Fidler hails 'great start'
Wednesday, 12 October, 2011
Head Coach pleased with victory in opening Euro qualifier.
England Women’s U17 Head Coach Lois Fidler praised her side’s attacking attitude after they registered a 4-1 victory over Israel in their opening European Championship qualifier.
Katie Zelem scored a goal in each half and Olivia Fergusson and captain Paige Williams completed the scoring for the Young Lionesses. Soffer Fleitman had equalised for the visitors, but England ultimately proved too strong.
“It was a great start for us,” said Fidler.
“Israel probably aren’t the best opposition we’ll ever face, but sometimes when you play against teams like that it’s very easy to drop your standards and make things more difficult for yourself. Credit to the players; they didn’t allow that to happen. They stuck to task and moved the ball around really well.
“It was an enjoyable game to watch in terms of the quality of football on offer,” she continued. “We are pleased with the 4-1 victory, but disappointed to concede a goal. What we need to try and do is to convert our quality into more goals.
“We dominated throughout,” she continued. “We created a lot of chances. We had 30 shots at goal, 13 on target. We just need to improve our goals-to-chances ratio because we are mindful that the opposition is going to get a lot tougher before the end of the week. We are happy with our performance but we know we still have lots to do to qualify for the next phase.”
Next up for Fidler’s charges is a match against the host nation in Dungannon and the Head Coach is expecting an altogether different encounter.
“This is probably the toughest First Qualifying Round group we have been in since the competition started a few years ago and we are not taking anything for granted,” she said. “We are preparing the girls as thoroughly as we possibly can. Thursday’s game will probably be a bit more physical than the Israel game, but that’s what international football is all about, quickly adapting to different styles of play.
“The Northern Ireland game will be a bit of a derby and a much tougher test so we’ll have to be up for the challenge. It will also be a good measure of where the girls are at. But they have done everything I have asked of them so far and they understand what is expected of them.
“I can’t be anything other than complimentary at this stage. They are a bright bunch and they have got so much potential. I am excited to see how these girls progress.”