- Updates from 7.45pm GMT kick-off at Coventry Arena
- Have any thoughts? Send them to Scott via email
The reigning champions of Europe take on the reigning champions of Africa at the CBS Arena in Coventry tonight. It’s a heavyweight clash, though both sides have some heavy weights on their mind: England’s first run-out of the autumn saw them concede three goals in less than 30 minutes against Germany at Wembley last weekend, and though Sarina Wiegman’s side rallied to limit the final damage to a 4-3 defeat, a loss is a loss is a loss. Desiree Ellis’s Banyana Banyana are also coming off the back of a lopsided game, having held Denmark to a goalless first half in Aalborg last Friday, only to ship five goals in the second half. So both teams will be looking to bounce back, though the hosts are realistically the more likely to do so: England are currently ranked second in the world, while South Africa are 50th in Fifa’s official list.
Wiegman is expected to experiment, all the while gaining knowledge against the “different style” of tonight’s opponents. “It will be a little different from the Euros but later on in our journey, towards the World Cup, I think this is great to play a team like South Africa,” says Wiegman. “That will be another learning moment for us. Can we dictate the game?” We’ll begin to find out at 7.45pm GMT. It’s on!
Continue reading…Updates from 7.45pm GMT kick-off at Coventry ArenaHave any thoughts? Send them to Scott via emailThe reigning champions of Europe take on the reigning champions of Africa at the CBS Arena in Coventry tonight. It’s a heavyweight clash, though both sides have some heavy weights on their mind: England’s first run-out of the autumn saw them concede three goals in less than 30 minutes against Germany at Wembley last weekend, and though Sarina Wiegman’s side rallied to limit the final damage to a 4-3 defeat, a loss is a loss is a loss. Desiree Ellis’s Banyana Banyana are also coming off the back of a lopsided game, having held Denmark to a goalless first half in Aalborg last Friday, only to ship five goals in the second half. So both teams will be looking to bounce back, though the hosts are realistically the more likely to do so: England are currently ranked second in the world, while South Africa are 50th in Fifa’s official list.Wiegman is expected to experiment, all the while gaining knowledge against the “different style” of tonight’s opponents. “It will be a little different from the Euros but later on in our journey, towards the World Cup, I think this is great to play a team like South Africa,” says Wiegman. “That will be another learning moment for us. Can we dictate the game?” We’ll begin to find out at 7.45pm GMT. It’s on! Continue reading…