England’s Women soccer team manager Hope Powell has called for more from her squad after they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Mexico. England were expected to take their opening match, and when Fara Williams headed in from a corner, England looked set and on their way to a comfortable victory. However, a stunning equaliser from Mexico’s Monica Ocampo from way, way outside of the box, let the central Americans back into the game, and England could not pick themselves up for the victory. Until the equaliser flew in, England were in firm control stroking the ball around well and being the more dominant side going forward. They looked comfortable, but the goal from Ocampo gave Mexico the strength and confidence to grow into the match, and come the second half, while England were grinding away trying to create something for a winner, Mexico too had their chances, looking the more creative of the two sides. Hope Powell does need improvement from her players, and while keeper Karen Bardsley really should have kept out that long range effort from Ocampo, they just need to show a little more conviction in transition play from the front to the back, and get out much wider than they were doing. It was not a terrible performance, but it was not a great performance. There should be more to come from England and they will have a nice four day break to get themselves together and find what they need.
No reason to count England out of this at the moment, even if their fitness levels, something which was a concern coming into the match, started to wane in the second half. The heat was a factor as well for the England side, but Captain Faye White had to be withdrawn as a precautionary measure by the England boss. England really needed that opening win, they needed to lay down a much more positive marker than they did. Yes, they created chances in the second half to win the match, but similarly, their usually very tight defence looked as if it was only just holding itself together at times. When the Mexicans attacked in the second half, that little extra sharpness of pace was nearly England’s undoing. But they held out for the point, which will be regarded as unsatisfactory but there are positives to take. They looked the more controlled of the two sides, able to put their foot on the ball and knock it around, and they will go into England v New Zealand 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup betting as firm favourites. They must fulfil that title of being favourites for the match here, because there is still so much at stake in the group. England’s failure to beat Mexico after watching group favourites Japan beat New Zealand, means that unless they pull out a win against the New Zealanders, they could be left chasing second place only. Second place in the group will mean that they will probably have to go and play the defending Champions Germany in the quarter finals, the very match everyone wants to avoid.
So England could have already put themselves in a tricky situation in not beating Mexico, and that is why England v New Zealand 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup betting takes on extra importance for Hope Powell’s side. Assuming both England and Japan win their next matches, top spot in the group will come down to the big England v Japan clash on July 5th. If England draw against the Kiwis while Japan beat Mexico, then that leaves England with only a hope of second place and even qualification for the knockout stages could be out of their hands, depending on how Mexico do. So the pressure of not winning that first group match needs a response from the England women. Will they be able to respond? They are worth backing as favourites, because there were enough signs that England are good enough, it is just a matter of whether they can step up that extra gear and not play with that fear factor which haunts England sides. England need three points and it is worth backing them to get it. New Zealand are one of the more emerging sides, and while that means they will be energetic and plucky, really the extra class in England’s game has to pay dividends at the end of the day. There is nothing too much wrong with their game to be honest, they just need to be a bit more confident and have courage in their conviction. Well worth backing.
The bookmakers can see the divide in the teams and they are expecting an England win as well. While England need that three points, England need a good performance, to cut loose and bang in a couple of goals to get their strikers in confidence for the rest of the campaign. There is enough in the England side to win this.
England v New Zealand 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup betting
England Women to win: 3/8 at Bwin
Draw: 4/1 at BetFred
New Zealand to win: 10/1 at Stan James
Place a pre match Correct Score, Half Time/Full Time or Scorecast bet on any soccer match which is listed at popular online bookmaker Bet365, and if the match ends in a 0-0 draw, then Bet365 will refund a losing bets placed on those markets. This is great coverage from one of the most highly recommended online bookies, and Bet365 offer a great £200 free bet for new customers signing up and registering a new account with them.
