Players from both England and Wales met at The Den yesterday to promote Saturday’s game…
England internationals Steph Houghton and Jordan Nobbs met with Welsh rivals Kylie Davies and Helen Ward at The Den ahead of the tantalising FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2015 qualifier which will take place in Millwall on Saturday 26th October (kick-off 7.05pm, live on BBC). The players were welcomed to the south London club by Millwall boss Steve Lomas, captain Paul Robinson and Jermaine Easter.
As part of their visit they worked alongside the Millwall Community Scheme to team up with youngsters from Deptford Green Secondary School, Harris Academy Peckham and Millwall Football & Education Scholars. The students had the chance to meet the players and take part in a coaching session with special appearances from the England mascots and Millwall mascot Zampa the Lion. They also received some top tips in a skills and drills session and asked their burning questions about what it is like to play for your country.
England’s ‘Lionesses’ last played at The Den in a 1-0 victory over Spain on 1 April 2010. Katie Chapman’s goal gave England the win in what proved to be a crucial victory over Spain. The victory maintained England’s 100% record en route to qualifying for the World Cup in Germany two years ago, when England eventually reached the quarter finals.
This time England are attempting to make it through to Canada 2015 and they won their opening two qualifiers last month against Belarus (6-0) and Turkey (8-0). Ukraine and Montenegro complete Group 6.
The England players are hoping that London will get behind them once again and fans from across the capital will come out to roar them on to another victory at The Den.
London is, however, also home to a number of the Welsh girls, four of whom play their football at Chelsea. @WFPod‘s Kieran Theivam spoke to ‘Wardie’ and Kylie Davies, two of those Chelsea players, to get their thoughts on facing familiar foes…
On Playing against WSL players:
HL: “We feel we know a lot about them but similarly they’re going to know a lot about our players.
“It gives it that edge that you’re playing against players that you might know, or you might even have friends on the opposition, so it gives it that little bit extra bite.”
Playing against team mate Eni Aluko:
KD: “I wouldn’t mind giving her a little kick! I think I’ve played against all the English forwards, so it will be a great test.”Eni is a great player, but she won’t be my team mate on the day.”
On both being former England youth internationals:
KD: It’s nice playing against them, playing against your old coaches, but that to me was in the past and i look forward to playing for Wales against them.”
HL: “I wasn’t really involved very long with England, it was only at Under-23 level for probably 12 months at the most.
It’s in the past and coming to play for Wales is probably the best thing I’ve done in football, so all my thoughts are with Wales.
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