England head coach Sarina Wiegman is demanding that her side become more ruthless in-front of goal after beating North Macedonia 8-0 in their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier in Southampton last night.
Wiegman took control of the Lionesses for the first time at St Mary’s Stadium last night. Braces from from Ellen White and Beth England, along with goals from Ella Toone and Beth Mead and a couple of own goals saw Wiegman record her first victory. The England boss was however disappointed in her side’s lack of a clinical edge, having converted less than a quarter of their shots on goal.
In the post-match press conference in which FAWSL Full-Time were present, Wiegman professed that this tie against a much weaker opponent was less about the scoreline and more about the performance. When asked whether facing North Macedonia provided the Lionesses with a chance to learn her approach to the game, the former Dutch manager stated,”I wouldn’t say we learnt anything, we only added something to the game because the England team is already very good.
“They already played the possession game very well at their clubs, so we added something this week and everybody is really attached to that and really committed
“I think we saw something during the game and now we need to fine tune the things, plus score more goals when we create them.”
Throughout the game, former West Ham United loanee Rachel Daly commanded the field, creating a number of England’s chances. It was an inspired performance given the fact that the full-back had only just lost her father last weekend. The famously straight talking England boss wasn’t prepared to offer Daly Player of the Match but she did praise her courageous performance.
Wiegman said “I never say ‘Player of the Match’ because everyone has a different task in the match but I do feel she was unbelievable, especially with the hard time she has had.
“When she came to camp, she was there and today too she was there and played a very good game. That’s very impressive I think.”
Wiegman will be hoping that her side are more clinical in-front of goal when they face Luxembourg on Tuesday in the their next FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier.