We spoke to England U-19 Head Coach Mo Marley and some of her squad after the 2-0 extra-time defeat to France.
Mo Marley
Did you see the deadlock being broken between the teams today?
Do you know what, I think we’ve defended really well in both games we’ve played against France. I think a lot of our best practice was done defensively, we’ve not really attacked as well as we could do against them but that’s credit to them, they’re a great side. We put them on the back foot and looked far more dangerous in the second half for sure. They probably came out a little bit better in the first part of extra time and once they’d scored, we’re open, we were exposed and you’re hoping that you can just get something back. We just needed a goal when we were on top and it wasn’t coming.
You felt if Beth Mead could run at their defence more, you could be in business?
Absolutely, you’re open, that’s you’re little turning point and when you’re on top you’ve got to capitalise on that and unfortunately we didn’t and the momentum went back with them and for sure they punished us then. But you know, we know they’re a great side and we’ve known that from the first game.
So overall a satisfying tournament for England even without winning it?
It’s never satisfying if you don’t win but it’s very pleasing and very rewarding that an inexperienced group of players can achieve a place in a final. It’s hopeful for the future that there’s potential there, imagine what they can achieve when they’ve got all that experience plus when they’re playing more club games they’re learning all the time, who knows what they can achieve in the future.
Consolation then a trip to the U-20 World Cup in Canada?
That was always the first objective, we were going to accept that and that was our first task, once we’d achieved that it was about trying to win gold. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be but the next best thing is being runner-up and having a slot to Canada.
Aoife Mannion
How did you feel about the outcome of the final?
It’s a bit gutting losing in a European final but in perspective, coming away with a silver medal. When we look back on it, we’ve got a lot to be proud of, we did really well across the tournament and we’ll build for next year.
Nikita Parris
How do you feel England played overall in the final.
Overall I felt we gave it our all, didn’t have the cutting edge at the end but as a team we battled hard and were resilient right up until extra time and I feel we can be proud of our performance. Obviously in regard of the goal off of a set play we’re not happy but ultimately over the course of the game and the tournament we pressed well and showed our true qualities.
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