Pouring rain and travel disruption was never going to dampen the historic occasion that took place this past Sunday at Wembley Stadium writes KIERAN THIEVAM.
Whether it was your first taste of women’s football or your 50th – few will have experienced the atmosphere and spine tingling noise that greeted England and Germany as they emerged from the stadium tunnel writes KIERAN THIEVAM (from the Women’s Soccer Zone podcast).
Sat in the press box and mingling with some familiar, and not so familiar faces, I could tell that even the national press, often criticised for their lack of coverage of the women’s game, saw this as a big occasion.
“It’s England v Germany at Wembley, media were always going to turn out for it,” one journalist told me.
When the team sheet dropped in front of me just before kick off, two things entered my head:
- 1. Mark Sampson’s selection was arguably too attacking and could be left exposed.
- 2. Germany have unbelievable depth, highlighted by the fact Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan were sitting on the bench.
Was this perhaps too attacking a line-up? (tgsphoto.co.uk)
Maroszan and Mittag (two arguably world class players), were on the bench for the first half. (tgsphoto.co.uk)
The first point was probably supported in the first 12 minutes after England found themselves 2-0 down after an unfortunate own goal and being caught out on the break by Celia Sasic. But oh how different it might have been had Jordan Nobbs’ rocket been an inch or two lower.
As some media have reported, the result isn’t hugely important, with the occasion at Wembley far outweighing its significance. However, it is a learning curve for Sampson and his side and after a convincing World Cup qualification campaign and an impressive win over Sweden, this result certainly provided a reality check.
That reality is that, at present, England are not one of the leading nations, but are probably in the group behind them. Take Germany, France, USA (who England are rumoured to be facing in the New Year) and Japan as the front runners, with Sweden probably just behind, along with England, Canada and for me, Norway (don’t discount Australia either).
There was a lot of attention on this game and despite character and attitude, England fell short of the standards Germany have set. That said, it’s not fair to judge this team on the result, so I won’t.
Many of that England side won’t have played Germany before, or future opponents USA, which can only be good experience for them going into a World Cup.
I’d personally have liked to see Anita Asante or BBC studio guest Katie Chapman in that midfield to add a bit more bite, which would have stifled the Germans.
But, managers are often criticised for playing too defensive, and Sampson certainly cannot be accused of that. Overall, a great occasion with some world class players on show for the masses. While Germany continue their marathon unbeaten run over England, I have no doubts, that with a few tweaks, England will be much closer to them come Canada 2015.
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Follow Kieran on twitter: @KiersTheivam
Want to read previous blogs on this subject?
Blog 1 is HERE.
Blog 2 is HERE.
Blog 3 is HERE.
Blog 4 is HERE.
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