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Hope Powell names World Cup squad

Friday 12th March 2010
from Women's Soccer Scene
by Polly C

England Head Coach, Hope Powell, has named her squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s 2011 World Cup qualifying double header against Austria and Spain on 25 March and 1 April respectively.

There are familiar faces throughout the squad though Hope has called up Chelsea full back, Claire Rafferty, and Leeds Carnegie forward, Ellen White, for the first time after they impressed at a training camp in La Manga in January. They also travelled to Spain with the Under-23s last month.

“I think both players can bring something to the squad,” said Powell, of the two new inclusions. “As a naturally left footed player, Claire gives us another option at left back and Ellen has been doing well at Leeds Carnegie this season.

“I'm pleased that I've been able to call them up because both girls deserve their chance, but, in saying that, there were a few Under-23s that did really well in January that I wouldn’t hesitate to call upon if there were injuries.”

First up is Austria, who have only won one of their opening three qualifiers, against Malta, but their two defeats did come at the hands of Spain who currently top Group 5 with four wins from four and Hope is well aware of the size of the task ahead.

“Austria are clearly growing in confidence, but I think they will come to Loftus Road and sit back, which they have tended to do historically.

“In saying that, their attitude might be that they've got nothing to lose, because they've lost twice to Spain already and you need to top the group to progress to the play-off, so they might come out with a little more fight and try and take the game to us, which could work in our favour because the game will open up a bit. Either way, we’re expecting a tough game.

“Spain will be another difficult game because they have got some really talented players who we will have to be mindful of. They might have a point to prove as our second half comeback two years ago ultimately cost them a place at the Euros.

“We will have to be at our best to get the win.”

England squad:

NAME CLUB CAPS GOALS Rachel BROWN Everton 65 0 Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN Chelsea 16 0 Karen BARDSLEY Sky Blue FC 6 0 Alex SCOTT Boston Breakers 61 11 Casey STONEY Chelsea 73 3 Laura BASSETT Leeds Carnegie 17 0 Faye WHITE Arsenal 74 8 Rachel UNITT Everton 76 6 Lindsay JOHNSON Everton 40 1 Claire RAFFERTY Chelsea 0 0 Dunia SUSI Chelsea 5 0 Jill SCOTT Everton 33 4 Fara WILLIAMS Everton 79 30 Katie CHAPMAN Chicago Red Stars 73 7 Kelly SMITH Boston Breakers 88 37 Danielle BUET Chelsea 7 0 Sue SMITH Leeds Carnegie 85 14 Lianne SANDERSON Philadelphia Independence 28 6 Eniola ALUKO St Louis Athletica 44 9 Rachel YANKEY Arsenal 92 12 Jess CLARKE Leeds Carnegie 13 3 Ellen WHITE Leeds Carnegie 0 0

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