England hopes to be sharper in its subsequent Women’s World Cup match after underwhelming opener

Katie Robinson is aware of England left many unimpressed with its underwhelming 1-0 victory in opposition to overmatched Haiti in its opening match on the Women’s World Cup.

England continues to be tied with Denmark atop the Group D standings, no matter how they performed in opposition to Haiti, and that’s all that actually counts to Robinson.

“Every game at a World Cup is going to be difficult,” Robinson mentioned. “Most importantly, we got the three points, and that’s all that matters right now.”

Well, what really issues subsequent is Friday’s match in opposition to Denmark in Sydney, the place the highest spot within the group is up for grabs as each groups attempt to advance to the knockout spherical. It is the primary assembly between the 2 groups on the Women’s World Cup, though they confronted off three earlier occasions on the European Championship.

England defeated Denmark twice in 1984, however the Danes had been the winner in 2005, the final time the 2 nations confronted in worldwide play. They met in a pleasant in 2019, gained by England 2-0.

Denmark is again on the World Cup for the primary time since 2007 and beat China 1-0 in its opening sport.

PHOTOS: England hopes to be sharper in its subsequent Women’s World Cup match after underwhelming opener

England understands it should decide up its play in opposition to Denmark, which is ranked thirteenth on the earth and a far more durable opponent than Haiti.

“We’re all working really hard in training to make sure we’re a bit more clinical, creating more chances and obviously getting our goal percentage higher. We know it’s something that we need to improve on,” England ahead Lauren Hemp mentioned. “We are working really hard as a team to make sure that we’re ready for the game against Denmark and ready to score some goals.”

England is ranked fourth on the earth and the reigning European champions. The Lionesses gained all six of their video games to win the event they hosted final yr.

But England has not scored a aim in open play because the twenty third minute of the Women’s Finalissima in opposition to Brazil on April 6 – a span of 367 minutes.

“Heading into the World Cup, we’ve shown that we’re dominant against a lot of teams, so we just need to be a bit more clinical and have those percentages rise in the next game,” Hemp mentioned.

Denmark pulled out the win over China when substitute Amalie Vangsgaard scored within the ninetieth minute to offer the Danes their sixth win of their final seven worldwide matches. Denmark had a clear sheet in 5 of these video games.

The Danes didn’t advance out of the group stage of their final two event appearances, however a win over England would make them the possible Group D winners. Denmark has by no means gained two matches at a single Women’s World Cup earlier than.

ARGENTINA-SOUTH AFRICA

Hildah Magaia will play for South Africa, which believes it has an opportunity to win its first Women’s World Cup sport when it performs Argentina.

Magaia scored for South Africa in its event opener, however was injured on the play and couldn’t end the sport. Sweden went on to win 2-1, however the efficiency gave the South Africans confidence they will get a victory.

Argentina dropped a 1-0 opener to Italy.

“Knowing that we went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 country in the world and it took a superhuman effort from them to get the result, we’re very positive for the next two matches,” South Africa coach Desiree Ellis mentioned after the Sweden loss. “We’re not underestimating the teams, but we know our capabilities.”

Magaia and her coach each mentioned she would “definitely” be capable to play in opposition to Argentina.

CHINA-HAITI

China and Haiti had been each upset by opening-game losses and subsequent face off to remain alive in Group D in a match scheduled for Adelaide, Australia.

China most likely thought it will open the event with a win over Denmark and as an alternative misplaced 1-0.

China has been to the knockout spherical in all six of its earlier event appearances and possibly counted Denmark as an early win. China shouldn’t overlook Haiti, which shocked by hanging with European champion England in a 1-0 loss to the Lionesses.

Playing so nicely in opposition to England was an enormous feat for Haiti, which possibly now believes it has a shot at beating China.

Haiti must shore up its protection and has been scored on in all eight of its earlier worldwide video games. But Haiti suffered a blow in opposition to England when defender Jennyfer Limage tore her ACL.