England coach Sarina Wiegman has praised her aspect’s adaptability after they demolished China 6-1 of their last Girls’s World Cup Group D match.
Lauren James starred for the Lionesses with two objectives and three assists as England sealed high spot and a spherical of 16 match in opposition to Group B runner up Nigeria in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Wiegman made three adjustments to the beginning line-up at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday with Katie Zelem changing the injured Kiera Walsh. Lauren Hemp and Jessica Carter had been additionally introduced into the XI on the expense of Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly.
The adjustments attracted a lot curiosity pre-match as to what formation Wiegman would undertake and whether or not the tinkering in personnel and ways would repay.
When play commenced, England lined up in 3-5-2 formation and fully dominated proceedings from the outset within the new-look set-up and barely seemed troubled.
“I feel after we mentioned that we needed to vary like this everybody actually believed in it right away – that is what you could possibly see on the pitch,” Wiegman mentioned.
“We all the time take a look at how we will use the (crew’s) qualities probably the most and what they confirmed is that they’re actually adaptable.”
“You make a selection and also you go for it, however you want the idea of the crew they usually had been really actually excited by it and that is what confirmed tonight.”
England’s win was highlighted by the gorgeous efficiency from James who teed up Alessia Russo for the opener earlier than slipping in Hemp on 26 minutes.
Both aspect of the interval the Chelsea attacker discovered the online from exterior the world and scored a contender for purpose of the event with a first-time volley. She capped her efficiency with a 3rd help for substitute Kelly.
“She’s particular – a really particular participant for us and for girls’s soccer normally,” mentioned Kelly of James. “She’s a particular expertise and the long run is brilliant.”
Wiegman added of James: “She feels good, you possibly can inform. She did particular issues as we speak. She flows over the pitch.”
“I felt free, whether or not I’m on the wing or within the center, I’m simply completely happy to be on the pitch taking part in and having fun with my soccer,” mentioned James. “I’m completely happy I can contribute to objectives as nicely.
“Every recreation I’m seeking to enhance and get higher. There are lots of extra years of enchancment. I can all the time get higher.
“I simply want to remain targeted and hopefully that may occur.”
