Sarina Wiegman, the mastermind behind England's Euro victory, is staying calm despite a lack of warm-up games ahead of the Women's World Cup. The Lionesses kick off their preparations with a clash against Portugal in Milton Keynes this Saturday, before embarking on their journey to Australia and New Zealand just four days later.
Their only other warm-up encounter is a behind-closed-doors match against Canada on July 14, before they take on Haiti in their Group D opener in Brisbane on July 22.
Wiegman was questioned about her concerns regarding the limited match practice, to which she confidently responded, "No, we were well aware of the situation before our preparation began. We had a plan in place, and this is the best possible preparation considering the experience, knowledge, and feedback from the players. Naturally, we would have liked more games, but we also need to ensure our schedule is right. This is the optimal schedule, considering the long journey to the other side of the world, which takes time and requires adjustment to overcome jetlag."
Wiegman added, "We would have preferred additional matches, but we have to work within the constraints of the schedule and consider physiological factors. We are content with this preparation, and our training sessions are helping us grow."
When asked about the starting line-up for the Haiti match, Wiegman revealed, "We're getting closer to finalizing the team. However, there are still some positions where competition is ongoing, and we need these two games to make the final decisions."
Millie Bright, who has taken over the captain's armband in the absence of Leah Williamson due to an ACL injury, will not be available for the Portugal game as she continues her recovery from knee surgery. Midfielder Jordan Nobbs is also following an individual training plan. Wiegman provided an update, saying, "Millie and Jordan are making good progress in their World Cup preparations. They will not be available tomorrow but are on the right track."
If Georgia Stanway takes the field, it will mark her 50th cap as a midfielder for Bayern Munich. Reflecting on the potential milestone, Stanway commented, "Football is a fast-paced world, and it's difficult to take a step back and reflect. It's a continuous journey, one thing after another. A lot has changed since the Euros, and time keeps moving. Of course, I'll try to enjoy tomorrow's game and spend time with my family in the stands and the girls. But our main focus is the upcoming World Cup."
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