Scott wants England to do professional job in Minsk

Thursday 12 Jun 2014
Alex Scott has earned 112 England caps since her debut in 2004

Alex Scott has called on England to do a professional job when they resume World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

Mark Sampson's side take on Belarus knowing a win would bring them a step closer to next summer’s showpiece event.

The Three Lions, who arrived in Minsk on Wednesday night, have won all six qualifiers to date and require seven points from their last four matches to secure qualification, providing Wales win their next two games.

Belarus v England

FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Group 6 qualifier
3pm BST, Saturday 14 June 2014
Traktor Stadium, Minsk

Karen Carney scored a hat-trick as England opened their campaign with a 6-0 demolition of Belarus in September, but Scott has refused to take anything for granted this time around.

She said: “We shouldn't really look back on that win because Belarus will have learnt from that and it probably won't be the same scoreline over here as it was at home. They gave us a bit too much space last time and we took advantage.

“This game will be different because they're in front of their own fans and won't want to suffer another heavy defeat.

“We need to be professional but hopefully we can get the job done, get the three points and then move on to Ukraine next week.”

She added: “It's in our hands and we'd like to qualify as soon as possible.

“But we still need to go about things the right way. We want two good performances to breed that confidence we've had of late – and hopefully the results will take care of themselves.”

England squad

Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Rachel Brown-Finnis (Everton), Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal)

Defenders
Sophie Bradley (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Everton), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Casey Stoney (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (University of South Florida)

Midfielders
Laura Bassett (Chelsea), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)

Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Jess Clarke (Notts County), Dunia Susi (Notts County), Natasha Dowie (Liverpool), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Reading), Lianne Sanderson (Boston Breakers), Kelly Smith (Arsenal)*

* withdrew through injury but not replaced


By Glenn Lavery in Minsk