The Lionesses will play their first competitive fixture at Wembley on Saturday, a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland.
This historic occasion is likely to draw the biggest attendance for a women’s match anywhere in the world this year, but this is not as much a cause for celebration as it seems.
Covid restrictions have meant many major matches have been played behind closed doors, notably at the Olympics, and the anticipated gate – while likely to be one of the largest England have ever attracted – is expected to be barely half the team’s last Wembley outing.
In November 2019, despite a wet cold day, 77,768 watched a 2-1 defeat to Germany. In November 2014, England’s Wembley debut, 45,619 turned out in spite of a tube strike and more miserable weather.
This time only 30,000 tickets have been sold, though with admission available on the day the FA hope a decent weather forecast will generate a good walk-up attendance.
Some perspective is perhaps required. This is still a developing sport. Only five women’s games have ever attracted a crowd in excess of 50,000 in the UK and three of those benefited from the 2012 Olympic buzz and another was more than a century ago (the fabled Dick, Kerr Ladies v St Helens at Goodison Park in 1920).
At mostly £20 (adults) and £2.50 (children) ticket prices, while still moderate, are double what they were in 2019. In addition, at a time when Covid cases are running at 50,000-a-day, many people are still nervous about travelling to London and being in large gatherings.
A 35,000 gate is still likely to be the largest at a World Cup qualifier, eclipsing what is thought to be the current record, the 30,238 who watched Netherlands – coincidentally, when they were managed by Sarina Wiegman – against Northern Ireland in Eindhoven three years ago.
How to watch England Women vs Northern Ireland
- Date: 23 October
- KO time: 5.15pm (UK time)
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- TV channel: ITV. Coverage starts from 4.30pm
- Live stream: ITV Hub
Wiegman, now coaching England, said it was “really special” to be managing a team at Wembley, which she described as “a great stadium, everyone wants to play there”.
The majority of her team have already had that experience with only Ella Toone, of the likely starting XI, never having done so.
Northern Ireland, by contrast, do not even have a WSL player in their squad, Everton Simone Magill and Birmingham’s Rebecca Holloway having pulled out. In players such as Rachel Furness (Liverpool), Sarah McFadden (Durham) and Laura Rafferty (Southampton) they do have players with WSL experience, plus a clutch of promising youngsters currently at domestic clubs.
Wiegman insisted Northern Ireland will not be underestimated, and while England did defeat them 6-0 in a friendly earlier this year Kenny Shiels’ team have, like England, won both World Cup qualifiers so far, and qualified for next summer’s Euros.
“We will go there and not behave like underdogs,” said Shiels. “We feel as if we can win the game. Someone give me a reason to why we can’t?
“We have 11 players on the pitch, so have they, and we have players who have good experience and understand what is being said.”
The 6-0 encounter was at St George’s Park, and looked and felt like a training game. An understrength Northern Ireland made some basic errors. Playing at Wembley will feel very different and there should be no problem with either concentration or commitment.
Leah Williamson will again captain England though Wiegman said she will not make a permanent decision until current skipper Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze are back in the group – neither have been available since she took over.
In Eindhoven in 2018 Wiegman’s side won 7-0. Northern Ireland should be more competitive today, but she will still expect her players to win.
Carney: Wiegman era really starts now
Kat Lucas, i sports journalist
England’s first competitive match at Wembley brings back happy memories for Karen Carney, whoo won her 100th cap at the ground against Germany in 2014.
That day, the first time the Lionesses played at the national stadium at all, they were welcomed by 45,619 fans but regardless of the attendance, it will be a momentous day for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
The new manager’s first two games in charge have resulted in 8-0 and 10-0 wins over North Macedonia and Luxembourg respectively and even drew a note of frustration from Wiegman, who lamented that she had learned very little from those performances. North Macedonia are ranked 131th in the world by Fifa and Luxembourg 122nd; Northern Ireland are 48th.
“The challenge now is the opposition, as that gets a little bit harder we’ll see how good the England team is and I hope lots of fans go and watch against Northern Ireland,” Carney told i.
“The new manager’s come in and clearly been to WSL games and it shows the rest of the league if you play well, form matters and she’s willing to try new players she obviously sees something in these players”.
Hannah Hampton and Katie Zelem are both hoping to make their international debuts, but ahead of next summer’s home European Championship, Carney also believes it is a chance for her more experienced former teammates like Fran Kirby and Millie Bright to start afresh after some of the tribulations of the Phil Neville era.
“When any new manager comes in, it’s a fresh start and you’ve really got to make yourself go again,” Carney said. “Managers want different things, it’ll be an exciting time for them and a good challenge. It might be a good time to bring more competitiveness because the manager could be bringing in new ideas ahead of the Euros.
“I played at Wembley a few times and it never gets old – it’s something you dream of and it’s the home of football. Hopefully these opportunities will continue to come around but you never know with injury and not being selected, when you get that opportunity you’ve got to relish it and enjoy it.”
Carney was speaking to i at the launch of the Utilita Kids Cup, in partnership with the EFL
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2XEKgug
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