Lionesses fear no one and are no longer underdogs, says Rachel Yankey
Tuesday 23 April 2019 13:13, UK
Former England international Rachel Yankey says the Lionesses are no longer underdogs on the world stage and can play any opposition without fear.
The Lionesses are aiming to reach their first ever World Cup final, with their third-place finish in the 2015 tournament the best senior result for England since the men won in 1966.
Phil Neville's team have climbed to third in the world since then, winning the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year, and Yankey says the gap between the Lionesses and the top teams has been eradicated.
"You look at the FIFA world rankings, it's been closed," said Yankey. "Now this England team doesn't have a fear.
"Previous years, there was always an underdog feeling, but now this team is brave enough to say that they're going to the World Cup to win it, and I like that."
Yankey, who played 129 times for England, says it's important that the squad have a united focus in France: "Tournament football is about, not so much on the pitch, what happens off the pitch. Everybody needs to stay together, everybody needs to understand what their goal is."
Kelly Smith, who scored 46 goals for England, says a first World Cup win would be "special" for the Lionesses and their fans.
"Winning that trophy will be something special for the Lionesses and England and the whole country," said Smith.
"I think they're more than capable of doing it with potentially the players that they have - I know the squad's not been picked yet, but you just look across the spectrum of the players that Phil Neville has to pick from and the great blend of youth and experience.
"I'm so excited, I can't wait for it. Hopefully Steph Houghton can get her hands on that trophy in June."
Smith says the players will be tense until they see their names announced in the squad.
"I think they'll probably be a bit nervous now because the squad hasn't actually been selected," Smith added.
"They're going to be doing everything that they can between now and selection day to try and stay fit, healthy and in Phil Neville's plans."
