MY ACCOUNT
Sarina Wiegman is eager to experiment with different combinations and personnel in her England side ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Wiegman made nine changes for England’s 2-1 win over Italy in the second game of their Arnold Clark Cup campaign, as preparations for the global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand continued.
The Lionesses kick off their tournament Down Under on July 22, leaving their Dutch boss keen to assess her options before the competition gets under way.
In Sunday’s victory, versatile Aston Villa ace Rachel Daly was deployed up front and was on target twice as the European champions extended their unbeaten streak to 28 games.
Wiegman’s side next face Belgium on Wednesday in Bristol, with both teams tied on six points from two matches.
The 53-year-old said: “As we said before this tournament, we want to try out some combinations, we want to see lots of players.
“What I take from this game and from the South Korea game is so many players have played minutes now and they showed where they are at this moment.
“We’ve seen lots of good things and I’m happy with that. If they want to give us headaches, they are giving us some headaches.
“At the end, a very good win and we are happy.”
Staking a claim
Youngsters Katie Robinson and Jess Park were handed their first senior starts for the Lionesses and staked their claims for a place on the plane this summer with some eye-catching performances.
Brighton forward Robinson was particularly involved, with her pinpoint cross from the right-hand side setting up Daly to head home the opener.
The 20-year-old’s lively showing bodes well for her World Cup prospects, with ACL-stricken Beth Mead’s potential absence opening up a spot in Wiegman’s team.
Robinson said: “It’s great to assist and help the team as much as possible.
“I thought I probably could get some early crosses in and when I did Rachel scored so that was great.
“I’m unbelievably proud to have been given my first start, I was nervous when I found out I was starting.
“Of course, I think it’s natural before the game to be nervous and then when you get out there the nerves just go away because you’re doing what you love.
“Any opportunity I get on the pitch I want to try and express myself and show what I can do so hopefully I am doing that.”
Learning curve
It was not all plain sailing for the European champions though, with Le Azzurre drawing level through Sofia Cantore shortly after the hour mark, a goal which unsettled the hosts despite their dominance up to that point.
But after going back in front nine minutes later through another Daly header, Wiegman insists her World Cup contenders will learn plenty from the narrow victory.
She added: “They equalised when we had controlled the game, but in that moment lost a little bit of control.
“To learn was really good but of course you don’t want to concede and that’s part of the game.”
