Japan v England
World Cup 2007, Group A
1pm (BST), Tuesday 11 September 2007
Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
Watch it live on BBC Two or online

The profile of women's football continues to grow globally and this week England's players have enjoyed being in the media spotlight ahead of their first World Cup 2007 game with Japan.

Defender Mary Phillip has been able to provide a unique insight into the transition of the England squad, having been a raw teenager when England last qualified for the World Cup, back in 1995.

Now Head Coach, Hope Powell was one of the more senior players at that tournament in Sweden, whilst Mary - as some media have compared her - was the Theo Walcott of the squad, gaining vital experience, but watching England's march to the quarter finals from the sidelines.

"Back then the preparation for the players was vastly different" said Mary.

"Fitness levels were very low compared to this squad in China, and if one of the senior players had a knock, they were patched up or had an injection, as the depth of quality was not as strong as it is now.

"Now the Coaches demand so much more from us, and we demand the same level of commitment from each other.

"For eight weeks before we flew to Macau, we were training as close to full time as people's jobs, studies or family responsibilities would allow, and we've all had individual programmes which we've followed to the letter."

Whilst the game has moved on, so has Mary, bringing up two sons aged 8 and 11 whilst also coaching in local schools and clubs in South London.

"It's difficult not having the boys here as I've tried not to miss anything in their lives. They understand what I'm doing but I have a close network of family who are looking after them, and I can speak to them every day on the phone too."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game, the sense of anticipation amongst the players is palpable, and despite the experience of more than half a century of caps, Mary admits to a few butterflies.

"On the outside we all look relaxed but a few nerves are creeping in, which is inevitable.

"We're a close knit group so we're keeping each other occupied via the table tennis, or having some down time to take a look at the city, but you can be sure that come 8pm in the stadium tomorrow, there will not be a more hungry set of players than ours."