The Offside Rule's Road to Canada Magazine by The Offside Rule

CONTENTS 4 | NOTE FROM THE SPONSOR Guy Frobisher from Continental Tyres

44 | WORLD CUP HISTORY A rundown of World Cup finals since the tournaments inception in 1991

6 | FA DIRECTOR, KELLY SIMMONS How women’s football continues to grow

46 | BEST OF THE REST Five nations best placed to stop England bringing home the trophy

8 | ENIOLA ALUKO, TONI DUGGAN AND KAREN CARNEY Three England internationals reveal how they made a professional career from football

48 | TEAMMATE TALES Fran Kirby, Claire Rafferty, Ellen White and Eniola Aluko tell all

14 | YOU TWEETED, WE ASKED… 50 | DADS AND DAUGHTERS England stars including Siobhan Chamberlain and Fara Williams respond to your questions Dads and daughters team up on their love of the game 15 | SUE SMITH’S WORLD CUP KITBAG The former England international gives us a glimpse of her World Cup survival kit

52 | ULTIMATE 5-A-SIDE Who would make the greatest Canada 2015 5-a-side line up?

16 | ROAD TO CANADA A look back on England’s qualifying campaign

54 | FAYE WHITE’S WORLD CUP DIARY The former England captain on her 2011 heartbreak

18 | CAPTAIN’S COLUMN Steph Houghton on leading England

56 | INFLUENTIAL FIGURES Our five most influential figures in women’s football

20 | CANADA’S BRITISH BOSS John Herdman speaks exclusively about coaching the 2015 hosts

58 | ENGLAND’S GROUP RIVALS France, Colombia and Mexico go under the microscope

22 | WORLD CUP STADIUM GUIDE In-depth look at the six host venues for Canada 2015

60 | THE OFFSIDE RULE (WE GET IT!) AND CONTINENTAL TYRES Hayley McQueen discusses The Offside Rule (We Get It!) podcast

24 | KELLY SMITH The England legend on what the current crop can achieve in Canada

63 | TAKING INSPIRATION England Women can take inspiration from other sports

26 | ENGLAND’S YOUNG LIONS Some of the brightest young stars in England shirts, plus an interview with U19 captain Leah Williamson

64 | JAPAN MAKING HISTORY Yukari Kinga and Shinobu Ohno recall their 2011 triumph

30 | ICONIC MOMENTS The five most memorable moments in Women’s World Cup history revisited

65 | VIEWS FROM ABROAD Christie Rampone, Michelle Heyman and Abby Erceg discuss their chances of success in 2015

32 | BEHIND THE SCENES How England is preparing for the World Cup at St. George’s Park

68 | FOOTBALL GENES Current female stars who were always destined to succeed

36 | A WORD FROM THE BOSS Mark Sampson on how the squad is shaping up

70 | FIVE STARS TO WATCH The unknowns that could take Canada 2015 by storm

38 | WALL CHART Your complete guide to the 2015 Women’s World Cup

73 | ROY HODGSON A message from the England manager

41 | ALEX SCOTT COLUMN The veteran defender talks all things Canada 2015

74 | PREDICTIONS PANEL Matt Beard, Gillian Coulthard and Jacqui Oatley

42 | CANADA FACTFILE All you need to know about the hosts of the 2015 World Cup

75 | THE OFFSIDE TREBLE Three news stories analysed in the build up to the tournament

2 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

EDITORIAL THE OFFSIDE RULE TEAM (WE GET IT!) INTRODUCE THE ROAD TO CANADA A lot can change in four years. Since former England captain Faye White crashed her penalty against the crossbar against France in 2011, women’s football has come on leaps and bounds. In England, the creation of a new league system has seen increased attendances, many clubs and players going full-time and as a result, an improved national team. The players; the key pieces that make up the England jigsaw puzzle can now concentrate solely on football. The FA Cup final will be held at Wembley for the first time this August and BT Sport have picked up live rights to the FA Women’s Super League. Slowly but surely, women’s football is coming out of its shell and blossoming into a competitive, accessible top-level sport.

Our Road to Canada magazine is the perfect mix of topical issues and fun-filled mischief. Most importantly, it’s your guide to Canada 2015: the stadiums, the country, the teams, the stars and much more. Our relationship with England Women, the FA, and Continental Tyres has resulted in (we think!) a brilliant end product. Mark Sampson and Steph Houghton share their hopes for the tournament; four members of the squad dish the dirt on their teammates, several England players give exclusive interviews, plus a great deal more. We really hope you enjoy the magazine, feel free to get in touch and tell us what you think. Most of all, we want to wish England Women the best of luck from all of us at The Offside Rule – go get ‘em girls!

The side continues to grow and develop. Head coach Mark Sampson has invested in younger talent like Toni Duggan, Rich Laverty, Siân Ranscombe, Harriet Drudge and Lucy Bronze and more recently Alex Greenwood and Fran Kait Borsay Kirby. Steph Houghton now wears the captain’s armband. The Offside Rule (We Get It!) is a football podcast and website covering both the men's and women's game. Teaming up with Continental Tyres we bring you our ultimate guide to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada this summer. At The Offside Rule, we firmly believe in women’s football, in its future and ensuring the continued media attention grows, throughout and beyond this year’s tournament. The BBC has taken a huge step in showing every single game of the tournament live, something that has never happened before in this country. Together with Continental Tyres we believe we’ve taken another step towards ensuring women’s football is never far from the public eye. We want to build on the appetite and audience we know is out there.

@RichJLaverty @SianyMacalarny @hmdrudge @kaitborsay (The Road to Canada Editorial team) The Offside Rule (We Get It!) will keep you updated throughout the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, be sure to check out our website www.offsiderulepodcast.com listen to our weekly podcasts www.audioboom.com/channel/ theoffsiderule and follow us on Twitter @OffsideRulePod

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

SPONSOR’S NOTE GUY FROBISHER DISCUSSES CONTINENTAL TYRES’ ROLE IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

A message from Guy Frobisher - UK Marketing Director at Continental Tyres Football is a global game and worldwide is a major part of Continental Tyres’ marketing activity. Working with the FA we realised there was a lot of great things happening around the women’s game to raise interest and participation. We wanted to be a part of that. It is a natural fit for us; at Continental we believe that, like football, we are all about precision, technique, passion, team-work and fair-play. It was very exciting to be involved with the FA Women’s Super League from the outset. Now, a few years on, we’re really delighted to see the progress being made. With the FA we are particularly keen to increase participation among young girls from an early age. We don’t want to just be the sponsor of the major competitions.

With the first few festivals, the FA were testing the water but now there is so much demand that we are trying to put on more and more and we are seeing a healthy increase in interest and participation year on year. We’re really passionate about promoting the women’s game, which is why we are delighted to work with ‘The Offside Rule’ to do even more to build interest and excitement - especially around the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer in Canada. With many people still relatively new to women’s football, the tournament is a great opportunity for us to highlight the women’s game, to tell people about the great players who will represent us all, and identify what a great chance England have of doing well in Canada. We certainly hope England come back with the trophy - that would be fantastic. Our current #RoadToCanada campaign focuses on England stars who talk about their own journeys to where they are now. We think they are an inspiration for youngsters. You can read more of this in this magazine.

With our support the FA deliver the FA Girls’ Football Festivals that happen around the country. There are between 25-30 of those each year with around 500 girls turning up to take part each time - sometimes to develop their skills and Indeed we hope the whole tournament inspires more young girls to get involved in football to in some instances to give them their first stay healthy, develop their skills and confidence, involvement in football. and be part of a team.

4 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Proud Supporters of The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Game

THE OFFICIAL VIEW FA DIRECTOR KELLY SIMMONS ON THE GROWTH IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

A message from Kelly Simmons - FA Director of the National Game and Women’s Football...

we’ll be supporting the formation of new girls’ teams with grants and support from local County FA’s.

Football is our national game and women’s football is not just growing in England, but on a global level; it’s a huge game throughout the world with around 30 million players globally.

Our website, TheFA.com, is a great resource for girls’ and women’s football – with information on everything from fun sessions to your local team.

I’m really excited about the FIFA Women’s World Cup and it’s fantastic the BBC have got the rights, so world-class women’s football will be in living rooms right across England, across most of the tournament.

And if you want to carry on watching the players who’ve inspired you during the World Cup, through the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), you can support your local team. And don’t forget - the FA Cup final at Wembley on 1 August: top-level football in a world-class stadium. It’ll be a great day out for families as well as good-value entertainment.

The World Cup is also a fantastic opportunity for us to further increase the profile of women’s and girls’ football and I’m sure it will encourage more girls to play the game. As well as a great amount of existing support in place already, and plenty of activities like the FA Girls’ Football Festivals (see page 34), to help young girls get into football, the FA will be doing more around the World Cup. We’ve got FA Skills coaches across the country; they’re going to be running a lot of girls-only sessions, both in schools and after school; and

6 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

I’d like to wish England the very best of luck for the World Cup. They’re a fantastic bunch of players who do so much on and off the pitch to promote the game. They’re great ambassadors. They played some fantastic football in qualification and are 6th in the world. The country is really behind them. Everybody will be following the team and cheering them on. We’re really proud of them. To find out more about the FIFA Women’s World Cup on the BBC, visit the women’s section of their sport website.

Proud Supporters of The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Game

JOURNEYS INTO FOOTBALL ENIOLA ALUKO, TONI DUGGAN AND KAREN CARNEY TALK TO NIAMH ARCHIBALD After 13 goals in 19 appearances under England Women’s head coach Mark Sampson, including two goals in the recent Cyprus Cup victory, Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko is hoping to continue her fine run of form in Canada.

make sure I am in the best shape possible to push for a World Cup spot.

"Emma (Hayes – Chelsea Ladies manager) and Mark (Sampson) have both said I just have to keep going and keep trying to perform at the "I have worked hard on becoming a more deadly level I was at last season, keep scoring goals, be striker and that has shown in the goals I have confident and use the disappointment of last scored for Chelsea and England, so hopefully I year to get even better. can keep doing that,” says Aluko. "I am really looking forward to the World Cup, "Some people are naturally gifted at scoring there is a lot of competition for places. That all goals and knowing where the goal is, but I think becomes nervous energy after a while, all I can it can always be developed. When you get to the focus on is making sure I perform for my club highest level of the game it is difficult to achieve and England so that I can say I gave it my all.” the same success rate, so you need to work on it and keep developing and getting yourself into Eniola Aluko could be one of the stars of the tournament for the positions to score,” says the striker. England

With Chelsea Ladies turning professional, Aluko can concentrate solely on football for the first time in her career and the newly qualified sports and entertainment lawyer believes that her game will continue to improve. The Blues were beaten to the title on the final day of the season last year and in Aluko's opinion becoming a professional side will galvanise Chelsea to achieve future success. "Being professional will allow us to be together a lot more and develop our playing style. After last year where we just missed out on the title, it allows us to work even harder on what we can do to be competing at the top again this year. "Winning titles and trophies is our aim and I think we are capable of doing that,” says Aluko. “The move (to full-time) couldn't have come at a better time. With the World Cup looming I can focus solely on football for the first time and

8 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

“I HAVE WORKED HARD ON BECOMING A MORE DEADLY STRIKER AND THAT HAS SHOWN IN THE GOALS I’VE SCORED” More than 400 million people are expected to watch the Women's World Cup this summer and Aluko feels there has never been a better time to be involved in the game. "I think it is going to be a really exciting World Cup, the biggest one yet. It is really exciting as a player and for everyone who is involved. I have really enjoyed the development of the game: seeing it rise to the point where the media are covering it and people are engaging. It has been a long time coming and hopefully it will continue," she says. Eniola is on the #RoadtoCanada, supported by Continental Tyres, watch her video at http://po.st/EniolaRTC

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

Since breaking on to the scene in 2008 and booking Everton’s place in the FA Cup Final, Toni Duggan has established herself as one of the game’s household names.

Toni Duggan is one of the rising stars in English women’s football

Now playing for Manchester City Women, her wonder goal against Chelsea on the final day of the season helped Liverpool take home their second consecutive title. City enjoyed their own success by claiming the Continental Cup. Duggan says this season City are aiming to add further silverware: “The success we had last season winning the Continental Cup was great and this year we just want to build on that. It was disappointing that on the last day of the season we weren’t involved in the title race. At the start of the season that wasn’t really in our plans, but I think as the season went on we grew in confidence and realised we could actually be in with a shout, so to miss out so narrowly was disappointing. This year it is definitely our focus.” This season Manchester City Women have brought in big name players like Lucy Bronze and Natasha Harding. City will play their home games at the newly opened Academy Stadium and Duggan believes this is a statement of intent from the club’s owners: “It is amazing to have the support and backing from the club first and foremost. That gives you a lot of confidence going out on to the pitch. It makes you appreciate and be grateful for the chance you have been given and it makes you want to repay that in some way. “Having our own stadium and being the first women’s team to do that is incredible. We know how lucky we are, but at the end of the day we are footballers; we want to win games and silverware and so does the club. That is why we have so many good and ambitious people within the club, hopefully that will pay off this season.”

definitely a way I could use that. It gave me a real focus as well. “To be given the chance to play football professionally, that was the dream when I was a little kid; to do it is amazing. “Ever since I started kicking a ball, I just knew that is what I wanted to do, that was where I fitted in. It’s the place for me.”

The 23-year-old started her footballing journey at Everton Ladies before joining up with Manchester City Women last season, a move Duggan said was necessary for her to develop as a player: “I was at Everton from a young age and there was a real loyalty there, but to become a Growing up in Liverpool, Toni says she found her better player I knew I would have to place on the football pitch: “I just loved the move on and be playing full-time game and I guess I saw it as a way of doing professional football. Others on the something different. I’ve always had that England team were doing that, so to competitive edge in me and football was make sure I kept my place in the England

10 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

“EVER SINCE I STARTED KICKING A BALL, I JUST KNEW THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO” squad, I had to be playing every single day and asserting myself. “A couple of other teams did come in. I did speak to them, but after hearing Manchester City’s plans and knowing what a big club they are anyway I wanted to buy into that. Everything they said would happen, has, so it has definitely been the right decision. I am just looking forward to pushing on with the club and hopefully becoming more successful. “Nick (Cushing) is a top coach and he has been amazing from the first day I met him out on the training pitch. His tactical awareness is first class, he’s come from the men’s game as well so he has a lot of knowledge behind him and he has definitely shown that.” Duggan, who was voted Vauxhall England Women’s Player of the Year for 2014, suffered a set back when she underwent knee surgery earlier this year, but says that she learned a lot in that period. She is now ready to push for a place in the starting line up of England’s World Cup squad. “I was bitterly disappointed to pick up the injury... and I ended up needing surgery too, but a couple of wise words from Nick and Mark (Sampson), basically telling me to stay strong, really helped. “I learned a lot in that period; in a way I wish it had happened when I was younger because it made me appreciate a lot more things, like how important gym work is. It has definitely made me come back and appreciate my time on the pitch as well. “There are a lot of great players in the England squad and Mark has a real selection headache, there are a lot of different strikers to choose from. I’ve played a lot with Lianne (Sanderson) and she is a great player, but we also have Eni Aluko, Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor, who has been doing well recently. There’s real competition and I just want to do my best.”

Toni Duggan is on the #RoadToCanada, supported by Continental Tyres, watch her video at http://po.st/ToniRTC

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

“I played with some top players and learnt a lot off the pitch as well as on it,” she says. “The league [in England] is definitely more competitive now and the games are a lot quicker as well. There is a bigger spread of talent throughout the clubs and most teams are professional or edging towards it. There is still a Karen Carney has had a football at her feet lot of growing that we need to do, to become since she was a youngster, when she would kick the full package, but it has definitely improved a ball around the house with her sister. At 11, over the past four or five years.” she signed for Birmingham and worked her way through the underage levels before making her The 27-year-old, who made her England first team debut for the club in the FA Women’s debut aged 17, coming on as a substitute Premier League National Division at just 14. against Italy and scoring the fourth goal in a 4-1 victory, is hoping she can add “My sister was into football. She’s a lot older to her 100 caps this World Cup. than me and when she was growing up she didn’t have the same opportunities to play,” “For me it is about having no regrets, recalls Carney. “I went to summer camps with controlling the controllable and hoping my school friends, it kind of escalated from there that I have done enough. Not just over and I fell in love with playing football. the past couple of months, but over the course of the 18 months or so that Mark “I played at Birmingham until I was 18, left to (Sampson) had been in charge,” she says. spend three years at Arsenal, before heading to America to play - something I’d always wanted to Karen Carney recently joined the 100 club do.”

“IT’S ALL ABOUT HAVING NO REGRETS”

for England

Carney was part of Arsenal Ladies manager Vic Akers’ quadruple winning team, capturing the Premier League title 14 points clear and winning the UEFA Cup. Then came the opportunity to play in America. “I had just come out of university, so it was a case of get a job or hold out and see if I was drafted to be professional in the US,” Carney says. “Luckily I got drafted. The league over here wasn’t as strong or as competitive as it is now, so I took the risk and had two great years there.” The winger believes her spell in States, where she worked under current Chelsea Ladies boss Emma Hayes at Chicago Red Stars, helped her develop as a player and says there is a definite difference between the league she left and the one she returned to. © The FA via Getty Images

12 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Carney returned to Birmingham Ladies and was a key part of the side who finished league runners-up in 2011 and 2012. The side’s 2015 campaign has started slowly, but Carney hopes the mid-season break will provide a turning point. “We are hoping to get people back and start to gel as a side. Now we have games under our belts and the nerves have gone, we can move on and progress. Hopefully towards to end of the season we will be there, or thereabouts.” A Birmingham fan since birth, Carney became first woman to be inducted into Birmingham City’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.

“I’M HAPPY TO JUST BE A PLAYER, BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT PEOPLE LOOK TO YOU” “Growing up I had Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey to look up to - they also turned out to be my mates and my teammates,” she says. “I think it is important that young girls have someone to aspire to, even though I still looked up to David Beckham too. It was good to have those female role models that were in the same sport and doing the same thing that I was aiming for. “I’m happy to be just a player, but sometimes you have to be conscious of the fact people look to you as an example and that you have a responsibility,” she says. “But it is important and it will only help young girls coming through. “I was a mascot for Birmingham when I was younger and walked out onto the pitch with Steve Claridge. Just under 20 years later my name has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Being the first female is a massive honour and a huge achievement; I want to thank everyone involved in helping me do that. It is nice for Blues fans to see someone who sat in the stands - the same as them - and has now gone into the Hall of Fame.” Karen Carney is on the #RoadToCanada supported by Continental Tyres, watch her video at http://po.st/KarenRTC

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

YOU TWEETED WE ASKED @WFOnlinecom How important a factor do you think the artificial pitches will be? Casey Stoney: Playing on it isn’t ideal but we’re no strangers to it. We’ve trained on it and that could give us an edge. It’s the same for both teams at the end of the day! @LeftyCatchersPa How can we get more women and girls in general to watch sport on TV? Gemma Bonner: Increase the media coverage. The more games televised, the better. It’s also vital the quality of the football remains really high!

The Offside Rule Podcast team Which striker would you least want to be running towards you in the final minute? Siobhan Chamberlain: Can I say any of the England players? Because they’d be running the other way!

@JuliaWesthead I’d like to ask, will Lianne be debuting a new hair do at the tournament? Lianne Sanderson: A lot of people have asked me this! I have a few ideas, I may stay the same, but you will have to wait and see!

14 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

With the 2015 Women’s World Cup growing ever closer, there are some important (and not so important) issues to think about when the players cross the Atlantic Ocean. We asked you to tweet in your questions for England players with the promise we’d get them answered...

@SusanAlbrighton Which countries defensive players are you least looking forward to facing? Toni Duggan: The Germans have always been very good defensively; they have a good physical presence and are really tough to break down.

@JuliaWesthead Which team and players do you think might surprise us at the World Cup? Anita Asante: I think honestly Switzerland have a great opportunity to achieve the unexpected. Ramona Bachmann is dangerous attacking threat for them. @StephiDay How are players prepping to deal with the time zone changes? Fara Williams: As professional footballers, we are experienced in dealing with time zone changes. We haven’t discussed this with the England staff yet but I’m sure once the players meet up for camp then it will be discussed at greater length.

SUE SMITH’S

ULTIMATE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP KITBAG The Offside Rule Podcast’s women’s football correspondent, former England international Sue Smith gives us a quick guide to everything you need as a footballer heading to a World Cup.

A laptop/tablet They’re important for a couple of reasons, first and foremost to video message friends or loved ones back at home and maybe for a little bit of Facebook and Twitter too, it’s always good to keep up with the gossip.

Phone/Camera A phone to ring and text people back at home and a camera is good to capture those moments to always remember.

English tea bags and hot chocolate sachets Home comforts are always nice whilst you’re away on long camps and you can’t beat a good brew.

A change of clothes

A lucky Buddha

In case we get an odd day off to look around where we’re staying. It’s nice to get out of the tracksuit once in a while.

I had a lucky Buddha that my mum bought me after the World Cup in China. After that we rubbed its belly before every game!

Music You can’t beat a good tune to motivate you before the game or help you relax. I listen to anything from Take That, to a bit of Rihanna.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

ROAD TO CANADA GIRLS ON THE BALL ON HOW ENGLAND REACHED THE 2015 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP England’s qualifying campaign for the 2015 Women’s World Cup followed the script almost to the letter and the side breezed through. 10 wins out of 10, they scored 52 goals, conceding only one.

26 October 2013 – England 2 v 0 Wales Wales proved a much tougher test than the previous two opponents. In front of over 5,700 people at The Den, the Welsh side held their own in the first half. Their determination personified by their captain, Jess Fishlock; who insisted she stay on the pitch, despite breaking her arm.

It was also a period of transition. After the dismissal of Hope Powell following the 2013 European Championships, Brent Hills was appointed caretaker head coach before Mark England finally broke the visitors down early in the Sampson took permanent control in December second half with goals from Jordan Nobbs and Toni 2013. New players came, some older faces Duggan to secure a solid 2-0 victory. returned while others departed as Sampson began to find his balance...

31 October 2013 – Turkey 0 v 4 England

21 September 2013 – England 6 v 0 Belarus A 6,800-strong crowd gathered at Dean Court in Bournemouth to watch England’s first game under Brent Hills. A strong response to a disappointing Euro’s campaign was needed and it is exactly what the team delivered.

Adana provided the setting for England’s first away game of the campaign. Located deep in eastern Turkey, the game kicked off at sunset with the call to prayer ringing in the background. Although the Turkish side were stronger than the first time the sides met, Eniola Aluko and Fara Williams sent the Lionesses 2-0 up at half-time, before Toni Duggan and Jordan Nobbs rounded off the scoring in the second half.

Belarus were a very young and inexperienced side and England put six goals past their opponents, with Karen Carney claiming a hat-trick before half-time. 5 April 2014 – England 9 v 0 Montenegro The game was also notable for Natasha Dowie’s return from the wilderness. The FA Women’s Super League’s top scorer came on in the second half and For Sampson’s first competitive game in charge, England took on Montenegro in front of nearly sealed her comeback with a goal. 9,000 people in Brighton. Montenegro were another very young side in Group 6 and were 26 September 2013 – England 8 v 0 Turkey completely outgunned by the home team. England continued where they’d left off five days earlier, putting eight past Turkey at Fratton Park. There was another hat-trick, this time from Toni Duggan, who scored two in the first two minutes. England’s defence were untroubled by a young Turkish side who could not find a response.

16 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

England went in 4-0 at half-time and Toni Duggan notched her second hat-trick of the campaign. Also of note was the recall of Lianne Sanderson. This was her first game on home soil since 2010 and she sealed her return to the setup with a well-taken goal.

8 May 2014 – England 4 v 0 Ukraine Ukraine were England’s next opponents at New Meadow stadium in Shrewsbury. They put up one of the toughest fights the Lionesses faced in their qualification campaign.

crowd behind them, pulled one back, but England hung on...

21 August 2014 – Wales 0 v 4 England Cardiff City Stadium provided the venue for England’s penultimate game. A win would see them qualify for the World Cup.

The home side finally got the breakthrough in the second half; braces from Natasha Dowie and Eniola Aluko sealed the victory, the latter once again putting in The game was over by half-time, with England having a superb player of the match performance. completely blown the home side away. Karen Carney gave the visitors the lead after 15 minutes and with a 14 June 2014 – Belarus 0 v 3 England further three goals in the six minutes before the break, England secured the victory and their place in Canada. England’s mini-Eastern European tour began against Belarus. The Traktar Stadium in Minsk was certainly the 17 September 2014 – Montenegro 0 v 10 England most interesting environment of the campaign, with more military personnel present than fans. In the Belarusian sunshine, England laboured slightly to a 3-0 Taking place in Petrovac, one of the world’s hidden gems, England’s final game of the campaign was win. essentially a dead rubber. It gave Mark Sampson a chance to give some of his younger players some 19 June 2014 – Ukraine 1 v 2 England minutes on the pitch. England put 10 past the young Montenegro side, it was a perfect way to cap off a 10 Five days later and England were now in Lviv to face out of 10 qualifying campaign. Ukraine. Arena Lviv was without doubt the best away stadium of the tour, being one of the venues used during Euro 2012, but also proved to be the most hostile. Casey Stoney marked her return to the starting line-up with an early goal before Eniola Aluko put England 2-0 up at half-time. Ukraine, with a patriotic

With thanks to Girls on the Ball, check out their website www.girlsontheball.com for lots of information on the women’s game.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN STEPH HOUGHTON TALKS ABOUT HER FIRST WORLD CUP AS CAPTAIN I was very much a bench player at my first World Cup in 2011. That experience definitely made me appreciate how frustrating it can be. At that time, the captains were Faye White and Casey Stoney, who shared the armband. They really kept the team together and made sure every member of the squad knew they had an important role to play, regardless of how much playing time they got.

“I LIKE TO THINK I LEAD BY EXAMPLE, I GIVE EVERYTHING”

building great team spirit, which is so important when you go away for long periods of time. For the younger players, the pressure we will be under will be something new. The size of the crowd and the coverage back home, with the BBC broadcasting all of our games, will all be added pressure and perhaps as a squad we’ve got to get a bit better at that: not focusing on things on the outside but on the things we can control as a squad and as individuals.

The games being shown back home will generate a lot more interest. Women’s football in general has made huge steps in terms of getting the media and television on board to help support and raise awareness Being captain has obviously changed the way about our game. We want to play the right way, to try and attract those fans to keep I am as a person. I like to think I lead by coming back. I definitely feel we’ve gradually example. I give everything, no matter whether that’s in training, recovery or during done that over the past year. a game. In Canada, it will be important we keep the group together as much as we can. Our first group game is against France, who We will be a long way away from home and we obviously have a bit of a rivalry with. They are in the top three in the world and away for a long time so it’s important we have that balance between working hard on our record against them isn’t great. This time the training pitch, and relaxing and trying to we’ll be facing them in the World Cup and I know for a fact we’ll be up for it. We know enjoy the tournament as much as we can. it’ll be tough - they’ve hit form lately and have a lot of great individual players. It’s We have 10-12 days at St George’s Park before we fly out, which will be vital for our important we don’t focus too much on them preparation and the atmosphere is good at but on ourselves - and how we can be the the moment. At the last camp there were a best we can be on that day. It’s all about few nerves because it was the last chance to getting out of the group, and getting points impress before selection but generally I think against France will bode really well for us for the rest of the tournament. we’ve made really good strides as a team since Mark has been in charge. We’re

18 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Steph is now captain of both her club and country

“THERE IS NO BETTER STAGE TO GO AND PERFORM WELL ON” Beyond France, you’ve got to look towards Germany. They’ve been a force in women’s football for years and are ranked number one in the world. They’re the ones you want to be competing with, mirroring their professionalism, their winning mentality and how they play their football. These are the teams you relish going up against - hopefully they don’t do quite so well this time! Footballers want to be competitive at all times. When you step over that white line you want to win the game and the World Cup is no different. There is no better stage to go and perform well on. We really appreciate all the support back home and we’ll be doing our best to make everybody proud. It’s been a long time coming and we just can’t wait to get there.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

HOST’S BRITISH BOSS NIAMH ARCHIBALD SPEAKS TO CANADA COACH JOHN HERDMAN Mark Sampson won’t be the only English coach at this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Canada. Indeed, the boss of the hosts himself was born and raised in County Durham before pursuing a coaching career abroad. After time in charge of the women’s side in New Zealand, the 39-yearold is ready to guide the host nation to potential glory in 2015.

I think one of the big strengths is that the team are ready to embrace that and not see it as a burden or curse of additional expectation or pressure. Despite the fact you’re an English manager, not many people will know a lot about you. Tell us a bit about your managerial style; did you pick up any particular inspirations growing up?

I am an inclusive coach that aims to empower players You worked as manager of the New Zealand women’s to take responsibility for the high level of training and team for five years before moving to Canada, what the performance they put in out on the pitch. was it that attracted you to pursue a career in the women’s game? Generally, as a manager, I think you look at different ways of doing things and other When the opportunity came up to work in New managers. I was always a big Kevin Zealand with the youth national teams I decided to give Keegan fan when he was at Newcastle. it a crack. I had worked with some girls with the I admired his style of play and I national federation. It was an area of coaching I admired Bobby Robson for his manenjoyed and it seemed like my philosophy, style of management skills. coaching and approach was conducive to female athletes. In New Zealand, I had some great experiences; they have a Moving to Canada has definitely been a huge wonderful structure and opportunity for me. When I worked in New Zealand for development system for high a long period of time I developed a team of 18 to 23performance coaches. I got a year-olds, many of them were at the beginning of their chance to work alongside international journey and they were the core of my coaches outside football and squad. liaised with some of the top rugby, netball, cricket and Coming to Canada gave me the chance to work with triathlon coaches. It gave players who are 27 to 30 plus, women who were me a chance to get a generally ready to take on that responsibility and take different insight into accountability for leadership during the training. I think things that women’s that was a big shift and again it complimented my style football that might and my approach. have been lacking or missing – things This is your first World Cup with Canada, how like sports science prepared do you feel and what are the strengths of and sports your squad? psychology and other things I wasn't Canada has expectations for the team but there is a aware of. reality there. The team sits outside the top five teams in the world and we are going to need home support as the x-factor to push us through.

20 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

You’re in a group with your old team. Does that give you an advantage and how much are you looking forward to coaching the hosts of the tournament? I know the New Zealand squad very well and that does give me a slight advantage but at the same time they know me as a coach and know my approaches. We have a win record over them and I think Canada is the stronger team. They will give us a hell of a game, I am sure about that, but I am pretty confident we will get the result we need. As a sport we are very well supported: both financially and by the fans. At our home matches we’ve had 3,000 plus in Winnipeg to watch us and you will see us fill the stadiums when we play our matches this summer. The exciting thing is the legacy that it will leave. The whole thing is a game changer for our country; it will bring the best of women’s sport to Canada. It will go city to city, coast to coast, and will be the biggest sporting event we have ever hosted in Canada in terms of the coverage. Tell us a bit about the Canada players we should look out for this summer? Due to injuries that have cropped up over the last year, we have had to draw on a lot of young players. They have got more opportunities than I think people expected. We have a young trio of Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming, all under the age of 20 who are going to potentially compete on the biggest stage. Jessie is only 17, but I think she will be one to watch and while you can’t expect a 16 or 17year-old to deliver what a 30-year-old can, I think people will be impressed by what this girl can do. Finally, should you come up against England in the tournament, how will you approach it and what do you think the strengths of Mark Sampson’s side are? England has a very dynamic team. There’s pace all across their front players and defensively they are a solid unit. We came up against them recently in the Cyprus Cup and found it hard to break them down. We had something like 24 shots and crosses but couldn't find the back of the net. When you've got weapons like Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko and Lianne Sanderson – in fact you could go on and on with the players that he has got there – I think they are a team that could be a real dark horse. © Canada Soccer

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

STADIUM GUIDE GEORGE RINALDI RUNS US THROUGH THE SIX HOST VENUES OF CANADA 2015

COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

EDMONTON

The beautiful city of Edmonton is home to the Commonwealth Stadium, the second largest stadium in Canada with a capacity of 56,302 and will play host to the third place play-off on 4 July. Although usually occupied by Canadian football club Edmonton Eskimos, the stadium is no stranger to football. The FIFA U20 Women's World Cup and the U19 Women's Championship final between Canada and the USA - which drew the largest crowd for a women's youth match (47,000) - were hosted here. The stadium itself was opened in 1978 at a cost of around $20m but has undergone a few renovations and expansions to create the all-seater, open-air stadium we see today. Canada Women's team might not be the stadium’s biggest fans, having lost three times out of five, including in their most recent defeat in Edmonton - a 3-0 loss to Japan.

Montreal holds the gorgeous Olympic Stadium, built in preparation for the 1976 Olympic Games. Sometimes referred to as ‘The Big O’ thanks to its shape, it is ready and raring to go with over 60,000 people waiting to fill the seats this summer. It is not its first World Cup, having only last year hosted the final for the 2014 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup between Nigeria and Germany, one of the four venues that played its part in the tournament. Fifteen thousand were in attendance for the third place play-off game, which preceded the big finale. The biggest match it will hold in the World Cup is one of the semi-finals. England's final group match versus Colombia will be played there on 17 June.

BC PLACE

VANCOUVER

22 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

OLYMPIC STADIUM

MONTREAL

Vancouver will see fans flock to their city on the last day of the tournament. The B.C Place Stadium has the honour of hosting the final on 5 July. Holding over 54,000, of which it seems 20,000 will be allocated for the competition, the B.C Place Stadium is situated next to the docking station for ferries coming from English Bay. The stadium gets its name thanks to its football team the B.C. Lions, who are owned by the B.C Corporation. The World Cup will be its first major sports competition besides the Winter Games. There are 1,140 HDTV screens placed around the concourses for supporter comfort, and it also has the largest retractable cable roof in the world. How thoughtful.

England will play 2 group games in Moncton and 1 in Montreal...

MONCTON STADIUM

MONCTON

With probably the joint least original Montreal’s Olympic Stadium name of the six is the world’s tallest slanted structure stadiums on show, Moncton is the main AND host venue for the stadium, standing at England Women's team. 175m! The quaint 10,000-seater stadium - rising to 25,000 with extra seats put in - is the second newest of the stadiums on show in Canada, having been built in 2010. It cost a total of $17m to build, ahead of the IAAF 2010 World Junior Championships. It hosts football often, having hosted eight FIFA Under20 Women's World Cup matches and one Canada Women's game - a 10 victory over China.

Ottawa will always refer to TD Place as Lansdowne. The stadium was built way back in 1908 and resides in the Lansdowne fields, Ottawa Fury FC play their home football matches there. An expected 24,000 spectators will pile in to catch some World Cup football when the stadium hosts one of the quarter-finals. The stadium has recently added what it calls a “dramatic and unique south stand superstructure”, new hi tech scoreboards and signage. It was one of six hosts for the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup and has also welcomed The Rolling Stones onto its turf. Hopefully there will be some 'Satisfaction' from the supporters when they see their favourite players out in force during the tournament…

INVESTORS GROUP FIELD

WINNIPEG

DID YOU KNOW?!

TD PLACE STADIUM

OTTAWA

Investors Group Field is the final of the six stadiums playing host in this Women's World Cup. Completed in 2013, it is the newest to feature in the tournament. Winnipeg has hosted a number of football matches of note in the past, so the town itself is full of vibrant football fans. The first Canada Women's national football camp was held there back in 1986. It is a partially covered stadium of around 33,000 seats and includes its own restaurant. The first Canada Women's match held at the stadium was back in 2014, and ended in a 1-1 draw with the USA. Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney have played there, and it was opened by a church service - so it has been well christened.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

KELLY SMITH INTERVIEW RICH LAVERTY TALKS TO THE ENGLAND LEGEND ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION England didn’t play in the USA World Cups in 1999 or 2003, but you know about North America. What will the atmosphere be like in Canada?

players, I think that’s important. There’s a lot of pressure and expectation at Arsenal and to deal with that is tough. We’ve got some talented players.

They’re all about women’s football. They’ve got a chance of winning and it’s a great place for young kids to improve. I know from playing there, how excited they get.

What should England’s expectations be, going into this World Cup?

I think it’s really hard to tell because I don’t think they’ve really been tested in a major competitive Does the fact England missed two tournaments game for a while now. Mark will face teams show what a good job Hope Powell did and what they’re not used to playing, like Colombia and Mark Sampson continues to do? Mexico, so I think the test comes now. They’ll have learnt things from the Germany and USA games I played for the national team for ten years and we and hopefully that will help them. didn’t qualify twice so it does go to show how far we’ve come. We’re comfortably qualifying now; a Where does Canada 2015 rank in terms of scale lot of hard work has paid off. Those principles and will it be competitive? Hope put in years ago have carried on with Mark. This will be the biggest World Cup ever, in my Does it also show more girls are playing football opinion. In the past, Germany and USA have been and there is more competition for places? the teams to beat, but now it’s really different because you’ve got France, Japan, Sweden and When I started out, I was the only girl England who are all outsiders. There are probably in a boy’s team! Even before some five or six teams who could do really well. of our Arsenal games there are U9 games going on and it’s great for me Now you’re retired and can observe as an exto see things like that. player, do you feel the England squad has changed for the better? You’ve obviously got young girls coming through at Arsenal, I view it as a fan now. It’s great the BBC is covering people like Carla the games so everyone can watch. It’s so Humphrey and Leah important to keep the support network up. In Williamson. Do you 2011, only the quarter-final was shown on TV and offer them support we lost, so it’s good now that fans can follow the and advice? whole story from the first game. Yeah, if they want it! I have good relationships with all the young

24 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

KELLY SMITH’s WORLD CUP FACTFILE Number of World Cups: 2 (2007 and 2011) International years: 1995-2015

Smith is by far England’s most decorated female footballer, and has the stories to show it

Best World Cup match: England 2 v 2 Japan, 2011 Smith scored both goals for England

You played a key part in the 2011 World Cup, when England cruelly exited the tournament after losing to France on penalties in their quarterfinal. What was it like walking up to take the first one? For me, remembering that penalty, my main focus was trying to block out the crowd and concentrate on my walk-on. The elation when it hit the back of the net was great. I’ve never missed a penalty in that situation; it’s about bottle, but it’s a really tough thing to do. You want people who are confident to go up and take one.

World Cup appearances: 7 World Cup goals: 4 All Images:

Finally, putting you on the spot, who will win the 2015 World Cup?

“MARK WILL FACE TEAMS THEY’RE NOT USED TO PLAYING, SO I THINK THE TEST COMES NOW.”

That’s tough. If I had to bet on it, I’d say its USA’s year. They’ve had some off-the -field issues but they’ve got experience, desire, great mental strength and some great players. I think they have all the ingredients to do it, they’ll have plenty of support back home and there will be plenty making the trip up to Canada to support them.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

ENGLAND’S YOUNG GUNS ANDREW GIBNEY LOOKS AT ENGLAND’S NEXT FIVE RISING STARS The first half of this year’s FA Women’s Super League has given some young English talent the chance to showcase their ability. They might not have made it into Mark Sampson’s initial 23-player squad for Canada, but there is still time for them to make a lasting impression in the future.

Natasha Flint: Manchester City Winger Eighteen-year-old Natasha Flint was part of the England side that played in the U20 World Cup last summer. With further exposure to the Manchester City first team, she would have been hoping to make a second trip to North America just 12 months on. Flint is a fearless winger, able to cut defences apart on the inside and out. She has shown a great turn of pace and wonderful ability to pick out teammates with her powerful right-foot.

DID YOU KNOW? Liverpool captain Gemma Bonner is already an England international

Flint is also studying at college around playing football

Bethany Mead: Sunderland - Striker Over two seasons in FA WSL 2, Bethany Mead scored 59 goals, helping Sunderland secure promotion to the top flight for the current campaign. Adept at holding up the ball, the 19-year-old has also displayed superb pace and power to get in behind the opposition. She was excellent in helping the Black Cats shock Liverpool in their win on the opening day of the new campaign. It’s only a matter of time before she graduates from England’s U19s to the first team squad.

DID YOU KNOW?

26 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Mead suggested Gemma Bonner was her toughest opponent in the FA WSL

Gemma Bonner: Liverpool - Defender Born in Leeds, Gemma Bonner has taken that Yorkshire steel with her first to Chelsea and now Liverpool, making over 40 appearances for the two-time FA WSL Champions. She has played less than a handful of games for her country, but was in with a big chance of featuring in Canada. Although not selected for Mark Sampson’s initial 23-player squad, Bonner should still go on to have a long and established international career.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bonner completed a university degree in sports performance two years ago

Keira Walsh: Manchester City - Midfielder Already part of the England U19 squad, Keira Walsh has forced her way into Nick Cushing’s plans at Manchester City and the teenager looks experienced beyond her years. Walsh only made her debut for the club in this year’s FA Cup win over Doncaster, but her ability to drive from midfield and her ambition to create chances for both herself and her teammates, has helped her stand out in a star-laden team.

DID YOU KNOW?

Walsh likes to listen to MK (DJ Marc Kinchen) before a game

Leah Williamson: Arsenal - Midfielder Nobody in women’s football has yet had a 2015 to rival Leah Williamson. After playing her way into the limelight late in 2014, the Arsenal midfielder was nominated for a range of awards before being voted England’s Young Player of the Year. But, after a controversial penalty incident in an U19 qualifier shot her into the news, Williamson was then voted the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year, surely ensuring she will play a large part in Mark Sampson’s England plans for the future.

DID YOU KNOW?

Williamson still has a signed photo from Kelly Smith after she was mascot for England as a youngster

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

LEAH WILLIAMSON RICH LAVERTY TALKS TO ENGLAND’S LATEST SUPERSTAR Leah Williamson appears incredibly assured for an 18year-old who has recently been thrust into the media spotlight. She’s confident and speaks well, but more striking than anything else - clearly has her feet firmly on the ground.

was focused on her, Sky Sports showed the moment live, but the 18-year-old never looked like missing. Despite a huge amount of pressure and expectation heaped on her shoulders, Williamson says she felt relatively calm, despite the painstaking wait.

Williamson grew up in Milton Keynes, where she still lives with her family, who make sure she gets to and from Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on a daily basis. The teenager is Arsenal through and through, joining the club in 2006 at the age of just nineyears-old. It’s only 12 months since she made her debut for the club and she’s come an incredibly long way in such a short period of time.

“It was the afternoon of the day before. I’d rushed off to the appeal and thought that would be that, but they told me it would be retaken. It was the most bizarre thing ever. We’d been joking about it, but we didn’t think it would come to that. I just tried to sleep it off, people said don’t think about it, but there’s no way you can’t to be honest. It was the longest run up to a penalty in history!”

Idolising Arsenal legend Kelly Smith, Williamson was once a mascot with Smith for England many years ago standing alongside a player who was part of the dominant Arsenal side before the days of the FA Women’s Super League. Smith is now a teammate of Williamson, a partner in midfield and undoubtedly a mentor off the pitch. It’s clear that no matter how fast things are moving, the midfielder has a good team of people around her, supporting her every move.

“IT’S LIKE BEING A SPONGE, YOU HAVE TO ABSORB EVERYTHING”

Williamson was really thrust into the limelight in April during England’s qualifier for the European U19 Championships. An expert penalty taker, she stepped up in the last minute of a match against Norway to secure England’s path to the finals. But, a horrific refereeing error after encroachment saw Norway receive a free-kick, rather than England being allowed to retake. After several appeals, it was agreed the game would restart days later, from the penalty spot, with all the pressure firmly on Williamson’s shoulders. All the news

28 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

In the space of six months, life has taken off for Williamson. She was nominated the FA WSL Continental Cup Player of the Year, ahead of established stars such as Toni Duggan, Jess Clarke and Ji So-Yun.

Then came the England Women’s Youth Player of the Year, followed by the PFA Young Women’s Player of the Year award in April. Even on stage in front of her family, her peers and the likes of Eden Hazard and Wayne Rooney, Williamson looked and spoke like she belonged. So how exactly has she kept her head straight?

“A director at Arsenal once told me it’s like being a sponge, you have to absorb everything around you. I will always remember that.” Williamson is certainly not one for worrying about the past: everything is about the future, about improvement. She couldn’t be coming into the professional women’s game at a better time. Professional contracts are falling into the hands of many FA WSL players, live games are being shown on TV and attention on the game is at an all-time high. The Arsenal midfielder simply believes there isn’t enough time to dwell on what’s in the past. “Things quieten down, but then new things come up and there’s something fresh to focus on. I never take my foot off the pedal. I put one thing behind me and focus on the next thing; there’s always a goal. It’s my second year in the FA WSL so things have moved quickly. “You can always learn; you have to come out of a training session knowing what you’ve achieved. To make sure you have goals and that you always have something to aim for. Otherwise you can go for years and never progress. There won’t always be someone behind you to push you along, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

“YOU NEVER WANT TO LOOK BACK AND BE THE PERSON WHO COULD HAVE BEEN” Whilst further progress will surely see her receive attention from other FA WSL clubs, Williamson is clearly exactly where she wants to be. Her family are huge Arsenal fans and the player has said it would feel strange to wear another kit. Whilst the Gunners aren’t yet the dominant force they once were, she is under the wings of experienced players like Smith and Alex Scott and has been fortunate enough to grow up around close friends in the game such as Carla Humphrey. Scott herself paid the highest tribute to Williamson lately, suggesting she could go on to become “one of the best in the game.” Williamson admits it’s a nice thing to hear. “Confidence always helps, it’s important to have that. Things aren’t always going to go well, so it’s always good to hear things like that, it picks you up. You never want to look back and be the person who could have been.” For the time being, she’s looking forward to a trip to Israel this summer for the European U19 Championships, a position secured thanks to that dramatic penalty last month. But, with a rapid rise to fame and unquestionable talent, it is only a matter of time before the teenager makes the step up to the first team. “I suppose I would never say anything is off the table, but you have to be realistic. It would have been fantastic to get a call-up for Canada, but there are more achievable goals, like Euro 2017. Fortunately I’m still at an age where I can still play in the youth tournaments and they’re great, but there’s always something to aim at.”

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

ICONIC MOMENTS EMMA WHITNEY LOOKS AT THE 5 MOST ICONIC WORLD CUP MOMENTS SINCE 1991 Since its inception in 1991, the Women’s World Cup has thrown up some great moments that went under the radar due to a lack of media attention. We look back at the top five moments in 24 years.

First FIFA Women’s World Cup Final United States 2 - 1 Norway Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, China 30 November 1991 The final of the first ever Women’s World Cup saw 60,000 fans pack into the Tianhe Stadium, reflecting the way China enthusiastically welcomed the tournament to its shores. Michelle Akers scored her ninth and 10th goals of the World Cup, bettering Linda Medalen’s header for Norway, as the US Women’s National Team claimed their first world title – fitting for a country which had given, and would go on to give, so much to women’s football.

To beat the reigning champions in the semi-final of their home World Cup requires something special. Kerstin Garefrekes put Germany ahead early on, converting an excellent corner from Renate Lingor. The USA didn’t roll over and the match stayed tight until the end. Both goalkeepers enjoyed exceptional games, with Germany’s Silke Rottenberg denying Mia Hamm and America’s Briana Scurry pulling off an astonishing double save from another corner. As they pressed for the equaliser, Maren Meinert caught America on the break in injury time, before Birgit Prinz added insult to injury and Germany claimed their first World Cup.

Japan were surprise victors back in 2011.

30 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Greatest Women’s Game Ever USA 2003 Semi-Final USA 0 - 3 Germany, PGE Park, Portland, USA 5 October 2003

Marta’s footballing wizardry - China 2007 Semi-Final USA 0 - 4 Brazil Yellow Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou, China, 27 September 2007 Ending their 51-match unbeaten run, Brazil’s seismic defeat of the USWNT became all the more remarkable thanks to a moment of magic from five-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta. With her side already three goals to the good, and enjoying a one-woman advantage, Marta collected the ball to the left of USA’s penalty area 11 minutes from time. Controlling with her right foot, she looped the ball past a first defender with her left, before taking on another and slotting coolly home. Marta top-scored in China 2007 with seven goals and was a deserved winner of the Golden Ball award for best player. Women’s football star Marta slaughtered the US back in 2007.

Japan stun the United States Japan 2 - 2 USA (aet) Japan won 3-1 on penalties Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany, 17 July 2011 The fact that Japan reached the final of Germany 2011 was surprising enough for most, but this was a team not to be underestimated. Hosts Germany were among the sides Japan had determinedly dispatched. World Cup stalwarts America twice went ahead in the final, through goals from Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach, but Japan clawed their way back, Aya Miyama capitalising on some slack defending in the 81st minute, before Player of the Tournament Homare Sawa cancelled out Wambach’s extra-time effort. The only American to convert from the ensuing penalties was Wambach, meaning that Saki Kumagai’s brilliant spot-kick ensured the Women’s World Cup belonged to an Asian nation for the first time.

That Penalty USA 0 - 0 China (aet) USA won 5-4 on penalties Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, USA, 10 July 1999 After a free-scoring tournament, the score at the Rose Bowl remained goalless; for the first time, the winner of the Women’s World Cup would be decided via penalties. Brandi Chastain had the chance to win it for America as she stepped up to the plate, with all the pressure of 90,185 people watching her, plus an estimated television audience of 40 million in the US alone. To score from 12 yards with the sort of aplomb that Chastain did, therefore, is mesmerising. The joyous, in-the-moment celebration which ensued, Chastain twirling her jersey round her head with her sports bra showing, was perfect; her athletic body summing up the years of dedication which had got her to such a moment in the first place.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

Brandi Chastain was responsible for one of the most iconic celebrations back in 1999. © HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images

BEHIND THE SCENES @

ST. GEORGE’S PARK RICH LAVERTY TALKS TO ENGLAND HEAD COACH MARK SAMPSON AND WINGER KAREN CARNEY ABOUT WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS Opened almost three years ago, the national football centre has become a haven for both male and female national teams, as well as academies and club teams from around the country - even the great FC Barcelona. The centre was built to be a base for all development work undertaken by the FA, in both coaching and the training of young players in world-class facilities. It’s certainly evident after spending just a few hours there how right they’ve got it. The surroundings are other-worldly, the facilities second-to-none; and there is a different club badge on every coach you walk past.

“YOU DON’T REALISE HOW GOOD IT IS AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS UNTIL YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU DON’T HAVE IT” Built over 330 acres of countryside in Staffordshire, the centre has 12 training pitches, 3G pitches - of particular interest to the England women’s side ahead of this year’s World Cup - and full-size indoor pitches. There is also a range of analysis rooms, training gyms, huge sport science facilities and even a Hilton Hotel. The initial undertaking of the project was far from smooth, but what the FA has now is an exceptional facility to not just hone the talents of the players they already have, but to make sure there is a base for young players and coaches to improve, ensuring a bright future for the English game.

32 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

England Women head coach Mark Sampson knows the facilities as well as anybody and is currently in the midst of a 10-day training camp with his squad before they fly out to Canada for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. A facility like St. George’s Park is something new to women’s football in England. It’s an incredible opportunity to make sure the players are at peak fitness, able to analyse their opposition in incredible detail and go out to Canada with the knowledge they are one hundred per cent prepared to go toe-to-toe with the world’s best.

the best possible preparation.” The admiration of St. George’s Park stretches even further when it comes to the players themselves: many grew up playing with boys, with scant facilities to train and almost no expectation of a professional football career. Karen Carney, a key player over a number of years for England, is almost in awe of the facilities and how they have helped her and her teammates in the last couple of years.

“To have everything under one roof is just “As you can imagine, everything we’re doing here incredible,” she says. has been planned and planned over and over so we’re well aware of what the objectives are for “The training facilities and the extra facilities we these ten days,” says Sampson. have for recovery are second-to-none; it’s the best in the world. “We’ve got to make sure we’re improving on the pitch, but we need to continue to grow that “Other nations have shown how much they think strong spirit we’ve got, so to bring everyone of it, we’ve had Barcelona here training at the together here for 10 days is perfect. same time as us and a lot of other international clubs have come here too.” “We want to improve everyone’s physical attributes, make sure everyone is fit and in a good Recovery is particularly vital for footballers now. place when we leave St. George’s Park.” For England Women, the demands of continuous games in Canada, in hot conditions against top The women’s side regularly trains at St. George’s opposition, means a quick recovery for the next Park before games, including the last friendly game is crucial. match against China, held at Manchester City’s new City Football Academy, back in April. With injuries commonplace in the game, Carney realises the importance of having so many Sampson realises how lucky his team are, to be incredible facilities available to her and the rest of able to prepare for Canada in the best possible the team at the national football centre. way. “The ice recovery baths, the treadmills, the “We’re in a very fortunate position; we’ve got an underwater treadmills, the pools, it’s got incredible national football centre where absolutely everything. If you can think of it, everything comes together in a world class they’ve got it here. football facility. “To have this available to us, especially before a “We’re also lucky to have the opportunity to work tournament, is fantastic and it’s great to see that on 3G pitches, the same ones we’ll be playing on such a commitment to football here has paid off in Canada, we’ve got all the classrooms where we and is benefitting not just us, but everybody.” can look at data and analyse our opposition, we’ve got the perfect chance to give the players

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St. George’s Park also plays host to the FA Girls’ Football Festivals, run in partnership with Continental Tyres. The festivals are held all around the country at different venues, giving girls the chance to train with each other, enhance their talent and gain advice from professional footballers and coaches.

Young girls showing off their impressive skills at one of St. George’s Park’s most recent festivals.

It’s an incredible initiative; under the tuition and guidance of both Mark Sampson and Karen Carney over 300 girls attended a festival held this April, at St. George’s Park. The overall goal is to get the girls that attend interested in, and playing, football. But, there is something for everyone, including face painting, hair braiding and music. “It’s really great to see the variety of options the kids have available to them,” says Sampson. “It’s about being exposed to different challenges, some people enjoy just kicking a ball about, they would do that all day but there’s more to it than that. “These are the type of events that make St. George’s Park a special place. I’d say the same to them as I’d say to my team, just enjoy it. Be enthusiastic, have a positive outlook and hopefully coming to this kind of facility will help with that.” The festivals started in 2012, shortly after St. George’s Park was opened. Hundreds of girls flood into various venues around the country to play football and try to follow in the footsteps of the players currently heading out to Canada to play in a World Cup. Carney and the rest of the England team know how important the opportunity is, given the difficulties they had getting into the game. “Continental have been involved with women’s football since about 2011, they’ve done a number of events and these festivals are fantastic. There’s a 95% success rate for girls leaving here and joining another team somewhere else,” she says.

34 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

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A WORD FROM THE BOSS MARK SAMPSON LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS FIRST WORLD CUP

Women’s football is enjoying a moment where there is real excitement about the game...

opposition analysts do a superb job. We sent someone out to South America to gain information and data on Colombia, but at the end of the day whoever we play, we have to be at our best on the day.

There’s more interest than there has ever been before. From our point of view, we’re going to a World Cup and we’ll enjoy what we can of it, but we have to focus on our own game and on being competitive. To do that in such a big tournament, we will really have to be at our best.

Fortunately, we’ve got a good group of players who are all in good form, who have the right attitude and the right characteristics to succeed. We had a number of tough selection decisions to make because we’ve had so many in-form players over the last 12 months. A lot of them were in contention but we had to pick a squad that will serve us well in Canada.

The sense of expectation and excitement is huge. We’ve worked so hard as a team to get to where we are now, to qualify and to develop the team - and we feel like we’re in a really good place. Right now, there’s a huge sense of overriding excitement and that’s a great way to go into any tournament.

“ONCE THE PLAYERS CROSS THE WHITE LINE ONTO THE PITCH, WE WANT TO PROVE THAT WE CAN BE A CHALLENGE”

We’ve got an incredibly strong winning mentality, which runs through all of the players, but we’ve also We have to do what we always have to do: treat the got some amazing individual talent going forward. We football matches as football matches, nothing more. We need to keep to our simple routines, want to be a very difficult team for our opponents to routines that have served us so well so play against and we want every team that comes up far. We need to work hard and work for against us to know they’re in for a tough game. each other; and when we get on the I want the players to go out and enjoy it, but it’s also pitch, show commitment to executing about playing well and taking something from the our game plan. Myself and the staff are working around the clock to ensure we’re experience. We want to play as a team, work hard and stick to the plans that we have drilled into everyone in the best state possible for Canada. over the past few months. There are definitely challenges We have to make sure we do that this year in Canada. along the way. Accessing the Once the players cross the white line onto the pitch, material and the data for the teams we’ll play, for example, we want to prove that we can be a challenge. And has not been not easy. We when they come back off, we must make sure we have know a lot about France, no regrets. and I was fortunate enough to watch Mexico play in the Cyprus Cup when we were out there too. We’re lucky that we’ve got some really great people working on our scouting team and our © The FA via Getty Images

36 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

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38 The Offside Ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road to Canada

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40 The Offside Ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road to Canada

ALEX SCOTT’S COLUMN ENGLAND’S EXPERIENCED DEFENDER TALKS ABOUT CANADA 2015

I have no doubt this World Cup will be the best yet... The world’s eyes will be on Canada, the stadiums will be packed with expectant crowds and as players we’re ready and raring to go. Women’s football has progressed so much in the last few years and the 2015 World Cup will be a stunning spectacle as a result. The game is almost unrecognisable since I started playing, both domestically and internationally. On home turf, the FA Women’s Super League is the most competitive it has ever been in its short existence, with world-class players gracing the league and a number of teams competing for honours. This is undoubtedly having a big and positive impact on the national side.

We’re playing good, confident football - that can only be a good sign. We just need to make sure that these pre-tournament performances translate into the tournament itself and the knockout stages in particular. We can beat anyone on our day - I truly believe that and with players like Fran Kirby in the side, it’s easy to have that belief. She was superb against China in our final warm-up game, she’s the name on everyone’s lips and certainly has the potential to light up the world stage in her first international tournament.

“WE CAN BEAT ANYONE ON OUR DAY - I TRULY BELIEVE THAT”

Lucy Bronze is another player to keep an eye on, without a doubt. She’s a versatile player but I’m tipping her to be centre-back of the tournament if she plays. Media coverage of the game is also improving all the Mark has utilised the squad and players available for time: how fantastic is it that the whole tournament will selection really well in the build-up, with a mix of youth be broadcast across the BBC this summer? Not long and experience, which is so important. This will be the ago, the only women’s football you’d see on TV was first World Cup for a lot of the girls, I’m extremely lucky the FA Cup final. Not now - women’s football is on the and blessed that this will be my third. march. My advice for the younger members of the squad is to Excitement is building among the embrace every moment because you never know whether you’ll get the opportunity again. It’s important squad thanks to some brilliant not to put too much pressure on yourself though - play pre-tournament results and your natural game, express yourself, let your football performance. do the talking and leave everything you have out on Winning the Cyprus Cup has the pitch. Playing in a World Cup is special, you don’t want regrets and I’m determined that we won’t have given us confidence, any. positivity and a real determination to perform well to show the world what we’re about.

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CANADA FACTFILE THINK YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT CANADA? YOU DO NOW... The FIFA Women's World Cup is coming to Canada this summer, where Japan will try to defend their title. The tournament is set to be the biggest in history, with an increase in playing teams from 16 to 24, all vying to lift the trophy in Vancouver on 5 July. Canada is no stranger to women's football. The national women's team has already played in five FIFA Women's World Cups and two Women's Olympic football tournaments. Here are some other interesting facts that you may not know about the country, its football and the host cities from Jaideep Vaidya:

DID YOU KNOW?! Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined...                

FOOTBALL FACTS Biggest win: Canada 21-0 Puerto Rico (1998) Biggest defeat(s): US 9-1 Canada (1995) US 9-1 Canada (2000) Norway 9-1 Canada (2001) Most capped player: Christine Sinclair (222) Most goals: Christine Sinclair (153) FIFA ranking: 8th Highest FIFA ranking: 6th (2011)

1876: First recorded football match - Carlton Cricket Club vs. Lacrosse Club, Toronto 1912: Canadian Soccer Association founded and affiliated to FIFA 1957: Canada (men) played the FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament for Sweden ’58. Failed to qualify 1985: Canadian men’s team became CONCACAF champions 1986: Canada (men) played first FIFA World Cup in Mexico 1986: Canada women’s team played their first international match, lost to USA 2-0 at Blaine 1987: Canada hosted FIFA U17 World Cup 1995: Canada women participated in their first FIFA Women’s World Cup; did not get past group stage 1998: Canada women became CONCACAF champions 2002: Canada hosted the first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2003: Canada women finished fourth in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007: Canada hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup (men’s) - largest single-sport event to take place in the country with almost 1.2 million spectators 2008: Canada women won first of three Cyprus Cups 2010: Canada women won their second CONCACAF title 2012: Canada women took the Bronze medal at the London Olympics 2015: Canada will host its first Women’s World Cup

42 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

THE HOST CITIES... Edmonton: Known as Canada's Festival City, Edmonton, the capital of the Alberta province, is one of the country's fastest growing cities. It is home to North America’s largest parkland - the North Saskatchewan River Valley, which is 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park; North America’s largest entertainment and shopping centre until 2004 - the West Edmonton Mall; and Canada’s largest living history museum Fort Edmonton Park. Edmonton has hosted a number of sporting events in the past, including the 1978 Commonwealth Games, the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup, and the 2007 and 2014 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup. Montreal: Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris and the largest city in the Quebec province. A cultural and business hub, Montreal offers the best of classical old-world charm and a bustling modern metropolis. It also has an underground city - a network of subterranean interconnected passageways stretching more than 30 kilometres. The city has over 300 football (or soccer, as they call it) pitches, including 30 artificial ones. Montreal Impact, who play in Major League Soccer, had a record crowd of nearly 59,000 cheer them on for their opening MLS game at the Olympic Stadium. Vancouver: Vancouver is a vibrant and international city in the district of British Columbia. Known for great shopping and nightlife, Vancouver’s location in the Burrard Peninsula and along the Fraser River also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, biking and rock climbing. Tourism is the city's second-largest industry behind forestry and it is also one of the largest centres for film production in North America, earning it the moniker 'Hollywood North'.

DID YOU KNOW?!

In Northwest Canada, License Plates are in the shape of a Polar Bear...

experience in hosting a major sporting event. It is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps MLS team. Moncton: Located at the geographic centre of the Canadian Maritimes, Moncton has smartened up significantly over the past few decades. The hub city is Canada’s first officially bilingual city (English and French). With great nightlife and plenty to keep you amused, the welcoming Moncton was voted the most polite and honest city in North America by Reader's Digest. Moncton is a centre for entertainment, having hosted record-breaking tours of U2, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones and the Eagles. Ottawa: The Canadian capital is a must-visit city on any tour of the country. An historical centre, it is home to Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery of Canada and the National Arts Centre. Women’s soccer is thriving in the city thanks to Ottawa Fury FC, who boast a phenomenal streak of eight consecutive division titles and a Championship Final win in 2012. The team has provided the national side with several players, including Diana Matheson, Rhian Wilkinson and Robyn Gayle. Winnipeg: Called the cultural cradle of Canada, Winnipeg lies bang in the centre of North America in Canada's Manitoba province. It is a centre for finance, manufacturing and wholesale - a vital cog in Manitoba's economy. It is a diverse city with lots to offer from the arts, sports and entertainment industries.

Winnipeg is no stranger to football, having hosted a number of international tournaments such as FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, men and women’s national team exhibition matches and the Pan Having hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, the city has American Games. © Canada Soccer

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A HISTORY LESSON EMMA WHITNEY LOOKS AT 16 YEAR’S WORTH OF WORLD CUP HISTORY The Women’s World Cup has come a long way since 1991. The first tournament wasn’t even played over a full 90 minutes! We take a look back at the six finals to date.

The Tianhe Stadium held the first final in 1991.

China ‘91 Winner: USA The first Women’s World Cup involved twelve teams playing matches of just 80 minutes. Six match officials were female - a first for a FIFA tournament - and the USA claimed their first World Cup by beating Norway 2-1. Support during China ‘91 was huge, with average attendances nearing 20,000. USA ‘99 Winner: USA All of the match officials were female, 123 goals were scored and 90,185 people made up the largest crowd ever for a women’s sporting event when they saw the USA take on China in the final. A tense affair at the Rose Bowl in California saw the game go to penalties. After American keeper Brianna Scurry saved Liu Ying’s stop-kick, Brandi Chastain had the chance to win the World Cup. Her successful penalty set off wild celebrations across the US and within the Rose Bowl, not least from Chastain herself.

Sweden ‘95 Winner: Norway The second tournament, which was actually known as the Women’s World Cup, saw Norway go one better. After smashing eight past Nigeria and seven past Canada in the group stage, the Norwegians went on to beat Germany 2-0 in the final. Each match at Sweden ‘95 lasted the full 90 minutes, though bizarrely included one time-out per game. England made their World Cup debut, losing 3-0 in the quarters to Germany. Whilst the Rose Bowl was the host of USA’s ‘99 success..

©Woo

44 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Germany take glory in 2003 (Below) and celebrate in ‘07 (Bottom Left). Japan take an emotional victory in ‘11. (Bottom Right)

USA ‘03 Winner: Germany

After thrashing Russia 7-1 in the quarter-finals, Germany faced America in the semis, in a game many regard as the best women’s football match ever. Kerstin Garefrekes put Germany ahead early on, yet little separated the two sides until second half injury time, when Germany scored two goals in quick succession to book their place in the final against Sweden. The Scandinavians took the lead, but Germany’s Maren Meinert - who had come out of retirement for the tournament - equalised after the break. The game went to extra time, and Nia Künzer’s header became the first golden goal in Women’s World Cup history. Despite expectation, it was a disappointing end for the US.

China ‘07 Winner: Germany Argentina were embarrassed 11-0 by reigning champions Germany in the opening game; the result remains the highest-scoring win in the Women’s World Cup finals. The tournament’s stand-out moment occurred when Brazil were 3-0 up against America during their semi-final; picking up the ball outside the penalty area, Marta controlled with her right foot, flicked the ball past a first defender with her left, melted past another and slotted into the net. In a mouth-watering final between Brazil and Germany, Birgit Prinz put the Germans ahead, and the tie seemed certain once Nadine Angerer saved a Marta penalty. Simone Laudehr’s late header saw Germany win their second consecutive World Cup without conceding a goal. You can read more about Marta in our 5 Most Influential Women in Football piece on page 57.

Germany ‘11 Winner: Japan Attendances averaged 26,000 and 86 goals were scored in 32 games. There was quarter-final heartbreak for Germany too, as the hosts went down 1-0 during extra time to Japan. In the final, Alex Morgan put favourites USA ahead against Japan, before Aya Miyama sent yet another game into extra time. Abby Wambach was the only American to convert the team’s ensuing penalties, which Japan won 3-1 to become the first Asian team to win the Women's World Cup.

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BEST OF THE REST MILANA KNEZEVIC LOOKS AT THE WORLD CUP’S KEY TEAMS

GERMANY

JAPAN

Germany is a real powerhouse in women's football, having won eight European Championships and back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. In Canada, they’ll be hoping to bounce back from the shock quarter-final exit they suffered in 2011 on home turf. They seem to be well on their way, having won all ten of their qualifiers, and racking up a staggering 62 goals in the process, including a thorough 13-0 dismantling of Slovenia.

After participating in every Women’s World Cup so far, Japan finally won the coveted trophy in 2011, beating the USA in a penalty shootout. They followed that victory with a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and an Asian Cup win last year. Homare Sawa, 2011 World Player of the Year and one of Japan’s biggest sporting stars, has been reinstated to the side by head coach Norio Sasaki after being surprisingly dropped in recent games. Yūki Ōgimi will likely play an important part in Sasaki’s plans, she has returned to the Bundesliga, where she was top scorer in 2011. Captain Aya Miyama (147 caps) will look to continue the side’s impressive World Cup record.

While it is a big blow that reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Nadine Kessler has been ruled out of the tournament through injury, they are certainly not lacking in top level players. Striker Célia Šašić, this year’s Champions League top scorer, will be familiar to England fans following her two goals at Wembley in November’s friendly. There’s also the technically gifted midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán, who at 23 has already amassed 64 caps and 22 goals for her national side. And of course, there’s captain Nadine Angerer, the only goalkeeper ever to be named World Player of the Year. “Our first goal is to stay in the tournament for as long as possible. If we can make it to the final four, I personally think we would be a huge success, and then we'll see what happens,” says Head Coach, Silvia Neid.

46 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Their run in the Algarve Cup in March ended in a disappointing ninth-place finish, but the tournament helped Sasaki identify the issues addressing in the months leading up to Canada, including passing in defence, stamina and conditioning. “Through trial and error, I think we found our direction for the FIFA Women's World Cup in June," he says.

NORWAY Norway is hoping to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1995 World Cup win by adding another star to their jersey. The former European and Olympic champions will also be keen to bounce back from their failure to reach the World Cup quarter-final in 2011 for the first time in their history. Norway has a number of experienced players to choose from, including captain Trine Bjerke Rønning and midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen, who came out of retirement last year. But two of the biggest talents in the side are youngsters Ada Hegerberg (19) and Caroline Graham Hansen (20). Hegerberg famously, at just 16, scored five goals in 41 minutes in a Norwegian Toppserien league game. Last summer she joined Lyon, where she scored 33 goals in 30 appearances. Wolfsburg’s Graham Hansen, described as Norway’s biggest women’s football star, is working her way back to fitness following knee problems. Coach Even Pellerud says the priority is to work on details like set pieces and defensive structures ahead of the tournament. In March he said the team had yet to discuss their final goal, but added: “It’s in their nature that when these girls enter the field, it’s to get a medal”.

USA Women’s football is serious business in the USA, as made evident by the popularity of the US Women’s National Team. The team has won two World Cups, four Olympic gold medals and seven CONCACAF Championships/Gold Cups.

Is Marta the best of the rest?

Algarve Cup win, she said: “Sometimes you win pretty or ugly. This has to be our mindset moving forward to gain the advantage”.

BRAZIL Brazil is the most successful Latin American national women’s team, having picked up six Copa America wins. They have come close to winning the World Cup too, finishing third in 1999 and as runners up in 2007. After a disappointing showing at this year’s Algarve Cup, finishing seventh, they’ll be hoping to reclaim their spot on the world stage in Canada.

They have a wealth of talent at their disposal; from midfield maestro Megan Rapinoe, who famously scored an Olimpico at London 2012, to Amy Rodriguez one of the top scorers in last season’s National Women’s Soccer League - and rising star up front, Christen Press. Alex Morgan is also making her way back after ankle injury and hopes to make her mark on the tournament. Meanwhile, former World Player of the Year, Abby Wambach, seems fully focused on World Cup success, controversially deciding to forgo club football this coming US season to prepare for Canada.

It’s impossible to talk about Brazil without mentioning the biggest star in women’s football. The fivetime World Player of the Year, Marta, is competing in her fourth World Cup. She will look to cement her place as all-time World Cup top scorer, for which she was level with the now-retired German striker Birgit Prinz at the 2011 tournament. Head Coach Vadão has said Brazil’s biggest assets are their technically gifted players; as those who watched their performance against Team GB at the 2012 Olympics can attest to. Among others, he points to young star Andressa, who recently signed for Boston Breakers in the US NWSL. There is also Debinha, the 23-year-old forward, who was top scorer in the Norwegian Toppserien league last season.

Head Coach Jill Ellis, meanwhile, has been criticised for not always playing the attractive football expected from a team of their stature. Speaking after their

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TEAMMATE TALES FRAN KIRBY, ELLEN WHITE, CLAIRE RAFFERTY AND JORDAN NOBBS TELL ALL Whilst there’s a great camaraderie between the England stars when they go away, there’s always room for misfortune. We asked four England players to reveal some team secrets from behind the scenes...

Who’s the worst flyer in the squad? EW: Eni (Aluko) can be a bit… JN: Lianne (Sanderson), probably. Definitely Fara, she loves being in control and she’s not when she’s on a plane! EW: I had to hold her hand last time! Fara (Williams) is the worst, Fran (Kirby) is scared of flying too… CR: Fara literally just sits there, dead still! Jill can be a bit annoying, Jill (Scott) is long too, she just gets in the way!

A unanimous verdict names Fara Williams as the worst flyer, but poor Jill Scott’s height works against her!

Who spends the longest packing and takes the Who takes the longest to get ready? most luggage? Group: Toni Duggan! EW: Steph (Houghton) takes a lot of trainers doesn’t she? JN: Jodie (Taylor) is quite bad, she’s been living out of a USA bag pretty much and it gets bigger every time I see it, I think I could fit in there now! CR: Toni (Duggan) and Eni maybe, they seem to take a fair bit? FK: Toni and Eni take lots of stuff!

JN: Yeah, definitely Toni. All the scousers, the scousers take longest to get ready by a mile! CR: Probably me to be honest at times! I’d say Alex Greenwood; the scousers are definitely the longest. FK: I’m trying to think who’s always last on the coach now! Definitely Toni, Eni can take a while as well.

Who picks the music for the journeys? EW: We only really hear Alex Scott’s, she’s in control but she tries to please everyone. FK: We don’t really get a choice, Alex just sticks hers on and that’s it. CR: Yeah, we just go with it, she’s good though, she’s quite decent with what she puts on so we’re not complaining!

48 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

It appears the scousers in the squad take the longest to get ready. Or so say their teammates!

It’s not good news for Lianne Sanderson in the fashion department...

Who’s the best/worst roommate? Who’s got the worst dress sense? *Lots of whispering between Jordan & Ellen* CR: I got told off for saying Eni when we did this with Chelsea, but she is a bit sparkly sometimes! EW: There’s a few, but really I think we’re thinking of the same person… EW & JN: Lianne Sanderson!

JN: I’ve heard Eni’s not the best, she’s nocturnal basically. FK: I’ve heard a few rumours about Eni being bad to room with. EW: Yeah, she leaves lights on and everything! CR: She stays up really late apparently; she just doesn’t go to sleep. Apparently Steph’s quite a good roommate… FK: Yeah I’ve roomed with Steph a few times, she’s great! CR: I lived with Ellen for four years so I’d take her any day.

It seems poor old Jill can be a bit unorganised when the team are away!

Who’s the least organised and most likely to get themselves lost? EW: I’d say Jill is the least organised, there’s a few. JN: Alex (Scott) always seems to be running to various things, she was last time anyway! CR: Definitely Jill though. She doesn’t go away with us without losing her bank card!

Eni Aluko appears to be the nightmare roommate, the captain the best!

Who’s got the strangest pre-match routine? JN: No one’s really obvious with their routines. I have little ones but nothing major. EW: People have their superstitions. I might put my right boot on first or something like that! CR: Everybody complains about there being no fish fingers or butter before games, quite a few moan about that, I don’t get it! FK: Some people just go dead quiet; Jill and Lianne also have a dance around. Jill never ever knows what the dance is but somehow she can do it!

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It turns out some England players can’t live before a game without some erm….fish fingers.

DADS AND DAUGHTERS AARONY ZADE LOOKS AT THE INFLUENCE FATHERS HAVE ON THEIR YOUNG GUNS Aarony Zade, an Arsenal fan from Amsterdam, has her father to thank for her love of the beautiful game... Recalling the story of becoming a football fan is one laden with ecstasy, bittersweet emotion and nostalgia, depending on the score and the timeline.

of six, Vince says: “It wasn’t really unusual because my wife Jenny is a keen Arsenal fan and saw many matches with me before Hayley was born. If anything it felt natural.”

Vince was even supportive when Hayley started to show signs of defecting to the enemy: “My wife and I took Hayley to a game at Old Trafford in 1997 when she showed signs of becoming a In times gone by, father and son would bond Manchester United supporter. But, something watching football together, on TV or at grounds. happened during the next six months to make her While women are still the minority among football change her mind - probably some parental crowds, the inclusion of women in persuasion!” football is definitely a positive story and one made possible My father never missed my football by the dads who broke the matches. His parenting approach is stereotype and dragged more tough love than heart-to-heart, their daughters along. yet a few words of reasoning from him after my worst ever match impacted When asked whether he my outlook. I was - and still am - a worries about taking his four terrible centre-back. This is not an -year-old daughter to White attempt to humble myself; I made every Hart Lane, Leo, an avid Spurs striker look like Didier Drogba. supporter since 1978, explains: “The atmosphere is completely different to the one I Once, when my errors caused my team to concede found when I first went. Women and girls are no four in the first half, my confidence hit an all-time longer a rarity, but make up a significant and low and I decided to quit. My father grabbed me sizable proportion of the spectators. A minority before I got to my coach and asked if I still enjoyed still, perhaps, but a sizeable and significant one. playing, which I did. He said I shouldn’t quit That said, there is still the odd obscenity shouted something I love just because I was not up to par, out and that will be a concern from a parental that my work rate and commitment on the pitch standpoint.” were more important than my defensive ability. Rather hilariously, he also said the reason I was Hayley Wright keeps a popular video blog titled never dropped from the line-up was because the “Diary of a Season” about Arsenal, the club she squad was thin and they needed me – despite the supports. Her father, Vince, a sports journalist, fact I was responsible for conceding more than stars in her blog every so often. Speaking about half the goals that season. taking Hayley to her first Arsenal match at the age

50 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

I didn’t quit, but it did not turn out to be a feel good story where I went from being terrible to Tony Adams overnight. But every time I had a bad game, I looked at my old man and remembered his encouragement. He was the general who gave me the strength to never turn my back in a battle. Laura Walsh, from Birmingham, used to visit Villa Park as a young girl with her father: “It was 1992 when my dad took me to my first football match; it was intimidating to say the least. At a young age, 90 minutes seemed like an eternity and I didn’t think I’d be back.” But, Laura became part a regular fixture at Villa games: “I had my dad next to me, with his arm around my shoulders. His enthusiasm was infectious. And the rough image of Midlands football became friendlier, my dad with me, guiding me through.”

“There was a point when I threatened to support Manchester United. Looking back, I’m able to admit this was mainly petulant, attention-seeking rebellion that didn’t get the reaction I wanted. “Even as a child I soon realised supporting different teams would have far-reaching implications for our relationship. We could still talk about football if we were on opposing sides, but we wouldn’t truly be able to share in each other’s experiences, practically or emotionally.

“I HAD MY DAD NEXT TO ME, WITH HIS ARM AROUND MY SHOULDERS. HIS ENTHUSIASM WAS INFECTIOUS”

Probably the best part about sharing football with your dad is how it can turn into an amazing friendship. Not the kind where you verbally acknowledge him as a friend and you hold a strong hunch that he is a double-agent serving a higher authority (mum), but the kind where he rings your boss at work to inform him to keep all sharp objects out of reach because your team just lost the League Cup to a club facing relegation.

The stakes intensify when the dad-daughter duo support rival clubs. My Manchester United supporting father called me immediately after the news broke about van Persie signing to make sure I was not considering emancipation.

“That’s what bothered me more than anything, even if I wasn’t able to articulate it. Going to football was time I knew I’d get to spend with dad.” From a father’s point of view it is much the same, as Leo explains: “In theory, yes, the garden shed is always available for that sort of bad behaviour. It's hard in practice as she's only four and owns me completely and wholeheartedly. A cuddle and I'll forgive most things.”

There is a sense of passing down a grand tradition from generation to generation. It’s not just limited to handing the baton over, but there is the essence of sharing a legacy with each other. It is an exchange of knowledge and perspective as each generation embraces the same interest. While there is plenty of admiration available for women who take on football, the dads remain an unsung hero often in the shadows. As someone who dreads how different life would be had her dad not driven her to football practice, a heartfelt thank you to those dads who gave us the gift of the beautiful game.

Hayley says it would be different if she and her father supported different clubs: “When I was younger, I missed my dad a lot when he was working.

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ULTIMATE 5-A-SIDE

Chris believes Arsenal and England star Jordan Nobbs would have what it takes to mix it with the very best at a game of good old 5a-side football…

CHRIS SCOTT PICKS HIS DREAM WORLD CUP 5-A-SIDE LINE UP Remember the 2002 men’s World Cup? We do. Not the bit where Ronaldinho broke English hearts. Not the part where Ronaldo made up for the sad end to his 1998 tournament. Not even the moment when Ahn Jung-Hwan knocked Italy out deep in extra time. No, the bit we really remember is the pretournament Nike Cage advert. A 3-a-side, knockout, no-holdsbarred, skill-wins-all advertising monster, all played to a soundtrack of Elvis Presley for the post-millennial dance music generation and fronted by Eric Cantona. Incredible!

There isn’t a football fan in the world who hasn’t wondered what their dream reduced-numbers combination might be and we’re no different. So, with the world’s best players coming together, we thought we’d come up with the official (OK, not official... totally subjective, actually) greatest 5-a-side team of the World Cup. Somebody get Nike on the phone, we’ve got an advertising pitch for them.

LOUISA NÉCIB NADINE ANGERER

ANOUK HOOGENDIJK

ALEX MORGAN JORDAN NOBBS

52 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

MF: Louisa Nécib - FRANCE

THE CHOSEN FIVE

Nadine ANGERER Anouk HOOGENDIJK Louisa NÉCIB Jordan NOBBS Alex MORGAN

We were going to try to ignore ‘The Z Word’ here, but there is absolutely no way to discuss Louisa Nécib without referring to her moniker, ‘the female Zidane’. Frankly, though, maybe we should be talking about ‘the male Nécib’, as this half of our midfield boasts more international caps and more international goals than Zizou, despite being six years younger than he was when he retired. Never been sent off for headbutting an Italian, either. Bringing a golden touch, a degree of vision unmatched by any other modern GK: Nadine Angerer - GERMANY footballer and a rarely seen mastery of the ball, the 28-year-old isn’t just the dream 5-a-side player; she might just be the closest to a perfect footballer the Goalkeeper may be a thankless position in 5-a-side, but if any player in world football can make it seem a game has right now. palatable option, Germany’s Nadine Angerer can. While she may be reaching the conclusion of a near MF: Jordan Nobbs - ENGLAND 20-year international career, Angerer’s trademark reactions, command of the penalty area and supreme It can’t all be silky skills and feather touch in 5-a-side, shot-stopping ability remain unbowed. Yes, she’ll be though heaven knows Jordan Nobbs has both of almost 37 by the conclusion of this World Cup, but those attributes. Sometimes it’s about blood and the 2013 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year remains thunder, crunching tackles and a willingness to do the peerless in world football. A no-brainer. uncelebrated jobs in the middle of the park. Guess what? She’s got all that too. Indeed, in spite of her DF: Anouk Hoogendijk - NETHERLANDS diminutive frame, the 22-year-old is about as close to an all-action midfielder as the modern game gets and her fearlessness and tenacity are more than matched Any great 5-a-side team needs a defender who will happily blend the uncompromising with the creative: by her reading of the game. Expect goals, perpetual motion, fierce combativeness and constant drive as willing to step in to cut out the quick ball played from the centre of the field. down the channel, as stepping into a fleet-footed striker in full flow. Step forward Anouk Hoogendijk, familiar on UK shores from a successful spell at Bristol FW: Alex Morgan - USA Academy WFC in 2011 and (admittedly less so) with Arsenal in 2014. As comfortable in central defence as In a game blessed with natural finishers, Alex Morgan at the base of the midfield, the 30-year-old’s pace, is set to be one of the greats. Instinctive, direct and passing and reading of the game gives our side a solid ruthless, Morgan’s incredible international platform to build on, while the lack of long-ball goalscoring return belies her ability to play the attacking helps to mitigate against any aerial creative role too, as demonstrated in her status as threat posed by her relative lack one of only two USA internationals of physical stature. to both score and set-up 20 goals in a calendar year - a record shared with 3 Mia Hamm. © Tom’s Football Travels, Emile de Brouwer, The FA via Getty Images, Ampatent and Ailura

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FAYE WHITE’S WORLD CUP DIARY THE FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN TALKS US THROUGH HER WORLD CUP JOURNEY

2007 WORLD CUP China was exciting, certainly. We’d been working for many years to get to that point, but you have that sense of anticipation, not knowing what’s to come and how you’re going to handle everything. The closer it gets you just want it to come around, to get in the squad and make sure injuries don’t hamper the team so we can give a good account of ourselves. During the tournament it’s just a whirlwind. So much happens: from moving locations, to different climates. China was so difficult to acclimatise to with the weather and time differences. You don’t realise these things until you’ve done it once, you just feel like you’re in a bubble.

we’d got to the quarters in 2007 and we wanted to do better. We had so much strength in our depth of squad; it kept you on your toes because you didn’t know what the team would be. During a tournament, if things don’t go your way you need to be able to quickly change and focus on the next hurdle, rather than dwell on what’s gone. It was strange though; we’d improved and we were minutes from going through to the semifinals. It’s the little things, you need a bit of fortune, but for a lot of the quarter-final against France we had that. They were the better team, we had players struggling on the pitch with injuries but we just couldn’t hang on. Things happen so quickly during a game, you just have to learn from it.

As an experience, it was amazing. We went into it still wanting to get to the level of the top teams, so it was about giving a good account of ourselves. When it was over I After that game against France in 2011, it was think we could look back and say really tough for everyone. It wasn’t really the right we achieved that. time for any big announcements - once you’re out of a major tournament, you have to let everyone process it and deal with your own emotions too. As it turned out that was my last game for England. You just have to take the positives and You definitely learn all the make sure things improve next time. time, especially when you’ve done it before.

RETIREMENT

2011 WORLD CUP

2015 WORLD CUP BUILD-UP

The media attention was a bit higher, so we wanted to show we were a force to be reckoned with. The expectation built in 2011,

54 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

England’s qualification for Canada 2015 shows the development is there and the planning is working. Qualification has changed; there are more teams now, which make it easier, whereas when I played, it seemed to get harder every tournament!

The pools of players were growing but Europe got less spots, now it’s very different. But it just shows how much better England has become. It might have hampered Mark a little, he’s had to arrange friendlies to really test the team but I think they’ll be ready. You can’t take any team for granted now; maybe 10 years ago it was a little different. We had Argentina in 2007 and beat them 6-1 - we knew we just had to do the job. But in 2011, Mexico got a draw against us. All the teams are getting stronger, not just the teams at the top. Getting to a major tournament is a product of years of hard work. So much goes into it; it’s about adding, building and improving to ensure a strong future. All the players in the squad now have experience of tournaments in their early twenties; I was 28 at my first World Cup!

Faye was captain in 2011, but she believes the side are in good hands going into 2015

e toughest I Birgit Prinz was th ach too. Those faced, Abby Wamb d out, two definitely stan y nose back in Wambach broke m 2007!

The players will be going in thinking they can go all the way, you have to take that approach. We’ve beaten Sweden lately, but we’re still to overcome the Germany hurdle. It’s about believing you can do it and we didn’t quite have that when I was in the team. The only way you can get that belief is by going out there and getting those wins.

extra media commitments and things like that. There’s certainly a lot more to contend with.

NEW CAPTAIN I spoke to Steph Houghton when she was announced as captain. In that role you are projected on to a different level; you have to know how to deal with that. Her character will decide how she deals with different things in Canada but nothing can really prepare you for your first tournament as captain.

TOUGHEST OPPONEN

But, she’s a bubbly girl and she’s got the captaincy quite young. She’s got a good character and I think she’s got the shoulders to carry such a responsibility. But, I’m close with her so she knows she can call me!

You have to react to every situation in a suitable way, you don’t know what is going to happen and it would be natural for her to put more pressure on herself. I did that a bit more than I should have done. You have to be in meetings, have

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CANADA 2015 I think you have to look at Germany. They were wounded in 2011 when they had the pressure of hosting; they had a young team at the Euro’s in 2013, but they know how to win. That’s one thing I wish I could bottle.

INFLUENTIAL FIGURES EMMA WHITNEY LOOKS AT FOOTBALL’S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN

5 Heather Rabbatts Born in Jamaica, Rabbatts moved to England aged three and became the youngest ever local authority leader in 1995, as Chief Executive of Lambeth Council. By May 2006, Rabbatts was the new Executive Deputy Chair of Millwall F.C. - a club not without its controversies. In the eyes of many fans, Rabbatts’ appointment was crucial; at the time, the land around Millwall was wanted by property developers, generating a lot of unhelpful interest in the club. Rabbatts helped get Millwall back on the straight and narrow financially and also brought in the investment of the Lions’ current owner, John Berylson. Rabbatts is now the Football Association’s first female board member, and has spoke publicly about sexual and racial discrimination in football. A former governor of the BBC, Rabbatts is on the British Council board of directors and is a governor of the London School of Economics. That such a remarkable woman has turned her talents to football is fantastic. As the only female and the only person from a black minority ethnic background currently on The FA Board, Rabbatts is helping to ensure that the FA continue with their work on inclusion and diversity, all the while proving just how successful women can be, right at the heart of the football industry.

4 Moya Dodd and Lydia Nsekera Practising lawyer Dodd, who gained 12 caps playing for Australia, was elected Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation in 2009. In 2013, she went up against Nsekera - plus President of the Turks & Caicos Islands’ FA, Sonia Bien-Aime, in the race to be FIFA’s first female executive. Nsekera, the former President of Burundi’s Football Association, and an International Olympic Committee member, was ultimately victorious - though Dodd and Bien-Aime sat on FIFA’s Board for a year. These women have been crucial in leading the way for female participation in global football administration. FIFA has a chequered past when it comes to women in football - just Google Sepp Blatter’s comments when Nsekera was elected - but, they are now doing much more to back women involved in the game. Dodd told The Guardian, “I would like to see the sport get to a stage where it is unremarkable to be a female in football.” With more trailblazers like herself and Nsekera, more progress will be made.

56 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

3 Marta Born in Brazil in 1986, Marta Vieira da Silva is a global superstar. Currently playing for Swedish side FC Rosengård, the forward lives up to the stereotype of the flamboyant South American footballer. One of her greatest moments on the pitch occurred during Brazil’s 4-0 humbling of the USA, in their World Cup semifinal in China in 2007. The way Marta flicked the ball past unfortunate defender Tina Ellertson, then turned the other way to run past her opponent, was magical; to beat another defender and go on and score afterwards marked her rise as a Ballon d’Or winner. It was in Sweden that Marta first made her name, spending four successful seasons at Umeå IK and scoring an incredible 111 goals in 103 appearances. With 79 goals in 91 games for her country, Marta will be looking to lead Brazil to World Cup glory in Canada this summer. Given the difficulties women often face trying to play in South America, plus her abundant talent, it’s no wonder Marta won the FIFA World Player of the Year five times in a row from 2006 to 2010. We need the next generation of girls to take motivation from Marta and try and emulate her achievements.

2 Anna Kessel For several years, Kessel has written about all manner of sports for The Observer and The Guardian, focussing in particular on women’s sport, inclusivity in sport and of course, women’s football. She cofounded the Women in Football networking group, along with Shelley Alexander, back in 2007. Since then, WiF has been raising awareness of the everyday challenges faced by women working in the industry. Recent stories, such as the abuse given to Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro, were highlighted by WiF and the group is determined to act when it thinks women are being discriminated against. She also sits on the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation women's sport network advisory board. Anna grew up in a council flat in Camden, North London, and studied English literature at Cambridge. As well as the sexist chanting incident WiF have broken new ground in being the first organisation to send information to stewards at every football league club, advising how to spot and deal with sexist abuse from football fans at a game.

1 Pia Sundhage A former forward and midfielder, Sundhage played for a host of club sides in her home country of Sweden, including Jitex and Hammarby, plus Lazio in Italy. She has recently sent speculation into overdrive regarding whether or not she will renew her contract as head coach of the Swedish women’s national team, a side ranked fifth in the world. Sweden have never won a World Cup, and Canada 2015 represents a solid chance for Sundhage - who won 146 caps for her country, scoring 71 goals in the process - to put that right. She has managed a total of ten teams, achieving her best results with the USA, guiding them to three Algarve Cups, two Olympic gold medals and the final of the 2011 Women’s World Cup. An indication of how widely respected Sundhage is in Sweden are the calls for her to take over as manager of the men’s side. Even if Canada 2015 proves to be her swansong with Sweden, it is unlikely to be the last we hear of her.

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ENGLAND’S GROUP GIRLS ON THE BALL ANALYSE FRANCE, COLOMBIA AND MEXICO England take their place in Group F alongside France, Colombia and Mexico. With the first sure to be their toughest test, on paper the Lionesses should at least be set to make it through the group stages. They will face France and Mexico first in Moncton, before heading to Montreal for their third game against the Colombians. Here is a brief look at their opponents...

GET TO KNOW ENGLAND’S RIVALS FRANCE FIFA RANKING: 3 COACH: PHILIPPE BERGEROO CAPTAIN: WENDIE RENARD MOST CAPS: SANDRINE SOUBEYRAND (198) MOST GOALS: MARINETTE PICHON (81)

COLOMBIA FIFA RANKING: 28 COACH: FABIAN TABORDA CAPTAIN: DIANA OSPINA MOST CAPS: CARMEN RODALLEGA (42) MOST GOALS: CATALINA USME (15)

MEXICO

FRANCE Without doubt England’s bogey team, the pair once again find themselves sharing a group. Les Bleues blitzed their way through qualifying, putting 54 goals past their opponents. Under Philippe Bergeroo’s guidance, the side has climbed to third in the world and are one of the most consistent teams in Europe. This is their third appearance at a World Cup and they will be one of the favourites to end up with the title after a fourth-placed finish in 2011. If there’s one thing that can be called into question though, it is their mentality, which has often faltered in the knockout stages of tournaments. Led by defensive stalwart Wendie Renard, they possess huge experience from back to front with six of their current squad possessing over 100 caps. With so much talent, it is hard to pick out one player but Marie-Laure Delie definitely stands out from the crowd. With 85 caps and 57 goals for her country, the 27-year-old is one of the hottest players in the world at the moment and will be looking to make her mark this summer.

FIFA RANKING: 25 COACH: LEONARDO CUÉLLAR CAPTAIN: MARIBEL DOMÍNGUEZ MOST CAPS: JUANA LOPEZ (105) MOST GOALS: MARIBEL DOMÍNGUEZ (70)

58 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Youngster Yóreli Rincon will hope to be this summer’s James Rodriguez.

COLOMBIA Las Cafeteras (literally “The Coffee”) are currently ranked 28th and are beginning to make a name for themselves on the world stage. This summer will be their second appearance in a World Cup: they went out after the group stages in 2011. Fabian Felipe Taborda took over as coach only a few months prior to qualifying in 2014. Having been promoted from managing the U17s, he immediately led Colombia to qualification for both this summer’s World Cup and for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Colombia’s player to watch is 21-year-old midfielder, Yóreli Rincon. After stints in the Damallsvenskan with Malmö and in the W-League with the New Jersey Wildcats, she joined Italian side Torres earlier this year. She shone at last year’s Copa America Femenina, scoring three goals to help lead her country to qualification.

22-year-old Nayeli Rangel plays in the NWSL in the USA.

MEXICO Mexico must surely be close to the record of having one of the longest serving managers. Leonardo Cuéllar, a former midfielder with 41 caps for his country, became Las Tri’s first official coach in 1998. The Mexicans are currently ranked 25th in the world and have made two previous appearances in the 1991 and 2011 World Cups. Both times, they failed to make it past the group stages, despite earning a respectable 1-1 draw with England in Germany. In 2014, they secured third place in the CONCACAF Cup, ensuring their qualification to this summer’s competition. There are a few recognisable names in the Mexico squad, with several featuring in the National Women’s Soccer League. Their number one, Cecilia Santiago, became the youngest goalkeeper to appear in a World Cup tournament, taking to the field against England in 2011 at the age of 16. One to watch is attacking midfielder, Veronica Perez. Currently at Washington Spirit, she has previously played for Western New York Flash and Seattle Sounders, where she notched up 12 goals in the 2012 season.

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THE OFFSIDE RULE HAYLEY MCQUEEN EXPLAINS HOW THE OFFSIDE RULE (WE GET IT!) BEGAN Where did the idea for The Offside Rule (We Get It!) come from? About three seasons ago, Kait Borsay and Lynsey Hooper, both sports broadcasters, decided to set it up. They used guests to fill the third slot – often I was one of them. Before we knew it, I was a regular and we had a good thing going. It was born out of being bored of listening to middle-aged men talking about football. Good as they are, we wanted to capture a different side of the beautiful game. What have been the highlights since? The fact that a 30-minute podcast has turned into something so big, to see it grow and to see others get enthusiastic about it. Audioboom, who host the podcast, has been amazing in helping promote us. We are on iTunes too and have a website with great contributors. There’s also been a blossoming friendship between Kait, Lynsey and I. I think the daft fun we have as friends comes across and we’re not afraid to rib each other too - all of which is captured on the podcast. Why does it work so well in the market? It’s different - no-one else is doing it and it’s fun to listen to. It’s a conversation, not a lecture from the serious to the bizarre! Is it difficult finding a time to record? We somehow manage. We’ve recorded all over town from each others’ homes in our tracksuit bottoms to borrowing a space at talkSPORT. Nearly every week one of us is in a fluster, but we’ve all been there. You've had plenty of guests on - any favourites? The football journalist and author Amy Lawrence was great. Jose Mourinho did an interview with us when Sir Alex Ferguson retired and we had a live pubcast with Ray Parlour, which was brilliant fun. Casey Stoney co-hosted an episode shortly after speaking openly about being gay for the first time, I loved her upfront honesty across all manner of subjects. What exciting plans for the future can listeners expect? We have Continental Tyres on board and we’ve just filmed a podcast at Loftus Road, which was pretty cool. It was baking hot, the sprinklers were on and we were having a laugh discussing the title race pitch-side in the very ground at which Chelsea had picked up their latest three points just 48 hours before. We’re women who talk football - both men’s and women’s - so we’re a bit different to other set ups. We’ve been approached a few times about doing something visual and working with an international audience – we’ve always got something new on the go! © Chelsea White

60 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

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62 The Offside Ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road to Canada

TAKING INSPIRATION REBECCA COLES SAYS ENGLAND CAN TAKE HEART FROM OTHER FEMALE SUCCESS STORIES Women’s sport has come a long way in recent years - and now it’s time for the England Women’s football team to take that extra step: replicating the success of their fellow sportswomen in cricket and rugby by winning the World Cup in Canada. The women’s football team has a better FIFA ranking, has won more trophies and recently sold more tickets for an international friendly than the men’s team. Instead of looking to the men’s most recent World Cup in Brazil last year they can instead take inspiration from England women’s Ashes victory and their rugby counterparts’ World Cup win. The England cricket team kicked off the success back in 2013 when they won the Women’s Ashes on home soil, then retained them in Australia the following year with victory in the first Twenty20 international. Skipper Charlotte Edwards guided her team with expert leadership, restoring pride back into English cricket. In 2014, England won the Women’s Rugby World Cup, creating heroines throughout the team. After a thumping semi-final victory over Ireland, the inspirational Emily Scarratt scored 16 points in the final as England rampaged to a 21-9 win over Canada. The Canadians showed little sign of giving up, but England were crowned worthy winners with a classy display. When it came to the crunch, key team members like Scarratt, captain Katy Mclean, Sarah Hunter and Danielle Waterman didn’t disappoint.

GB and Northern Ireland athletics squad. Women’s football, cricket and rugby are some of the fastest growing team sports in the country. The Lionesses will be able to build on their own reputation this summer, as other sports inspire more females to join. If the girls can crack the code in Canada it will well and truly lift women’s sport as a whole. Ahead of the tournament, which starts on 4 June, England stepped up preparations with a 1-0 win against the Canadians in their Cyprus Cup triumph, thanks to Lianne Sanderson's 68th minute strike, followed by a 2-1 victory over China in their final home friendly. The team is looking strong, captain Steph Houghton and goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain are playing well, and super strikers Sanderson, Eniola Aluko and Jodie Taylor scored seven goals between them in their last tournament. Toni Duggan has had a hard slog back to fitness. She’ll be desperate to increase her international goal tally. There is a buzz around the camp and this year could prove to be their time. England should rise to the occasion without fear, trying to emulate the success of other female sports. The excitement of performing in a major tournament should inspire them to make as many great memories as the teams before them.

If both women’s rugby and cricket sides can create Later in the year, the Red Roses won the Team of their own piece of sporting history, there is no the Year award at both the BBC Sports Personality doubt the Lionesses can do the same. and the Sports Women of the Year Awards. At SPOTY they took the honour ahead of Europe's Ryder Cup golfers, the Mercedes F1 team and the

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HOW JAPAN CONQUERED SHINOBU OHNO AND YUKARI KINGA RECALL 2011 SHOCK On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Japan. It was the most powerful earthquake to ever hit the country and the fourth biggest in the entire world since 1900. The subsequent tsunami caused widespread devastation in Japan’s northern islands, killing thousands.

YK: It is important to understand the strengths, weaknesses and characteristics of other countries, we worked on that. SO: Also, until the very end, you always have to believe in your teammates and the staff, we did that.

Less than four months later, the Japan Women’s national team shocked the world by beating USA in the World Cup final in Germany. Thousands of people back home stayed up late into the night to watch the drama unfold, and the emotions on the faces of the players told the story. Highlights were played continuously throughout the day for those who had missed it, whilst newspapers immediately released special edition copies to celebrate the triumph.

YK: No doubt that it will be just as difficult. I think it’s important to just take things step-by-step, one game at a time and see what happens.

Former Arsenal duo Shinobu Ohno and Yukari Kinga reflect on the tournament and what it meant to their country...

YK: I have found both strong points and weak points in my game since playing in England, but I think I found strong points and weak points in other players too, which may help this year. But I think women’s football in England has really grown.

Was the World Cup victory 2011 a shock to you or do you believe it was a case of other nations simply underestimating Japan?

In perhaps the most competitive World Cup ever, do you believe you can successfully defend your title?

SO: The most important thing is to forget that we are defending our title and approach it as though we are fighting our challengers again. How much do you feel playing in England and the FA Women’s Super League has made you better players since the last tournament?

SO: It was just the experience abroad for me. I think it became a really good YK: I think the earthquake that happened not long thing for me, not just on before the tournament really motivated the whole the pitch but for me as a country. It couldn’t be predicted, we were really pleased person, it was a great for the Japanese people that we were able to win the experience to play for World Cup so soon after that event. Arsenal. SO: We’d had great support before the tournament because of what had happened but the result was what surprised people most. The victory was a result of our own work. What was the key to your performances as a team that allowed you to overcome the likes of Germany, Sweden and France?

64 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

CHRISTIE RAMPONE RICH LAVERTY TALKS TO USA’S LEGENDARY DEFENDER In women’s football, Christie Rampone is a legend. A word used far too much but genuinely at home next to the defender’s name. At 39, Rampone has amassed over 300 caps for her country, she has played in four Olympic games and is now embarking on her fifth, and last, World Cup, We spoke to her ahead of her final challenge...

You’re the most experienced member of the squad, captaining your country in your last World Cup. Just what would it mean to lift the trophy?

You’re in a group alongside a strong Sweden side, as well as Australia and Nigeria. How do you view the group and how do you prepare for the different challenges each will bring?

For the USA to succeed in Canada, who are the key players in the team?

To win my second World Cup would be amazing. It would be even more special knowing that other countries have evolved. We have an opportunity to show the world that while other countries are making strides, we are still one of the best teams in the world.

Lauren Holiday who plays centre midfield and has been a force for our team over the last few years. Lauren sets It's obviously a strong group. I think it will help the teams the tempo. We have a lot of quality, technical players. that advance, as all three matches will be highly Our team needs to find a rhythm and capitalise on competitive. You prepare one game at a time. Each team individual opportunities when they present themselves. presents different strengths and weaknesses. Most Working together and creating numbers-up scenarios will importantly, we need to focus on our strengths while give us a chance to win the World Cup. being mindful of what makes our opponent successful. Even for a player as experienced as yourself, what lessons did you take from the 2011 final and do you think as a squad you are better prepared in 2015?

Finally, should you come up against England this summer; how do you view the team and players?

England has a good squad. Their new coach brings change and During 2011 we learned about perseverance and unpredictably which should believing. We need to stay committed to one another on help them. They have a good the field. It takes an entire squad of players all being on mix of athletic and very the same page. We have put in a tremendous amount of organised footballers. time and training leading up to this World Cup. A lot of England has what it takes effort has been put forth; it's no secret we want to win. to make a run at the final. It’s an incredibly experienced squad, with a lot of players who have over 100 caps and several who have over 200 and 300. Do you think that’s a big help to the team? Yes and no. Teams and organisations can embrace older, experienced players. The game continues to grow so new, younger talent along with caps should be a good mix. Player's hopefully embrace their role. No distractions, togetherness will be critical. © ISI Photos

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

AUSSIES ARE READY MICHELLE HEYMAN BELIEVES AUSTRALIA HAVE WHAT IT TAKES She doesn’t class herself as a key player for her team, but Michelle Heyman has all the attributes to help Australia beat the big guns in Canada this summer. Her goalscoring record at club level is impressive and she is part of a young and talented side. She spoke to us about how Australia are preparing for Canada 2015...

You’re goalscoring record at club level is impressive; tell us a bit about how you view yourself as a player, your style of play? I just love to score goals. It’s what I dream about when I go to bed. I have spent a lot of extra hours standing in front of the goal and watching the ball hit the back of the net. Most people call me a poacher, because I'm always in the right place at the right time. I play as a number nine, I’m strong, fast and have the ability to find the back of the net.

You’re in a group alongside two really strong teams in the USA and Sweden. How confident are you of getting through the group and what is your preparation like as Tell us about the key players in the team. We’ve been a team? hearing good things about Caitlin Foord, who is somehow still only 20, despite winning FIFA World Cup Some like to call it the group of death, but we are Best Young Player in 2011! looking at it as Group D. We have had the best preparation for this World Cup, we were on a seven Caitlin is definitely one of our key players, but I would week tour and that has only made us stronger. I'm also mention Stephanie Catley and Lisa De Vanna. confident that our matches against USA and Sweden will be exciting, tough and physical. I'm confident in where Finally, should you come up against England this our team is and what we can do. Like all Australian summer; how do you view our team and our players? teams, we love to be the underdog! England play a different kind of Sweden knocked you out in 2011, how better prepared football to us, but they are a very do you feel the team are in 2015? strong side. We lost 3-0 to England in the Cyprus Cup, we We have watched hours of their games, we know their couldn't find away to break strengths and weaknesses. We are very prepared for this down their defence. But now we World Cup. know, so I think it would be an aggressive and close Alen Stajcic is in charge now, how has he changed match. things and how have you found working under him? Alen is a great coach and gets the best out of each of his players. He has been working in women’s football in Australia for 10 to 15 years. He has watched us all grow up playing football; he is the one person who really knows all of his players. He knows more about my football than me!

66 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

ALL BLACKS TO POUNCE CAPTAIN ABBY ERCEG WANTS TO SEE HER COUNTRY SHINE IN 2015 At just 25-years-old, Abby Erceg has already hit the century mark for her country. Born at the very tip of New Zealand, Erceg’s talent was evident early on, she was in the squad for the 2007 tournament as a 17-year-old and will this year captain her country in Canada. We spoke to her about her hopes for the World Cup…

I have been fortunate to captain my country and attain many caps at such a young age. I think that has built up my confidence significantly. I like to get on the ball and play and get as many touches as I can, which is unusual for a defender in the central position. I think a lot of my strengths lie in my in possession game. Who are the key players in the team for New Zealand to succeed in Canada?

You’re in a group alongside the hosts of the tournament and your old national team coach. How confident are you of getting through the group and what is your preparation like as a team?

The good thing about our team is that we don't rely on just two or three players to perform in order for us to get results. We understand that not everyone can be on it all the time as well, so in order for us to do well, the majority of the team needs to perform, not just one or We are relatively confident as a team that we will get out two. We have a couple of key positions, whoever is in of our group. We have the advantage of having played those spaces needs to do well, such as the holding everyone in our group before and getting results against midfielder and the attacking midfielder, along with our them. I think the fact that our old coach is in our group is goalkeeper. Everyone relies on each other which I think is neither here nor there. At the end of the day, we play just another aspect of our team that is unique. against the team he coaches, not against him, and I'm sure we'll all be friends again at the end of it all! Finally, should you come up against England this summer; how The last tournament didn’t go too well for New Zealand, do you view our team and our how far have you come as a team since 2011? players? In our last tournament we were still a relatively young team and we were sitting outside the FIFA top 20. We have significantly improved in four years and taken great strides forward with our game. I think we will be an exciting team to watch. Tony Readings took over in 2012, how has he changed things and how have you found working under him? Tony has been great, he added a new and fresh perspective, which was what we needed, I think. He encourages mistakes in training and boosts the confidence of the players; working with him has been a breeze. I hope we can show him how much we have appreciated his hard efforts with good results. You’re New Zealand’s captain, as well as their most capped player; tell us a bit about how you view yourself as a player, your style of play?

England is a quality side. Our best results against them have been draws and we have never managed to come away with a clean win. The players are tidy and they're good at shifting the ball. We haven't played them since the London Olympics, so the match up three years later would be interesting!

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

FOOTBALL GENES TOM SIMMONDS LOOKS AT THE PLAYERS WHO WERE ALWAYS DESTINED TO SUCCEED The idea that footballing talent is inherent, something that people are either ‘born with’ or not, is one that has obsessed journalists and supporters for time immemorial. We can all reel off lists of male players whose fathers and brothers have also forged careers as professional footballers. The Charlton brothers and van der Kerkhof twins are strongly woven into the men’s World Cup’s rich tapestry. What is not so well documented, is there are plenty of female players who come from fantastic sporting stock too and, in one case, she has raised a dynasty in her own image. Here are a few examples of female footballers, most of whom will be gracing the World Cup, with football in their genes.

Carine Hazard Few Premier League players are discussed more than Eden Hazard. His performances for Chelsea have culminated in making him the 2015 PFA Player’s Player of the Year. What is not widely known about Eden is that he and his brothers, Thorgan (on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach from Chelsea) and Kylian (of Zulte Waregem in Belgium), have a mother with her own share of sporting prowess. Carine Hazard was a fine player herself.

Thorgan arrived in 1993 and Kylian in 1995. Another Hazard brother, 10-year-old Ethan, is also thought to be a great prospect. What is already certain is that the Hazards are already a formidable footballing dynasty, and Carine is its matriarch.

Natasha Dowie With her shock of blonde hair set against the red of her Liverpool shirt, or complimenting the white of England, Natasha Dowie is one of the most recognisable players in the English women’s game. Her surname gives a clue to her heritage; her dad, Bob Dowie, was a stalwart non-league player in the 1980s. Her uncle Iain played at the highest level of the men’s game, representing Northern Ireland 59 times and playing in the top flight for Luton, West Ham, Southampton and Crystal Palace from 1988-1995.

As a prolific striker, Natasha has clearly inherited her uncle’s goalscoring knack, though she is a player with more finesse than a man characterised and used largely as a battering ram in his playing days. Natasha isn’t on the plane to Canada, but her international goal haul currently stands at five in 12 appearances. As a player who also scored the extra-time winner for Everton Ladies in the 2010 Carine, who Eden has admitted he takes after far FA Cup final, she has also proven herself as one more as a player than his central defender father, for the big occasion and will surely return to the played as a striker for the Hazard family’s local squad sooner rather than later. municipality, Manage, only retiring when she was three months pregnant with Eden in 1990!

68 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Eniola Aluko Dowie is not the only England forward who has a famous sporting relative. Eniola ‘Eni’ Aluko of Chelsea Ladies, who possesses a first class degree in law from Brunel University, is the brother of Hull City forward Sone Aluko. Sone, two years Eniola’s junior, has played in Old Firm derbies for Rangers and the 2013/14 FA Cup final for Hull. One of the most prominent players in the English women’s game, Eniola’s 84 caps and 26 goals for the Lionesses mean that her experience and prowess will be vital to any chances of English success in Canada.

Christine Sinclair The hosts have a player who benefits from a storied heritage and enjoys a career at the very top of the women’s game. Canada’s captain, Christine Sinclair, is one of the most famous sportspeople in Canada and has an eye-watering list of achievements in the game. Sinclair is the niece of brothers Brian and Bruce Gant, who both played in the star-crossed North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 80s, with Brian also playing 15 times for the Canadian national side between 1973-1981. Sinclair’s achievements are outstanding by anybody’s standards. Her current goal tally stands at 152 from 218 caps, which puts her behind only Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach in the list of all-time female international goalscorers. She owns an Olympic bronze medal, won at London 2012, and goes into her fourth World Cup looking to exploit home advantage so she can carry off the biggest prize of all.

Emily van Egmond Australia will also be represented at the tournament, and their midfielder Emily van Egmond is a chip off the old block. Her father Gary is a former Socceroos international defender who managed Newcastle Jets to the A-League title in 2007-08. Emily started to kick a ball at the age of five. At just 21, she has already led the Matildas out as captain. While Emily is currently playing in the W-League for Newcastle, she has had two spells in America, with Chicago Red Stars and Seattle Reign. She is sure to enjoy a long career on the biggest domestic stage, given the formidable experience she has acquired at such a tender age.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

5 STARS TO WATCH CHRIS SCOTT REVIEWS 2015’S POTENTIAL SUPER STARS We all know the best thing about the World Cup. And no, it’s not the so near, yet so far feelings of every England fan. The best thing about a World Cup is finding the player whose reputation is about to be cemented once and for all, who takes a tournament by the scruff of the neck and lights up the global stage with a mix of feckless abandon and breath-taking devil-may-care freedom. Every tournament has one player who causes fans across the world to sit up and take notice. In 2011, it was a tournament of legends; with 30-somethings Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach and the 28year-old Hope Solo. This year feels a little more youthful. We’ve picked out a handful of the brightest prospects to keep an eye on.

Francesca KIRBY (21) Striker Reading FC / England | 8 caps 2 goals

England’s next bright young thing would surely not even have been in the reckoning for Canada 18 months ago. Another jaw-dropping season with Reading, bringing 24 goals (almost double her nearest challenger), a goalscoring international debut against Sweden and a burgeoning reputation that may yet push her into the tournament starting line-up, mean Fran Kirby is one to watch. Skilful, pacey and with an unerring eye for goal, Mark Sampson has thrown her into the World Cup furnace...sparks could fly.

Dzsenifer MAROZSÁN (23) Midfielder FFC Frankfurt / Germany | 47 caps 23 goals

It’s difficult to believe Dzsenifer Marozsán is still only 23, the Hungarianborn Germany midfield dynamo having made her international debut a full five years ago. Not just a great goalscorer – she has an astonishing near one in two record from midfield – but a scorer of decisive goals, Marozsán has struck decisively on no fewer than 12 occasions for her adopted country. A vital cog in a fearsome German machine, this could be the moment for Marozsán to stamp her mark on world football.

DID YOU KNOW?!

Dzsenifer Marozsán is the youngest ever footballer to play in the Bundesliga (14 years, 7 months)

70 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

Emily VAN EGMOND (21) Midfielder Newcastle Jets / Australia | 32 caps 7 goals

A goalscoring veteran of the 2011 World Cup despite her tender age, Emily van Egmond is one of Australian football’s brightest stars. Her goal against Equatorial Guinea at the last tournament made her Australia’s youngest World Cup goalscorer. Having made her international debut as a 16-year-old, van Egmond’s familiarity with the international scene will ensure she isn’t overawed as Australia face tough group stage opposition from the USA, Sweden and Nigeria.

Asisat OSHOALA (20) Striker Liverpool / Nigeria | 14 caps -

An increasingly familiar face for FA Women’s Super League fans following her transfer to Liverpool Ladies in January 2015, Asisat Oshoala has a reputation as one of the brightest global prospects in the women’s game - and for good reason. As the reigning African Women’s Footballer of the Year and the second highest goalscorer at the 2014 African Women’s Championship, Oshoala is already a talismanic figure for her country. Though progress from an incredibly tough group may be a surprise for Nigeria, if Oshoala hits the ground running, women’s football may find itself witnessing the coronation of a new global star.

Saki KUMAGAI (24) Defender Olympic Lyon / Japan 65 caps 0 goals

It almost seems unfair to credit a 65 cap World Cup winner as ‘one to watch’ but at just 24, Saki Kumagai’s best years are surely still ahead of her. An utterly uncompromising centrehalf, Kumagai’s talent belies her youth with a near unparalleled reading of the game and an ability to shut down the most threatening of forward lines. It would be no surprise to see Kumagai marshal a Japan side desperate to retain the trophy from 2011 to the latter stages of the tournament with minimal fuss.

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

72 The Offside Ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road to Canada

ROY LENDS HIS SUPPORT HARRIET DRUDGE ON ENGLAND UNITED AS ONE AND A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM ROY HODGSON An integrated approach to football seems to be the Another testament to how far the women’s game has theme of the moment – and it’s about time. What’s the come is the fact the senior England managers are now saying? The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. being invited to events together. (Thanks Aristotle.) In October 2014, both Sampson and Hodgson unveiled It is a concept that has been preached in a number of a new Football Foundation funded 3G pitch in Kent. situations across society for centuries and applied to Speaking at the event, the 32-year-old revealed how football teams across the world, from grassroots to the supportive Hodgson is of the women’s game: professional game, for decades. “Roy’s always wishing us the best and has let me know Now, clubs are taking this holistic approach, bringing clearly that his door is always open if I ever want some together first teams, reserve teams and women’s advice.” teams. And prior to England women’s historic match against Liverpool and Manchester City have been huge Germany at Wembley in November 2014, Hodgson advocates of a ‘one club’ mentality and although there urged fans to pack the home of football for the event: are other factors to their success, this philosophy can only help. “It’s great that we’ve been able to put this game on, especially against a nation like Germany who have Thanks in part also to St George’s Park, the national been world and European champions. teams are now enjoying similar unity. “They will enjoy going out at Wembley and we hope Mark Sampson’s office is next to Roy Hodgson’s at the there will be a big crowd for the game and people will training base of the country’s elite footballers and the turn up to watch them play.” former Bristol Academy manager has made no secret of his intentions to make the most of his fellow And pack it they did. An attendance of just over 45,000 England manager’s experience when he was appointed. meant the women eclipsed the men’s crowd of 40,181 for the 1-0 friendly win against Norway. And with any “That's certainly something I want to do because luck, the women’s team might just end up winning a he's a man who has fantastic knowledge of the few games at the World Cup in Canada, unlike their international and club game. male counterparts in Brazil last summer. “He's been around the game for such a long time, so if I can be involved with Roy at any stage it will be incredible for me and the team,” he told The Guardian in 2013.

Not that it’s a competition. After all, we’re talking unity here. Whole. Sum. Parts... And on that note, thanks to Roy Hodgson, who has given us this message for Mark and the England team. Roy Hodgson: "Good

luck to Mark, Marieanne and the team in Canada. I will be taking great interest in their progress this summer and I hope the World Cup proves successful for everyone involved."

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game

PREDICTIONS PANEL GILLIAN COULTHARD, JACQUI OATLEY AND MATT BEARD HAVE THEIR SAY

THE WINNER

THE SURPRISE TEAM

Jacqui Oatley: Germany Gillian Coulthard: Germany Matt Beard: France

Jacqui Oatley: USA (for not going as far as they should!) Gillian Coulthard: England Matt Beard: Nigeria

THE RUNNER-UP Jacqui Oatley: France Gillian Coulthard: USA Matt Beard: Germany

THIRD PLACE

THE GOLDEN BOOT Jacqui Oatley: Célia Šašić (Germany) Gillian Coulthard: Abby Wambach (USA) Matt Beard: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

Jacqui Oatley: Brazil Gillian Coulthard: Brazil Matt Beard: USA

74 The Offside Rule’s Road to Canada

THE YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH Jacqui Oatley: Claire Lavogez (France) Gillian Coulthard: Fran Kirby (England) Matt Beard: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

HOW FAR WILL ENGLAND GO? Jacqui Oatley: Quarter-Finals Gillian Coulthard: Quarter-Finals Matt Beard: If they win the group, quarter-finals.

THE OFFSIDE

TREBLE

Jen Offord The Offside Treble is a quick round-up of three stories, in this case, right from the heart of women’s football as the 2015 Women’s World Cup grows ever closer. Here we take a quick look at Fran Kirby’s ever-blossoming career, Kelly Smith’s retirement and the controversial decision to play all games on artificial surfaces!

Reading FC Women and England forward, Fran Kirby, became the first FA Women’s Super League 2 player since the league’s establishment to make an England squad last summer. An achievement made all the more remarkable given the fact she took two years out of the game, having quit football aged 17 following the death of her mother.

One face we won’t be seeing among the Lionesses is England stalwart Kelly Smith, who announced her retirement from the international game back in February. Smith, who continues to play at domestic level for Arsenal Ladies, scored a record 46 goals in her 117 England appearances, representing her country at two World Cups and four European Championships, as well as Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. At 36, it was becoming harder for Smith to compete against younger teammates for a place in the squad. So with almost 20 years’ service under her belt, of which the star said she felt “exceptionally proud and honoured”, Smith decided to end her international career on her own terms. Though not on the pitch, England boss Mark Sampson, remains confident Smith’s presence will be felt elsewhere in the tournament, commenting “she will be the biggest supporter of this team in the summer”.

Kirby returned to the sport two years later with support both from life-long team, Reading FC and her family, scoring a whopping 33 goals in her first season back. It was during this time Kirby says she got her “love back for the game” and knew she was ready to get back into football Finally, no World Cup would be complete without some and make her mum, a driving force in her early career, kind of techy dispute, be it silly string markers or ball proud. After all, it was her mum who “dragged” her to weight and this tournament is no exception. More than 40 training when she didn’t want to play with the big kids. players across 12 countries are taking legal action against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association for sexual Now the first fully professional player at Reading, Kirby discrimination on the grounds (no pun intended) that the hopes to steer the team into the top flight, which will matches will be played on artificial turf rather than grass, likely result in a selection to represent England at the like the men’s tournament. I’m no expert, but of the many World Cup. With 29 goals in 22 games last season - giving gripes a female footballer could have about inequality in Kirby a better game per goal ratio than last season’s top the game, this seems like a smaller fish to be so doggedly Premier League scorer, Luis Suarez - who are we to argue? frying. Germany’s Nadine Angerer is not having it though, saying such a pitch “totally changes the game”. Selection for the team means, according to Kirby, “a perfect year”, adding, “to be able to do what my mum dreamed of me doing… is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Proud Supporters of The Women’s Game