Chelsea striker Eni Aluko is aiming to continue her 2015 World Cup qualifying goal streak as England face Belarus and Ukraine in group games next week.
By Tony Leighton
Aluko has in the past not been the most prolific of international strikers, netting just 17 goals in her 75 appearances outside the current World Cup campaign.
But seven goals in the six qualifiers played to date have helped put England well within sight of reaching next year’s finals, which are to be staged in Canada.
“Getting my name on the score-sheet more often has been down to concentration in front of goal,” said Aluko as she looked ahead to Saturday’s trip to Belarus.
“I’ve worked very hard at getting myself into positions where I can get chances,” she added, “and I feel that I’ve been more composed in front of goal.
“If you miss chances then you just have to keep getting yourself into the right positions, and thankfully for me and for England my return has improved.”
Aluko scored in each of the qualifiers at home to Belarus and Ukraine, who were beaten 6-0 and 4-0 respectively by Head Coach Mark Sampson’s team.
Now she is intent on adding yet more goals to her tally in games that could put England on the brink of reaching a third successive World Cup tournament.
Six points from the two outings would leave them needing only one point from their last two group games, even if second-placed Wales win their next two.
“With a 100 per cent qualifying group record so far,” said 27-year-old Blues striker Aluko, “we’ve got to be confident of winning these next two games.
“But we have to make sure there’s no complacency – we have to go into both games with the focus and concentration that’s helped us do so well up to now.
“If we do that and stick with the attacking philosophy that Mark Sampson has brought to the team, we can get the results we need to qualify early for Canada.”
Images: tgsphoto.co.uk
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