Women's U23 Head Coach looking forward to Four Nation's conclusion.

England U23s v USA
Four Nation Tournament
3pm (GMT), Friday 26 February
La Manga, Spain

The England Women’s U23 Head Coach, Brent Hills, is currently preparing his side for their final match in the Four Nation Tournament after watching them pick up their first win of the campaign, against Norway on Wednesday.

A 48th-minute goal from Dannii Bird gave the Three Lions a victory which went some way to erasing the disappointment of a 1-0 defeat to Germany two days earlier.

“I thought we dominated the Norway game,” said Hills. “We could have won it by at least two or three goals, which was particularly pleasing, seeing as that team hasn’t played much together.

“We adapted to the windy conditions and the bigger pitch really suited our passing game. In all fairness, we totally dominated the game. Our passing was crisp and our movement was good and in fairness I think we should have won by at least two or three goals,” he continued.

“Norway are a tough team to play against; they only lost 1-0 to USA so it was a good exercise for the girls.”

A few of Hills’ squad have been struck down with a bug while Ellie Gilliat has returned to England due to injury. Leeds Carnegie’s Mel Sutcliffe has been called up as a replacement and Doncaster Rovers Belles’ goalkeeper, Marie Hourihan, has also been called out to La Manga ahead of the USA game, one that Hills is looking forward to.

“It should be a good game,” he predicted. “Germany have a similar style of play to us, Norway have a more direct approach and USA are a mixture of the two really.

“They have been playing a diamond formation in midfield, which we don’t come up against often, and I’m hoping they play that formation against us, because it will be a good experience for the girls. But if they play 4-3-3 we are also well versed in facing that formation as well.

“It’s been a good tournament so far and I’m hoping for one last push against the States to round off a very satisfying week.”