Eni given Sunday
Monday, 18 June, 2012
England Women's ace plays down her Player Of The Match award from Sunday
By Glenn Lavery
Eniola Aluko played down her role in England's 1-0 win over Netherlands on Sunday, despite being named the Vauxhall Player of the Match.
The Birmingham striker, usually deployed through the centre, was assigned to the right-hand side of a front three, but she linked up well with her full-back Alex Scott and provided cut and thrust going forward and solid cover at the back, giving England a platform for a vital victory.
"It's always nice being named the Player of the Match, but it was about tactically knowing my shape because it's a different position for me on the right," she said.
"It was very important for me to do my defensive role and also try and create as much as possible going forward."
Rachel Yankey's 67th-minute free-kick handed England victory over their closest Euro 2013 qualifying rivals and the narrow margin of victory was testament to a hard-fought game between two evenly matched teams.
"It wasn't the prettiest of games but we said to ourselves that we needed to dig it out in the second half," added Aluko.
"We certainly showed a lot of grit and personality in the second half to dig the result out, so we are really pleased."
England now travel to Slovenia for Thursday's game hoping to make it two wins in four days. Another three points would see them replace Holland at the top of the group and leave them in pole position to qualify for Sweden 2013.