France

1-1

England

Diguelman, 89

 

Lattaf (og), 64


World Cup Qualifier
Saturday 30 September 2006
Stade de la Route Lorient, Rennes FC
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England Head Coach Steve McClaren sent his congratulations to the Women's team after they secured qualification for the World Cup in China next year.

After a thrilling game in Rennes that ended 1-1 Hope Powell's side clinched their place at their first World Cup since 1995, and McClaren was delighted by the achievement.

McClaren said: "I want to congratulate Hope and her team for their tremendous achievement. Anyone involved in football dreams of playing in the World Cup finals and testing yourself against the best teams and players in the world.

"Now England's Women have that chance and they have earned their place in China by qualifying from an extremely tough group.

"Everyone in the Men's side is delighted that the Women have got through and we are hoping that they can go all the way."

Mary Philip, who captained England against France on Saturday,  "It was a battle from the start. We knew a draw would take us through, and getting that goal to take the lead took a bit of weight off our shoulders," she said.

"But they scored and we knew we had to dig in deep and hold on. But we stuck at it and now we're flying out to China next year."