VIDEO: Hope ready for homecoming
Wednesday, 21 September, 2011
History-making manager just wants three points from Slovenia game.
Tickets are priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions (U7s go free)
Ticket hotline 0871 876 1993
For fans not able to get to Swindon, FATV will stream the game live and free of charge here on TheFA.com
England Women’s Head Coach Hope Powell takes her side into action against Slovenia on Thursday in what will be her first homecoming since becoming the first national boss to reach the milestone of 140 games.
Saturday’s game with Serbia in Belgrade saw Powell take over the record from Walter Winterbottom and Thursday’s match in Swindon will be her 141st in charge of the Three Lions.
It’s certainly been eventful for Powell since taking over back in 1998, as she’s taken England to four successive major competition Finals in the shape of two World Cups and two European Championships.
"It feels more like a 1000!” laughed Powell, as she prepared her squad for Thursday’s game at Webbs Wood, home of Swindon Supermarine.
“But it's a great honour and I feel very privileged so I would like to thank all of the staff that have been involved over the years.
"I feel fortunate to be involved, so we just need to keep going now.”
Powell certainly isn’t getting carried away with her record though, with qualification for another major competition the first thing in her mind.
After drawing their first qualifier with Serbia last weekend, she now wants to collect the full three points against Slovenia to really kick-start the campaign.
"It's our second qualifying match, so our aim is to get three points and keep us on track for qualifying,” she added, in an interview with FATV.
"I expect a similar game to Serbia, they'll make it difficult to break them down and look to counter-attack.
"We must create openings and take our chances and hopefully bury them early-doors.”
Click here to watch the full interview on FATV.
Tickets for Thursday’s game are priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions, with U7s going free. Call the ticket hotline on 0871 876 1993.