09 March 2006
VIDEO: England 1-0 Iceland

Watch the highlights from Carrow Road as Karen Carney seals a win for England late in the second half.


England

1-0

Iceland

Carney 79

 

 

International Friendly
Thursday 09 March 2006
Norwich City FC

England Women's team extended their unbeaten run to six matches on Thursday night with a hard-fought win over Iceland to give them a boost ahead of the World Cup Qualifier against France later this month.

Despite being on top for most of the game and carving out a number of good opportunities, the Three Lions couldn't turn their possession into goals until eleven minutes from time.

Birmingham City winger Karen Carney headed in from Rachel Unitt's left-hand cross to ease the frustration of earlier missed chances at Carrow Road.

England Women's National Coach Hope Powell was pleased with the performance and the way her team continued to search for the winner. But she knows that against France on 26 March they'll need to be more menacing in front of goal.

"It was frustrating, but we created so many chances. What was encouraging too, is that we kept going. We had so much of the possession and didn't concede.

"A year ago we weren't creating and scoring, but tonight we did. We need to be more clinical - against better teams we need to take our chances," she added.

"Perhaps at times we overplayed a little, but I'm happy at the way we approached the game.

"France are a very good side and are favourites to get out of the group. It'll be a big test for us but one we'll relish.

"As long as the girls give 100%, I can't ask for anymore."

A record attendance for a women's friendly, just short of 10,000, turned out on cold and wet night in Norfolk, much to the delight of Powell.

If the fans in Blackburn, where the Final for Euro 2005 was held, follow suit later this month, it'll give the side an added bonus as they aim to qualify for China 2007.

"It was nice to see a great crowd, so I thank everyone who came out to support us," said Powell. 

"It's a sign of the legacy left by the Euros last summer; women's football won a lot of new fans."

England v France, World Cup Qualifier, Blackburn Rovers FC


Tickets for the game at Ewood Park on 26 March (kick off 7.05pm) are now on sale priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions. Tickets can be purchased from the Blackburn Rovers ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 08701 123456.

Special group discounts are available for groups of over 15, with tickets costing just £1 per person, you can download the forms by clicking here.