BRISBANE — Rachel Daly admits she was disappointed not to start against Haiti after Sarina Wiegman opted for Alessia Russo in attack instead in England’s World Cup opener.
The Lionesses laboured to a 1-0 win secured with a Georgia Stanway penalty as they kicked off their tournament in Brisbane.
Having won the Women’s Super League Golden Boot in 2022-23 – and cryptically, being given the No 9 shirt by Sarina Wiegman in this summer’s squad – many expected Daly to be named as England’s first-choice striker.
“I think anyone would be [frustrated]” Daly said.
“No one is happy to sit on the bench. If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career. It’s a tough place for Sarina to be, to pick the team.
“I respect her decisions and I will support Alessia all the way and obviously I know Beth [England] will do the same.”
It was not until the 76th minute that Daly replaced Russo and she managed three attempts after coming on.
“I think movement is probably one of my strengths,” she added.
“I just tried to come on and make a nuisance of myself for the defenders, stepping in off the back of Alessia’s big shift. She did brilliantly tonight again and I am just ready when I am called upon.
“I think that’s the beauty of having a competitive squad. I think everybody is digging out for a position. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions.
“I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes obviously making such big decisions coming into tournaments. But she’s a fantastic manager, we respect all of her decisions. It proved tonight that it works, so we are happy.”
Asked about her decision to start Russo ahead of Daly, Wiegman replied: “That’s been a hard choice and you all talk about Alessia and Rachel, but Beth England’s in form too.
“It has been a hard position. What we’ve done is look at this last period and looked at the competition and in the end, I made a decision.”
Her side have not scored from open play in four games, a run which needs to end quickly if they are to live up to their tag as one of the favourites for the World Cup.
However, both Daly and Russo insisted there is no cause for concern at England’s dry spell just yet.
“I don’t think I ever worry about goals and winning with this team,” said Russo.
“I think we’ve got a very special talented squad and I know that people show up at the right times.”
And Daly denied England’s attack had looked rusty.
“We are coming off the back of some time off after the season, but no I wouldn’t say that. I think Haiti were a fantastic side and they are a force to be reckoned with.
“I think they will do some damage. I think you have got give credit to the opposition as well, they were brilliant.”
Chloe Kelly, who was the only member of the front three to complete the whole 90 minutes, said: “We believe [in ourselves], we create chances and we believe we can get on the end of them and score them. I think it’s about trusting the process. Moving forward, we know we’re going to score some goals.”
Wiegman, meanwhile, put England’s continued woes in front goal down to a lack of “ruthlessness”.
“It’s easy to say, so what does that mean?” she said.
“Sometimes the connections with the cross, the timing of the cross, where the cross actually ends in the penalty box, then the connection in front of the goal. Little things like that, at the end, you hope it goes in.”
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