Austria

1-4

England

Celouch 20

 

Williams (pen) 23, K. Smith 35, Barr 55, S. Smith 90


World Cup Qualifier
Thursday 1 September 2005
Amstetten, Austria

England had to come from behind to make a winning start to their 2007 Women’s World Cup campaign.

On what was also the first occasion the two nations had met in a women’s international, Austria – at 47th in the world ranked 33 places lower than England - shocked Hope Powell’s team with an opening goal by Natascha Celouch.

But the visitors were soon back on level terms through a Fara Williams penalty, and they then eased to victory with further goals by Kelly Smith, Amanda Barr and substitute Sue Smith.

They had suffered an early scare though, left winger Celouch outpacing right back Alex Scott before sending a clever 25 yard chip over goalkeeper Rachel Brown and into the roof of the net.

That stung the visitors into action and they equalised within three minutes, midfielder Williams scoring from the penalty spot after striker Kelly Smith had been upended by goalkeeper Bianca Reischer – who escaped with a booking.

Striker Barr might have increased the lead but sent a 15 yard cross-shot into the arms of Reischer.

The Austrian keeper then gifted England their second goal, however, allowing Kelly Smith’s 25 yard shot to slip first through her hands then her legs for the ball to trickle into the net.

Left back Rachel Unitt sent a long range effort just wide as England built up the pressure towards the interval.

England took control after the break and increased their lead in the 55th minute, when striker Amanda Barr swept home a Kelly Smith cross following a free-kick by substitute Sue Smith.

Only a tremendous 77th minute save by Reischer prevented Sue Smith from adding her name to the scoresheet with a 12 yard shot.

A minute from time England went close to conceding a second goal when midfielder Nina Aigner struck a 12 yard shot against the bar.

But two minutes into stoppage time Sue Smith wrapped up England’s victory with a close range effort following a goalmouth scramble.

And just before the final whistle left back Rachel Unitt went close to a fifth goal, sending a good effort off the far post.

Austria: Bianca Reischer; Cacilia Metzler, Sonja Spieler, Maria Gstöttner, Katharina Pregartbauer; Katrin Walzl, Gertrud Stallinger, Nina Aigner, Mélanie Fischer (Susanne Just 81), Natascha Celouch; Nina Burger(Irene Fuhrmann 85).
Subs not used: Susanna Gahleitner, Marion Grobner, Birgit Leitner, Mariella Rappold

England: Rachel Brown, Alex Scott (Casey Stoney 61), Faye White, Mary Phillip, Rachel Unitt, Karen Carney, Katie Chapman, Fara Williams, Jo Potter (Sue Smith 46), Kelly Smith (Emily Westwood 67), Amanda Barr.
Subs not used: Siobhan Chamberlain, Vicky Exley, Jody Handley, Lindsay Johnson.

Referee: A. Tvarijonaite (Lithuania)

Attendance: 1,700