RACHEL DALY admits it’s tough to start on the bench for England – but acknowledged Sarina Wiegman’s World Cup selection headache.
The WSL Golden Boot winner was a sub during the Lionesses’ group stage defeat of Haiti with Alessia Russo given the starting XI nod.
And team-mate Bethany England is yet to make an appearance for the Euros champs in the contest.
England number nine Daly entered the fray in place of Russo in the 76th minute of their clash with Haiti on Saturday in Brisbane.
The Aston Villa striker, who netted 22 goals in 22 WSL games last term, came close to doubling her team’s lead three minutes later.
Had her header found the back of the net it would have seen the Lionesses end an open play scoring dry spell with the team goalless in their previous two fixtures.
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On if it is frustrating to be on the Lionesses’ bench, Daly said: “No one is happy to sit on the bench.
“If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career.
“It’s a tough place for Sarina to be in to pick the team.
“And I respect her decisions and I will support Alessia all the way and I know Bethany (England) will do the same.
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“That’s the beauty of having a competitive squad.
“Everybody is digging out for a position. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions.
“I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes obviously making such big decisions coming into tournaments.
“But she’s a fantastic manager, we respect all of her decisions. It proved tonight that it works, so we are happy.”
Whilst having 11 shots on target to Haiti’s two, England found themselves under pressure from the contest debutants, ranked the 56th best team in the world.
Melchie Dumornay, Nerilla Mondesir and 5ft 4in goalkeeper Kerly Theus were among Haiti’s standout performers, with Theus pulling off some stunning saves.
Daly, who has 70 England caps, added: “Haiti were a fantastic side and they are a force to be reckoned with. I think they will do some damage.
“You have got to give credit to the opposition as they were brilliant.”
The second-half introduction of Lauren James and Daly gave Wiegman’s side more zeal in attack with James teeing up Kelly who fired wide late on.
However the sole goal of the game from England, who play Denmark on Friday, came from Georgia Stanway’s retaken spot-tick.
This means the usually clinical Lionesses have now gone 337 minutes without burying a non set-piece goal.
Daly added: “You could put it down to a number of things, but I think we are quite a new side, a relatively new side.
“We have lost a lot of players through injury and retirement.
“We are still building, but I don’t think it’s a worry and a concern at the minute. Hopefully, more will come.”
The result of England’s clash with Denmark is likely to play a key role in determining which side finishes top of Group D.
The Danes are currently in pole position after sealing a narrow 1-0 against China on Saturday.
Some observers believe England’s slim win against Haiti is comparable to their 1-0 defeat of Austria during their march to Euros glory.
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Daly said: “It’s three points on the board, we will take that.
“That’s all that matters coming out of games in the group (stage).”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
