Right, that’s all for our live coverage. Here’s Suzanne Wrack’s report from Stadium MK.
Asked what impressed her most about England’s performance, Wiegman highlights the improvement from her attackers in the second half. “I think, first of all, that we played an opponent that played very deep, very compact” she says. “We expected them a little higher, though we expected them compact, so in the first half that was hard for us. The pitch didn’t help either, it was very hard to play on this pitch. But I think we did really well, especially in the second half, finding space a little better. In the first half we needed more numbers up front, more in their defensive line. I think we did that a lot better in the second half.”
Here’s a question to get a debate going. Thoughts?
What's your start XI for the World Cup?
— Suzy Wrack (@SuzyWrack) February 16, 2023
Mine *currently* is: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh, Toone; James, Russo, Kelly
Suzanne Wrack was impressed with James’s showing tonight. But, then again, who wasn’t?
Said this a long long time ago, but LJ is the most naturally/technically gifted England player since Kelly Smith.
— Suzy Wrack (@SuzyWrack) February 16, 2023
Williamson is signing autographs for young fans in the stands, as are several other England players. This evening’s attendance was 21,013.
21,013 here tonight for @Lionesses v @theKFA ✨
— Arnold Clark Cup (@ArnoldClarkCup) February 16, 2023
James is asked whether England can win the tournament for the second year running. “That’s what the aim is,” she says with a wry smile. “Hopefully we can win again but we just have to take each game as it comes.”
In her post-match interview with ITV, James is asked how it felt to score her first senior goal for England. “Lost for words,” she says. “Amazing feeling, something I’ve been working towards and I’m thankful today. Lucy gave me a little set up and I put it away … I’m loving it, I’ve grown into this team and everyone has made me feel welcome so, you know, now I can build on that with confidence.”
Full time, England 4-0 South Korea
It’s the perfect start to the Arnold Clark Cup for England, who have swept away their highest-ranked opponents. South Korea tried to sit deep and soak up the pressure but, ultimately, the Lionesses were unstoppable. They passed the ball at pace, interchanged nicely in attack and showed the flexibility and fluidity which their opponents markedly lacked. James was the star, but Wiegman will be pleased with the entire side.
90+2 min Hemp thunders forwards on the left but is denied by a sliding tackle from Kim Hye-ri. At the ensuing corner, Bronze has a shot cleared off the line by Jang.
88 min Off the post! South Korea go to pieces at the back and Kim Jung-mi spills the ball into Robinson’s path, but she hits the upright with the goal at her mercy.
87 min Robinson gets a low cross into the box from the right, but Kim Jung-mi gets down low to stop it finding the boot of an England teammate.
86 min Son and Hong Hye-ji come off for Chun Ga-ram and Jang Yu-bin.
84 min Kim Jung-mi is booked for timewasting. It says a lot about the game that South Korea are trying to run down the clock at 4-0 down.
82 min South Korea fail to clear another corner and the ball falls for Williamson, who shoots straight at Kim Jung-mi.
80 min James has more than done her bit and comes off for Katie Robinson. Player of the match, for sure.
GOAL! England 4-0 South Korea (James 78)
What was that about England’s pace dropping off? Toone drives forwards in midfield and plays in Bronze to her right. She is tackled but the ball falls kindly for James, who leaves the back of the net bulging. It’s the least she deserves after a top performance.
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75 min Coombs tries to flick a ball over the top, but South Korea defend it well. England’s pace has dropped off a little, whether because of the substitutions or simply because they’re so comfortable.
72 min Daly has a decent chance after getting in behind, but can’t quite tuck it away.
70 min England win a corner and Hemp’s delivery is cleared as far as James. She gets a shot off, but it’s deflected and ricochets harmlessly away.
68 min England make a rare mistake and gift Son a chance to shoot, but it’s high and wide.
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66 min Wiegman makes another substitution, Coombs coming on for Stanway. As a reminder, this will be her first appearance for the Lionesses in eight years.
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65 min Zelem is the latest England player to try her luck from distance, sending a shot bouncing just wide.
62 min England execute a clever corner routine to the letter and, having received the ball unmarked in the middle of the box, Stanway hits the crossbar! This could be a rout if South Korea aren’t careful. Wiegman makes a triple change, bringing off Kelly, Greenwood and Russo for Lauren Hemp, Niamh Charles and Rachel Daly respectively.
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61 min Kelly has a speculative shot from a tight angle, but it swishes wide of the far post.
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58 min A mix-up in South Korea’s box almost costs them another goal, but they just about manage to scramble the ball clear.
56 min South Korea’s free kick comes to nothing. England break via James, who is dragged back by Jang at the cost of a yellow card.
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55 min Stanway gives away a free kick in a dangerous position after catching Kim Yun-ji. The South Korea midfielder leaves the field almost immediately, making way for Park Ye-eun. It’s a double substitution from Bell, with Kang Chae-rim also departing. She is replaced by Shim Seo-yeon.
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52 min James breaks forwards once again but catches Lim Seon-joo across the ankles after the South Korea defender comes across and gets in front of her. The visitors get a free kick but it doesn’t relieve the pressure for long, Stanway going for goal from range only for Kim Jung-mi to make the save.
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GOAL! England 3-0 South Korea (Russo 50)
James gets to the byline and scoops a cross to the far post, but it’s a little overhit. Greenwood gathers out wide on the left and gets the ball back into the danger area. Russo is there to thrash in at the near post. That should do it.
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GOAL! England 2-0 South Korea (Kelly 46)
Well, that’s not a bad way to restart the game. Toone chases the ball out wide on the left and, after the visitors get in a defensive muddle, it breaks for Kelly. She drives forwards and has a crack from the edge of the area. The shot takes a wicked deflection and loops up into the back of the net.
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Second half kicks off
We’re back in action at Stadium MK. Can the Lionesses extend their lead, or will South Korea turn it around? There’s only one way to find out. In the meantime, Wiegman has made a half-time change with Carter swapping out for Katie Zelem.
James was, without doubt, the outstanding player for England in the first half. There weren’t many eye-catching performances from the visitors, though Choo was particularly impressive in defence and was one of their few outlets in attack.
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Half-time, England 1-0 South Korea
South Korea emerge blinking into the light after so long turtled up, but struggle to assert themselves before the half-time whistle goes. England have the game just where they want it, with the visitors now obliged to drop their ultra-defensive stance. There should be more space to attack in the second half, which can only benefit Wiegman’s side. The hosts have played some really nice attacking football and, if they sharpen up their finishing, they could win this handily.
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45 min There’ll be three minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Can England get another?
43 min A short-corner routine ends with Kelly taking a pot shot from just outside the area, but it’s far too close to the keeper.
GOAL! England 1-0 South Korea (Stanway 40 pen)
Stanway makes no mistake, thundering her spot kick well beyond Kim Jung-mi’s reach. England deservedly lead. South Korea have little choice but to come out of their shell. This game could get very interesting.
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Penalty to England!
James goes down after another lung-busting run ends with her being clipped across the ankles by Jang Sel-gi and England have a spot kick. Stanway will be the one to take it.
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37 min Off the inside of the post! James charges through and tees up Russo, who smashes the upright only for the ball to spin away off the line.
35 min England win the ball in midfield after an energetic team press. Bronze gets down the right and tries to play in James, but she’s dispossessed. Bronze wins a 50-50 with Lee Geum-min, but her opponent hurts herself in the process and there’s a break in play. Lee looks to have tweaked her shoulder and it’s unclear whether or not she’ll be able to carry on.
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32 min Jess Carter wins the ball fairly in a shoulder-to-shoulder with Son but, much to her frustration, it’s given as a foul. South Korea squander their free kick, allowing Earps to sweep up with ease.
31 min Millie Bright decides she’s had enough with niceties and takes a thumping shot from distance, but it hurtles wide.
30 min So close! England win a corner, Greenwood steps up and Stanway gets under it, but her header whistles just over the crossbar and nestles on the roof of the net.
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28 min Alex Greenwood comes forwards in support and almost gets in behind on the left, but Choo launches into an excellent tackle before winning a foul as the pair tussle for the loose ball.
25 min Another short, sharp passing move ends with Kelly taking a shot which skews well wide. England are moving the ball much faster than their opponents and continue to create overlaps despite South Korea’s massed defence.
22 min James makes a darting run past several defenders, bursting into the box before unleashing a shot. It takes a slight deflection which sucks the sting out of it, allowing Kim Jung-mi to get down low and make a bobbling save.
18 min While the visitors are keeping it compact, they look tactically static – almost frozen in place – while England, by contrast, look dynamic and aggressive. Bronze is the latest to get a shot away, but it rises over the crossbar.
17 min Close! Kelly tees up Lucy Bronze for a cross from deep, which falls for James at the far post. She can’t quite guide it home, however, leaving South Korea to breathe a sigh of relief.
15 min Good save! Kelly, Georgia Stanway and Toone combine in the box before the latter unleashes a shot from a tight angle which Kim Jung-mi pushes round the post.
13 min England players buzz around the visitors’ box, but struggle to find a way through. James gets the ball out on the right and flashes a shot towards the near post but Kim Jung-mi, South Korea’s goalkeeper, palms it away.
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10 min James gets a good cross in from the right, but it’s cleared. England come forwards again and Toone flicks one round the corner for Chloe Kelly, but she is crowded out by a converging mass of red shirts. South Korea look solid in a highly defensive 5-4-1 setup, clearly intending to hit the Lionesses on the counter-attack. It’s up to the hosts to find a way to break them down now.
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8 min Son Hwa-yeon gets the first booking of the game after catching Williamson on the ankle with a high boot. The England captain dusts herself off, looking unruffled.
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5 min Ella Toone lines one up from distance, but it sails well wide.
4 min The visitors come straight back at England via Choo Hyo-joo, their right wing-back. She makes inroads down the right flank before cutting inside and whipping a shot on target, but Mary Earps is equal to it.
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2 min Lauren James gets the first chance of the match after a nice passing move, thrashing a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
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Kick off!
England get things going, Alessia Russo doing the honours. The hosts get forwards immediately, pushing and probing South Korea’s back five.
The two sides are out on the pitch and the anthems are in progress. Let’s get started, shall we?
Preparation complete ☑️
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 16, 2023
We're almost ready to go in MK! pic.twitter.com/RZubcUV6J3
England players will also wear black armbands this evening, commemorating Beth Mead’s mum, June, who died last month, and the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes.
The #Lionesses are wearing black armbands both in tribute to the victims of Turkey and Syria earthquake and in memory of the sad passing of Beth Mead’s mother last month ❤️ pic.twitter.com/36gb1HbQZi
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 16, 2023
Earlier this week, Williamson expressed her desire to wear the OneLove armband at this summer’s World Cup regardless of Fifa’s intervention against the gesture during the men’s tournament in Qatar. “We’re never shy in saying what we stand for, we’re a squad that promotes inclusivity and equality,” she said. “We obviously have a number of people that feel very strongly about it.” Here’s Suzanne Wrack with the full story.
Colin Bell, the Leicester-born South Korea manager, has also been speaking to ITV. “Obviously, very enjoyable,” he says, when asked how it feels to be back in England. “It’s the first time since 2019, so it’s four years. I’ve been able to catch up with my family, which is very nice, and a lot of my family are here this evening.” He, too, is asked what he’s hoping to take from this game. “It’s going to be tough, we’re playing against the best team in the world this evening in my opinion. Our players are all off-season so it’s going to be a big challenge, but I think we can learn from all three teams.”
South Korea team news
Starting line-up: Kim Jung-mi, Choo Hyo-joo, Hong Hye-ji, Lim Seon-joo, Son Hwa-yeon, Kim Yun-ji, Choe Yu-ri, Kang Chae-rim, Lee Geum-min, Jang Sel-gi, Kim Hye-ri.
⚡여자월드컵을 위한 최고의 점검무대!⚡
— theKFA (@theKFA) February 16, 2023
아놀드 클라크컵 첫 경기! 잉글랜드전에 출전하는
🇰🇷여자축구국가대표팀의 선발명단을 공개합니다!
🇰🇷v🏴#잉글랜드 02.17(금) 04:45
📺쿠팡플레이 단독생중계 📍잉글랜드 ⏰한국시간 기준#대한민국 #여자축구국가대표팀 #4개국 #친선대회 #아놀드클라크컵 pic.twitter.com/l6sNOi31rB
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Speaking to ITV before the match, Wiegman is asked what she hopes to learn from taking on South Korea. “A lot about our players and where they are at this moment,” she says. “We’ll try some combination of players in these three matches and then we get, hopefully, a lot of information about the team and about the individuals, and where we are now, to move forward and get ready for [the start of the Women’s World Cup in] July.”
Williamson, as a local legend, got the loudest reception as the Lionesses arrived at Stadium MK. She was given the freedom of Milton Keynes after winning Euro 2022 and, speaking to the BBC about returning to her hometown, she said: “Obviously my family will be there, it’s an important time to be with them as well. It’s a sort of full circle … it’s one of those moments where you just sort of think it’s probably a good time for reflection and to appreciate.”
A warm welcome home for @leahcwilliamson! 😍 pic.twitter.com/CdUZeyGEk6
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 16, 2023
England team news
Starting line-up: Earps, Bronze, Greenwood, Bright, Williamson, Kelly, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Carter, James.
Your #Lionesses starting tonight... 👊
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 16, 2023
🏆 #ArnoldClarkCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mEtlJveyDY
While Beth Mead is a long-term absentee after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament and Fran Kirby has withdrawn from the England squad with a knee injury, Wiegman has Leah Williamson available once more after she was ruled out of October and November’s fixtures. Meanwhile Laura Coombs, the Manchester City midfielder, has received a call-up eight years after the second of her two caps in 2015 and is, understandably, delighted.
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Preamble
A year after England won the inaugural tournament, confirming their status as champions with victory against Germany in a portent of their Euro 2022 triumph, the Arnold Clark Cup is back and Arnold Clarkier than ever. Where, last time round, Germany, Canada and Spain were the invited teams, this time the Lionesses will go up against three new participants in South Korea, Italy and Belgium. While the tournament is already under way – Le Azzurre lost 2-1 to Belgium’s Red Flames in the day’s early kick off at Stadium MK – South Korea are first up for Sarina Wiegman’s side. They are currently ranked 15th in the world, two places ahead of Italy and five ahead of Belgium, making this a challenging opening fixture for the hosts, who are nonetheless unbeaten in 26 games going back to April 2021.
