from Karen Carney and Fara Williams ensured victory over Colombia in their final group game.
England progressed as runners-up, setting up a tie against Norway in the last 16. They went a goal down in Ottowa, but captain Steph Houghton was on target to equalise shortly after.
Not content with a draw, defender Lucy Bronze – who has drawn praise for some fine performances in the tournament so far – scored with a stunning effort from 25 yards to send England through.
Hosts Canada are ranked eighth in the world – two places behind England – but have the advantage of home support for the match in Vancouver.
Sampson’s side have travelled over 2,000 miles west from their original group base for the match, whereas Canada played their last 16 match in the same stadium as this Sunday’s tie.
Canada achieved less points than England during their Group A campaign, but still managed to progress as winners. They beat China in their first game, before drawing with New Zealand and the Netherlands in their latter two.
In the last 16, the hosts faced 19th-ranked Switzerland, triumphing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Josee Belanger to set up their quarter-final clash with England.
To add some complexity to the narrative, Canada are coached by an Englishman – John Herdman. The Geordie, who harbours hopes of one day managing his beloved Newcastle United, will instead be trying to secure victory against his homeland to take Canada through to the semi-finals.
The match has been bumped up to a slot on terrestrial television in the UK, and is sure to make for compelling viewing as England continue their history-making campaign on the other side of the Atlantic.
