Women's World Cup: England can beat Canada to reach last four, says White

Ex-England skipper Faye White hopes a fearless approach to Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Canada can see England into the semis for the first time in their history.

England came from behind to beat 1995 winners Norway 2-1 on Monday night to set up a last eight clash with host nation Canada in Vancouver this weekend.

A vociferous crowd in excess of 50,000 is expecting at BC Place, but despite losing 1-0 to Canada in a warm-up in Hamilton last month, White insists the hosts can be beaten.

“It's going to be a great occasion and at a World Cup you want to experience everything,” White told Sky Sports.

“There will be 50,000 fans on Saturday not wanting England to do well but I think our players will feed off that. They will feel like they are not under any pressure and are not expected to win, and when we’re in that position, that's where I think we are most dangerous.

“Canada have plenty of threats and they were better at keeping possession than us in that game (in Hamilton), but we have both beaten each other in previous years at the Cyprus Cup.

“It's one of those games that could go either way, but I really think it's all on them this time. 

“The best mind-set to approach the game will be with no fear and no pressure and I think they are beatable. We know England have beaten them in the past and I think it’s going to be a tight game.”

We have both beaten each other in previous years at the Cyprus Cup. It's one of those games that could go either way, but I really think it's all on them this time.

Canada are coached by Englishman John Herdman, who managed New Zealand in the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups.

White added: “It's going to be a great occasion for both managers and John will be playing his home country after having the emotion if playing his previous team in New Zealand in the group phase.

“Let's see who can out-fox each other.”