Crucial Canada challenge for England
England can take heart from a disciplined performance which
yielded victory over Wales - but next up it's a mouth-watering
Canada challenge.
The national side need to win if they are to finish third
in Pool A, a position they would ideally like with the pending
play-off matches just around the corner.
A third-place finish could provide an 'easier' pathway through
to the quarter-finals - a tonic England would relish having
already suffered at the hands of the tournament gold-medal
favourites Australia and defending champions United States.
"I'd like us to finish third in our pool. That is where
we are aiming to finish," said Lois Richardson, the England
head coach.
"Canada will want to finish third as well, but if we
play to our strengths and play a patient game, then we can
beat them."
England might have been expected to beat Wales by a greater
margin, but Richardson's team deserved and should cherish
their 6-2 victory after a tough induction into the international
arena.
Indeed, victories over Australia and the US, in tempratures
careering on the high 80's, would have been England's best
result(s) for a number of years - and totally unexpected.
But speak to the players, they're confident of beating the
best teams in the world. Victories breed confidence and that
could help England progress as this tournament rattles by
at a testing pace.
"We had a very hard start to the tournament, but we played
much better to beat Wales and that will give the girls a lift,"
added Richardson.
"We could have had an easier draw, but it's quite nice
that we have to play Canada in our last pool match. It will
be a good gauge of how well-matched the two sides are, a chance
to look at their strengths and weaknesses."
England watched Canada play in a scrimmage tournament in New
Jersey just before the World Championship, and also got the
chance to play two scrimmage games themselves, against Axia
University.
They won both matches and picked up some useful information
about tomorrow night's (Monday, 7pm) opponents.
"We watched the Canadians play and it was a good chance
to see them in action," revealed Richardson.
"They will want to beat us, but we're looking forward
to the match.
"We are getting better but we still need to start playing
as a team and not relying too much on our experienced players.
"It's going to be a good test for the players. If we
are going to win then we'll have to play much, much better
than when we beat Wales."
England, once again, are injury-free despite a few bumps and
bruises, as well as the players in need of re-hydration.
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