NICE (France) • England coach Phil Neville believes his players have "nothing to fear" after beginning their women's World Cup quest on Sunday with a narrow 2-1 win over Scotland, in which a convincing first half was slightly undermined by a less than ruthless second.
Nikita Parris converted from the spot after a Video Assistant Referee review to give the Lionesses the lead and Ellen White added another before half-time.
While Scotland fought back in the second half, with Claire Emslie reducing the arrears, they could not find an equaliser against one of the tournament's favourites.
Revealing he was "really proud" of his team's efforts, Neville said: "It was good to get that game out of the way. It was always going to be emotional and was really hot. We played really well in the first half... started off playing very adventurously.
"When our legs got heavy in the second half, though, we let fatigue get the better of us. We have to keep driving standards higher and being ruthless but I loved every minute."
Having never been named in a World Cup squad as an England player, Neville was always going to enjoy the moment and had no objections with suggestions that the opening goal was harsh on Scotland.
The new rules allow no scope for a referee's discretion even if the offence lacked intent, with Scotland coach Shelley Kerr admitting, while it was "harsh" that Nicola Docherty was penalised after Fran Kirby's cross had flicked off her partially outstretched arm, that "by the letter of the law, it was a penalty".
Neville also reserved special praise for forward Parris, challenging her to take on even more on-pitch responsibilities as "she is someone with another 10 per cent still left in her".
But he urged the players to raise their game if England are to improve on their third-place finish in the 2015 edition and win their maiden world title.
The former Manchester United defender added: "They're a good set of players with good quality and when I see how they play like they did for the first 60 minutes, we are a good team which will progress in the competition.
"But if we drop our levels it will be tougher. We want to be here for the next 27 days."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Head coach Phil Neville says England "fear no one", The Guardian reports, after their winning World Cup start. But in The Daily Telegraph Neville also demanded improvement and says his side "must do better". Neville said: "We set standards and the players have to keep meeting them. We cannot drop below those standards.
Women's Football Neville calls on Lionesses to be 'ruthless
England must keep being ruthless - Phil Neville England manager Phil Neville urged his players to "keep being ruthless" after their levels dropped in the second half of a 2-1 win over Scotland.
Today's back pages: Lionesses fear no one at World Cup but
Phil Neville insists he will be "ruthless" when it comes to selecting his World Cup squad - but the England boss has experienced enough of his own tournament heartbreak to know he is the right man to let people down gently.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: Phil Neville wants England to develop
Neville wants his Lionesses to be ruthless, Football News
With England taking on Bosnia just four days after the frustrating 0-0 draw with Wales, Phil Neville's message to his side is simple - be ruthless.. The Lionesses registered 29 attempts on goal at St, Mary's, but goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan had what she described as the game of her life to keep them at bay.
Phil Neville to be "ruthless" with World Cup selection
England manager Phil Neville urged his players to "keep being ruthless" after their levels dropped in the second half of a 2-1 win over Scotland on Sunday. The Lionesses bossed things in the
Phil Neville says England Women need to be ruthless
The 20-woman squad will be looking to edge a step closer to next year's tournament, with a win on June 8 moving the Lionesses to 16 points and put their destiny in their own hands. Arsenal's Beth Mead keeps her place in the squad, as does Fran Kirby, and Neville expects Russia to focus on England's attacking prowess.
England boss Phil Neville says he will be "ruthless" when it comes to picking his squad for the Women's World Cup. The Lionesses beat Spain 2-1 on Tuesday in the second of four warm-up games for
Neville unleashes hairdryer to slam Lionesses for - The Sun
Phil Neville says England Women need to be ruthless. By Adam Goodwin White finish put the Lionesses 2-0 up in a first half they controlled, before their levels dropped and Scotland pulled one
Phil Neville: England boss to be 'ruthless' when picking
Neville wants his Lionesses to be ruthless. England manager Phil Neville during a press conference in Nice, France, on June 8, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS. Published. 1 hour ago. More.
Phil Neville wants England to be ruthless in - thefa.com
Ex-Man Utd hero Phil Neville wants his players to show plenty of Neville wants his Lionesses to hit the ground running against the French. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent
England must keep being ruthless - Phil Neville - YouTube
No comments:
Post a Comment