England’s women

In the end, the Lionesses, as they are known, finished top of Group B and seem to building momentum nicely as the tournament prepares to usher in the knockout stage over the weekend.

The 2-0 win over a highly-regarded Japan side on Tuesday was impressive with England, after surviving a bit of early pressure, going on to dominate pretty much all over the pitch. The win was richly-deserved in the end and will have made the likes of quarter-final opponents France (14/1 – Outright), favourites Germany (10/11) and the always-impressive USA (7/2) take note.

Kelly Smith remains England’s main attacking threat but it will have been the performances of some of the other unsung members of her side that Powell will have been pleased with most on Tuesday.

Ellen White announced her arrival at the competition with a stunning goal – lobbing the Japan keeper from outside the area – while Rachel Yankey came off the bench to seal the win with a well-taken second and those two were among several stand-out performers in the game. Sophie Bradley, meanwhile, was immense at the back and Jess Clarke had also done well in the first 45 minutes before being replaced.

Rachel Unitt is another experienced member of the squad and she, too, was outstanding as England held Japan at bay while creating plenty of chances going forward themselves.

Powell had made a few risky changes to her side for the final group game, most notably resting skipper Faye White, but her game plan was carried out to perfection by her players and they now can approach Saturday’s game against France with confidence.

It will be another tough test for England against a team ranked seventh in the world – England are currently 10th – but one they are capable of passing, especially if they play like they did on Tuesday. The last two matches between the sides have ended in entertaining 2-2 draws so it is likely to be tight in Leverkusen.

If England can come out on top, cynics would then say a semi-final place will be as good as it gets with either Brazil (4/1) or Sweden (18/1) set to stand in their way, but the belief and spirit in Powell’s squad appears to be very high so an extended run in the competition cannot be ruled out now.

Most tournament winners build momentum as the competition progresses and England, after a slow start, look to be doing just that.

Another performance at the level of the Japan victory should be enough to see off France but they will have to raise their game further if they are to  stand a chance of getting into the final.

Then it could be the small matter of hosts Germany, who beat England comfortably in the final of the European Championships two years ago, to see off to claim the ultimate glory.

That’s the stuff of dreams for England’s women – as they know that would be the toughest of all tests – but Powell and co, following Tuesday’s win, are now daring to dream.

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