Key events
2 min: The atmosphere seems quite lively, a 15,000 seater here. England settling into the game and Daly seems to be in the back, a 3-5-2 according to Emma Hayes on comms!
Kick-off! China 0-0 England
Here we go then! Can England get the job done? Or will China upset the party? We will soon find out …
Awaiting whoever go through here is Australia and Nigeria, the group winners will face Nigeria and the runner-up co-hosts Australia. Nervous? It should be a great match!
The players are on the pitch ready for this one. The anthems will be getting underway shortly! England only need a point, China need to win. All to play for.
An update on the conditions in Aus:
Lucy Bronze has spoken to ITV and said: “Keira [Walsh] arguably one of the best players in the world, let alone this England team. Luckily enough for us we have plenty of players who can come in and fill the spot. She is doing really well, she is in good spirits. She is fully focused on her recovery but for us it is important for us to focus on the game. I think as an England team we are adaptable, we didn’t show that at the Euros as we were lucky enough not to lose players.”
Earlier today Group E was decided with the Netherlands going through as group winners and the US squeaking in as runners-up. You can read the reports for those:
China manager Shui Qingxia has said: “This is a complex group. The most critical aspect is to perform our brand of football well. Players should maintain a positive mental and physical attitude. I hope we can find the net.”
A year ago yesterday was the Euros final where England beat Germany 2-1 to win the trophy. It’s one of my favourite football memories, what is yours? Let me know via Twitter or email.
Niall has got in touch and said: “Good luck to England today but I think China could get all 3 points. Their record is impressive.” You’re right they have reached the quarter-finals twice previously and were unlucky to lose at the death to Denmark. With arguably their best player Shuang Wang starting it could be a long game for England. The Lionesses will be the favourites to win though.
Sarina Wiegman gave an update on Keira Walsh yesterday, Walsh went off with a knee injury against Denmark last time out:
There has been a lot of chat around England squad depth with Walsh’s injury but head coach Sarina Wiegman has instilled belief in all of her players. Check this interview out:
Another guess at England’s formation, everyone is coming in with different thoughts!
A 4-2-3-1?
Jess Carter sitting in as a holding defensive mid with Zelem? If so this is really great call from Sarina.
I said on the weekend that Jess could play there – she did so for Birmingham and as we know she’s so good 1-1 defensively.
I could be wrong though 😂 #ENG https://t.co/1WpBUKwRIJ
— Anita Asante (@NicenNeetz) August 1, 2023
The question for England is around their formation. With Carter coming in does that mean Daly will play on the wing? And if England have a 4-4-2 will Hemp or Daly slot into the midfield? Russo is named up front and she typically plays in the middle, we will have to wait and find out!
The team news is in! China have made one change and it is a forced one. Rui Zhang is serving a suspension after being handed a red card against Haiti and so exciting player Shuang Wang is in.
China starting XI: Yu Zhu, Mengwen Li, Shuang Wang, Wei Yao, Shanshan Wang, Lina Yang, Jiahui Lou, Qiaozhu Chen, Lingwei Yao, Chengshu Wu, Linyan Zhang
England, meanwhile, make three changes with Lauren Hemp, Jess Carter and Katie Zelem in for Chloe Kelly, Keira Walsh and Ella Toone. Zelem has her first start at a major tournament.
England’s starting XI: Earps, Bronze, Greenwood, Bright, James, Stanway, Daly, Hemp, Carter, Zelem, Russo.
Preamble
Good morning, afternoon or evening, whatever time it is where you are! Coming up is China v England, a deciding match in Group D with all four nations in the group able to progress.
Let’s start with the two in this match. England will progress with a draw or win against China. They could even qualify if they lose to China but they would need Haiti to beat Denmark – if they didn’t head-to-heads would decide who progresses.
For China, they will go through if they beat England but need Haiti to defeat Denmark. If not the head-to-heads come into play. A draw would be enough if Haiti beat Denmark and if both games draw there we would get into the head-to-heads again. If China lose they will be relying on Haiti beating Denmark and on head-to-heads.
The other match in this group will see Denmark take on Haiti. Denmark progress if they win, unless England lose to China, in which case tie-breakers will be required. A draw would be enough for the Danes but they would need England to win. If both games finish level then tie-breakers will be required.
And the maths on Haiti’s progression are much simpler! They must beat Denmark and hope England defeat China PR to have a chance of going through via the tie-break criteria such as goal difference and head-to-heads.
Do not fret about working out the permutations as we go, I’ll update you! But first is the team news! Stay tune for updates.
