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Women's Senior Team

Cheer the heroes

England's Women's team will be presented to a packed Old Trafford crowd on Saturday before the men take on Macedonia in their Euro 2008 qualifier.

The England Women qualified for next year's World Cup finals in China thanks to a nail-biting 1-1 draw with France, in Rennes, last week.

It will be England's first appearance at the World Cup tournament since 1995 and Hope Powell's team were congratulated by Steve McClaren after their heroic result in France.

McClaren said: ``I want to congratulate Hope and her team for their tremendous achievement.

"Anyone involved in football dreams of playing in the World Cup finals and testing yourself against the best teams and players in the world.

"Now England's women have that chance and they have earned their place in China by qualifying from an extremely tough group.

"Everyone in the men's side is delighted that the women have got through and we are hoping that they can go all the way.''

The triumphant team will do a lap of honour around 15 minutes before the men's game at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Old Trafford is sold out for the Macedonia game and the 71,000 crowd will be the biggest ever for an England home game outside Wembley.