ENGLAND

 

RUSSIA

 

v


International Friendly at Bristol Rovers FC
Thursday 19th August 2004, 7.35pm kick off
Live on Sky Sports
Tickets: £5 adults, £2 concessions
available at the gates

Hope Powell's England team begins the countdown to the 2005 European Championships with a Thursday night friendly against Russia at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Ground.

Key players such as captain Faye White, top striker Kelly Smith and goalkeeper Rachel Brown are all sidelined but it opens the door for some of the country's flourishing young talent to shine.  

With Euro 2005 set to be played in England next June, it's perhaps the most important season in the history of women’s football in this country and Hope's girls will be building up throughout the campaign towards what will be the biggest women’s football event ever held in the UK.

National Coach Powell is understandably disappointed at having to start the season with several first choice players missing, but will still be able to field a strong line-up in the meeting with Russia.

“It’s a shame we won’t have the likes of Faye, Kelly and Rachel,” she admitted, “but injuries are part and parcel of the game and this at least gives other players the chance to show they can step in and do a job.

“It’s going to be tough against Russia, who are a good side. They reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year and they’re progressing pretty well in the Euro 2005 qualifiers, so it will be a real test for us.

“But even without some of our key players we’ve got a pretty strong squad for this match, and after drawing 2-2 with Russia in a game we should have won in Moscow last year I think it will be another good contest.

“I’m delighted to be taking the team back to Bristol Rovers, where an excellent crowd really got behind us when we played there against Switzerland on our way to qualifying for the 2001 European Championships finals.”

Bristol born Rachel McArthur will be hoping to make a home town appearance in an England shirt, particularly after her close season move from Fulham to FA Nationwide Women’s Premier League rivals Bristol City.

“I’ve never played in an international in Bristol before,” said the midfielder, “so this is a fantastic opportunity for me. I’ve got lots of friends and family coming to the game and I’m really looking forward to it.”

McArthur’s former Fulham colleague Mary Phillip, who switched clubs to Arsenal during the summer, is also looking forward to a game in which she may be handed the captain’s armband in the absence of White.

Having been part of the team which drew with the Russians last October, Phillip said: “I felt we had the upper hand for most of the game out there but in the end we threw away what should have been a good win.

“What we have to do on Thursday night is keep it going for the full 90 minutes and hopefully this time come out with the right result. It won’t be easy though, because the Russians are decent team we have to respect.”

Coach Powell has added just one new face to her squad, bringing in Everton’s Lindsay Johnson after the 24 year-old central defender impressed as an over-age player at last month’s Nordic Under-21 Tournament.

The coach has also called up Johnson’s Everton team-mate Kelly McDougall as an 11th-hour replacement for Fulham midfielder Corinne Yorston, who had to withdraw from the squad through injury.

Thursday evening’s match, which kicks off at 7.35 pm, is being televised live on Sky Sports while tickets are still available to attend the game. Admission at the turnstiles is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

Match Officials

Referee:

Hilda MCDERMOTT (Republic of Ireland) 

Assistant Referees:

Rhona DALY(Republic of Ireland)

 

Imelda O'HANLON (Republic of Ireland)

Fourth Official

Wendy Toms (England)