Toni sets high standards for England
Friday, 28 May, 2010
England scorer disappointed despite late victory.
Toni Duggan admits that she was disappointed in England's first-half display against Italy, despite their late show that secured a place in the UEFA European U19 Championship semi-final.
Trailling to a Francesca Vitale goal after just six minutes of their second Group A encounter in Macedonia Mo Marley's side were looking defeat square in the face.
That was until Everton forward Duggan, who also hit one in the 3-1 win over Scotland in the opening group game, stepped up to fire England level with three minutes on the clock.
But the current European Champions didn't leave it there as Arsenal's Lauren Bruton arrived from the bench in the closing moments to net the winner, her first for the U19s, in injury time.
"I think we should be a bit disappointed with ourselves," said Duggan. "I know we've gone through to the semi-finals, but the first-half performance just wasn't good enough. We've got to get out on the training pitch and sort ourselves out for the next game against Germany – we've got to up our standards. I'm sure the girls will bounce back."
"We keep reminding ourselves of the feeling in Belarus and we want to do it again," said Duggan, a goalscorer in the Final against Sweden ten months ago. "We're the only ones here that really know what it feels to win it. It spurs us on and that eventually shone through today."
England now take on Germany on sunday afternoon in the last group encounter to see who will top the table and player the runners-up from Group B.