Ade Adeniji writes on how England’s Lionesses were humbled in a football lesson by Germany at Wembley Stadium.
England and Germany, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 qualifiers, played a friendly, their first game at Wembley Stadium, Sunday (23 November 2014). A record 45,619 supporters watched world-class teams (Germany: World Cup winners and reigning European champions) at this event for Breast Cancer Care International, The Football Association’s charity partner.
England pounced from the whistle; 19 seconds later fans roared with delight as Jordan Nobbs struck the German crossbar. Germany (“Die Nationalelf”) recovered and pressured the opposition left side; Melanie Leupolz threatened the penalty area but Karen Bardsley, England keeper, parried her strike.
Germany pressed England’s right and forced a corner. From a Melanie Behringer in-swinger, Simone Laudehr claimed the first goal, deflected off defender Alex Scott, on 5:46 minutes. England’s fluid counters failed to overcome German defences.
Germany got a second goal, against the run of play, on 11:17 minutes. England lost possession in opposition territory but attempts to regain the ball gifted a free kick; Celia Sasic collected a pass, attacked the right side of defender Lucy Bronze, pressed the18-yard box and slid the ball beyond Bardsley.
England, two goals down in under 12 minutes and visibly hurt, remained calm. Karen Carney, presented with her 100th England cap before the match, settled the troops. Scott had a mazy, solo run from half way on 16 minutes, guided the ball skilfully to the German penalty area, shrugged off tackles and got in a cross, but the effort was easily cleared. England found gaps in the German armour during an inventive five-minute spell, but lacked clinical finishing.
England pressed further: Eniola Aluko, often alone, strove to overcome committed defenders. German endurance and stubborn defending added to England players’ and fans’ frustration. Germany infiltrated England’s half with long balls over the mid-field mass and penetrative passes through the centre. England probed on 28 minutes with a lofted header from Nobbs on the edge of the German penalty area that worried keeper Almuth Schult; the ball’s momentum carried her over the goal line but she kept it out… just.
Germany had a goal disallowed on 32 minutes for an infringement in the England penalty area. The initial build-up indicated England’s failure to contend with German set pieces that had helped create a two-goal lead.
Fara Williams volleyed from the edge of the area on 41 minutes but Schult held comfortably. Dogged and scrambled defending spared German blushes as England threatened the goal area three minutes later. With a German break down England’s exposed right side Sasic found the bottom corner of the far post on 45 minutes for her second goal and Germany’s third. German strength in depth kept play in England’s half – a stranglehold during two minutes of extra time – before the whistle halted this rout.
England progressed down the German right side six minutes into the second half; a ball across the penalty area had the defence at sixes and sevens. Desperate measures and forced errors followed, mainly due to Aluko’s tenacity and strength on the ball. The yellow card for Anja Mittag on 57 minutes highlighted German exasperation but team confidence and determination enabled the players to deal with adversity.
Play flowed across the pitch, sporadically bogged down in midfield, until game end. Germany passed the ball with purpose, and Alexander Popp outclassed Jo Potter. England showed character and occasional flair with some half chances – Germany blocked all efforts – during three minutes of extra time, but lost three-nil.
Aluko, interviewed by Press Association Sport, reflected upon the game against the best team in the world: “…you’ve got to take as many lessons from that as possible and be humble about it.”
All eyes are now focussed on the World Cup next year in Canada. England will want to learn from the Wembley experience and close the gap on rival teams.
© Ade Adeniji
(Images: tgsphoto.co.uk)
We want your thoughts from Sunday’s game. Please email HERE.
Want to read previous blogs on this subject?
Blog 1 is HERE.
Blog 2 is HERE.
Blog 3 is HERE.
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
