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      Injury woes mount for Manchester City’s women’s side as club confirm ACL rupture for Australia forward Mary Fowler

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      MANCHESTER CITY have suffered another injury blow with the club confirming Mary Fowler has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament. The Cityzens ace suffered a knee ligament tear on April 13 during her side’s 2-0 Women’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Man United. Manchester City ace Mary Fowler suffered a knee ligament tear in the first half of her team’s FA Cup last four clash with Man UnitedCredit: AlamyThe City forward went off injured in the 25th minute after rupturing her ligament whilst attempting to stretch for the ballCredit: PAVivianne Miedema is also among the Man City players currently sidelined with the forward out due to a hamstring issueCredit: GettyThe Australia forward is now one of eleven first-team regulars currently crocked before her side’s last four Women’s Super League games this season. Fowler is also the second Cityzens ace to be sidelined by an ACL injury within the past nine months with Japan and City defender Risa Shimizu rupturing her knee ligament last JulyThe WSL giants, who are fourth and seven points off Man United, are chasing a top three finish needed for Champions League qualification.They due to play Everton, Leicester, the Red Devils and Crystal Palace in their final four games this termRead More Football StoriesAnd their squad has been left thin after being decimated by injury blows over the course of this season. Vivianne Miedema and striker Khadija Shaw are both sidelined with hamstring concerns. Last week interim City boss Nick Cushing revealed Miedema is expected to be out for the rest of this term. Rebecca Knaak is also out of action with the defender damaging her hamstring whilst on Nations League duty with Germany in February. Most read in FootballAnd Laura Blindkilde Brown is currently crocked with the midfielder spotted on crutches at the Etihad on March 23 during City’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the league. Alex Greenwood is currently working her way back to fitness following a medial collateral knee rupture.The England defender sustained her injury during City’s defeat of St Polten in the Champions League However the City skipper and Hemp are back training on grass with Hemp continuing her recovery following an operation on her knee in December last year. Midfielder Jill Roord missed City’s FA Cup semis loss to United due to an unspecified injury. Interim boss Nick Cushing hopes says a review of Man City’s injury situation is neededCredit: AlamyMeanwhile goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and winger Aoba Fujino are also currently sidelined.City’s injury woes meant Cushing had only six substitutes on the bench during his sides’s FA Cup semis duel with neighbours United. The interim Cityzens gaffer, who took charge of the team in March after the sacking of Gareth Taylor, is keen for a review of the situation and his side’s season as a whole.   More

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      Manchester United ace Phallon Tullis-Joyce insists there is no ‘half-a**ing’ in her pursuit of success on the pitch

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      PHALLON TULLIS-JOYCE does not “half-a**” anything – whether it is football or adding to her extensive knowledge of marine biology. This approach has served the clever, quick-witted Manchester United goalkeeper well on and off the pitch. Phallon Tullis-Joyce and her Manchester United team-mates take on Man City for a place in this year’s Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: GettyThe Red Devils stopper currently has the highest number of clean sheets in the WSL this term and says her team-mates have played a big part in thisCredit: ReutersOn the international stage Tullis-Joyce kept a cleansheet for Emma Hayes’ USA team when they beat Brazil 1-0 in a friendly this monthCredit: GettyThe Man United stopper hopes to start in more games for the United States following senior international debut this monthCredit: GettyGrowing up on Long Island, New York, in the United States, there was nothing half-arsed about the graft Tullis-Joyce, 28, put in to become one of her country’s most talented shot stoppers. The Red Devils ace has fond memories of hurdling waste bins as part of training. An activity practiced under the watchful eye of goalkeeping expert Kurt Kelley, head coach of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Programme.Training with Kelley from the age of 12, with encouragement from her mother Patricia, instilled a work ethic that helped an athlete, who also trained in basketball, with her rise to the top.Read More Football StoriesThere is no half-arsing in the Tullis-Joyce dictionary. That’s very much a premise of my mother as well.Phallon Tullis-Joyce Tullis-Joyce, whose club side face Manchester City at 3:00pm today in the Women’s FA Cup semis, said: “I wasn’t too bad at basketball “But with goalkeeping, there’s a special feeling when it comes to flying through the air. That’s why that propelled me to stay in soccer. “I started training with Kurt right from the start when I was 12-years-old. “At that time, I wasn’t making it into progressive teams, like the regional team or I wasn’t really progressing too much.Most read in Football”And Kurt was like, ‘You know what, that’s fair. You have a lot of things you need to work on’. “I was so hurt but he just was able to give me that honest feedback.”He was the one that was having me jump over trash cans and just on the brink of puking in sessions. “He really instilled the work ethic of like, ‘if you want this, you got to go for it. There is no half-arsing this’. “That’s very much a premise of my mother as well. There is no half-arsing in the Tullis-Joyce dictionary.”Kurt has a facility called KK Athletics Indoor Sports. He would lay out different flags and different trash cans.”The other goalkeepers there would lie in an army crawl position and I would have to hop over them for the save. “It definitely taught me to be fearless. “I’ve had plenty of people in my youth who would say, ‘keep your standards, always keep your standards’. I’m very appreciative of those people.”My mum has been such a massive proponent of my (football) career and just who I am especially when I’m speaking of academics. “She put that on a pedestal and rightfully so. You get your education first and then everything else is a bonus.” Tullis-Joyce describes her football journey from then to now as a “lucky one”. A journey that involved playing for Miami Hurricanes in the USA’s college football system while studying for bachelor and masters degrees in marine biology subjects at the University of Miami. It was at the university that Tullis-Joyce continued to hone the skills that have led her second USA international call-up. After graduation came an April 2019 move to then second tier French side Reims, helping them win promotion to France’s top-flight for the 2019-20 season. Back then the team was managed by Amandine Miquel, who now coaches Leicester City and sees Tullis-Joyce as one of the best goalkeepers in the WSL.    In April 2021 the American joined US side Seattle Reign, where she was shortlisted for an NWSL shot stopper of the year prize, before joining Man United in September 2023.  Following Mary Earps’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain last July, Tullis-Joyce  established herself as the Red Devils’ first choice keeper.  This term she currently tops the WSL’s clean sheet chart  with 12 shutouts in 18 top-flight games. She adds:  “I’ve learned so much this season. “I’m happy to be in this position and grateful for my defenders and the entire team defending in front of me”They all are a part of that race for the (WSL’s) Golden Gloves.”I’ve learned so much this season and there’s just so much to gain out of this, especially with my goalkeeper coach and goalkeeper union around me.”Red Devils boss Marc Skinner said: “Phallon is an incredibly intelligent woman. “That’s really important because she’s very aware of what’s needed to be Man United’s number one. “But she will be the first to say the defending team ahead of her has helped that as well.”Away from the pitch, studying the ocean is something that has always fascinated Tullis-Joyce.It was always part of my plan to be a marine biologist. I love scuba diving and I don’t just love the ocean. I love the environment in general.Phallon Tullis-JoyceThe USA shot stopper has even given a talk to Year 7 school pupils on the topic of marine biology as part of Man United’s Eco Reds programme.       She adds: “They invited me to come talk to the children about the ocean. “Students take part in different lessons revolving around the environment and sustainability.”I just try to really make it fun for them because at that age, I really just want them to think that it’s cool.”It was always part of my plan to be a marine biologist. I love scuba diving.”It’s just such a serene experience where all you’re doing is breathing and looking at cool animals that have adapted to a really hard environment. Tullis-Joyce, who has degrees in marine biology subjects, is an advocate for protecting the environment and marine life”I don’t just love the ocean. I love the environment in general.”Even seeing little frog eyes pop up and see the reflection of their eyes on the surface of the water and learning now for the first time at 28, the difference between frog spawn and toad spawn. “It’s just so cool. Toad spawn might as well be like udon noodles, whereas frog spawn is like boba. “I’ve just been obsessed with telling my teammates.”This month has seen Tullis-Joyce make her first senior appearance for the USA’s women’s team keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 friendly win against Brazil. Today will see her face the challenge of attempting to help holders United reach a second successive FA Cup final for the first time in their history. Her side, who also hope to seal a top three finish for Champions League qualification, will face West Ham, Chelsea and Man City in their final WSL games this term. As part of her goalkeeping development Tullis-Joyce regularly uses a smart reaction training tool known as BlazePod. It helps shot stoppers, including keepers playing at an elite level, to integrate cognitive fitness into their practice routines. And BlazePod does this by using pads with lighting to test goalkeepers’ reaction speeds. The programme is also used by sports people outside of football including Formula One drivers. Tullis-Joyce adds: “It’s crazy how simple they are (to use), but how much you can do with them.”For me, it’s more just that preparation, even for game days to get used to bright lights in a stadium. “It’s just something that’s constant that I can use so I can always sharpen up my reaction time really quickly.Tullis-Joyce uses a smart reaction practice tool known as BlazePods to help with her reflex training”With Manchester United I would say the biggest impact BlazePods has had for me is my preparation for training.Read More on The Sun”I use them every single day and for game days as well to help with practice for any type of handling and my footwork and peripheral vision. “It really opens up my senses a bit to be ready for the day.” More

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      Bompastor hails Chelsea striker’s match-winning goal as Blues ace eyes first FA Cup final appearance at Wembley 

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      SONIA BOMPASTOR praised Aggie Beever-Jones for notching up another milestone after Chelsea ended Liverpool’s FA Cup final hopes.The lifelong Blues fan nabbed a stoppage-time winner earlier today – which could see her star in a cup final at Wembley for the first time next month. Aggie Beever-Jones’s header booked Chelsea’s place in the Women’s FA Cup final where they will play Man City or Man United in MayCredit: GettyThe Blues striker said she is yet to play in an FA Cup final for Chelsea at WembleyCredit: GettyOlivia Smith gave Liverpool a 21st-minute lead in their semi-final clash with ChelseaCredit: AlamyErin Cuthbert levelled close to halftime before the hosts upped the ante in attack in the second halfCredit: GettyAnd Beever-Jones described Chelsea reaching this year’s FA Cup final as “massive” for momentum in terms of some of the huge games coming up for the Blues. Matches which include a highly-anticipated semi-final Champions League tie with Barcelona who hope to win the title for a fourth time. After her side’s FA Cup last-four triumph Beever-Jones said: “It’s massive (reaching the final). “For us, at the start of the season, we said we want to be in as many finals as possible. Read More Football Stories “Today was another step in the right direction and for us we’re ready for the final and we’ve got to make preparation for a busy month. “We’ll be ready (for the game at Wembley) when it comes around.”Beever-Jones’ match-winning finish came eight days after her first senior England goal in a 5-0 Nations League hammering of Belgium. The Blues were forced to fight back after Liverpool snatched a surprise lead through Olivia Smith’s drilled finish, with Erin Cuthbert levelling before halftime. Most read in FootballThe Reds weathered intense second-half pressure from their Kingsmeadow hosts with the score still level in the 90th minute. But with eight minutes of stoppage time added on Beever-Jones netted in the 94th to keep the WSL leaders’ quadruple hopes alive. Her club are one victory away from claiming a second piece of domestic silverware this term. The Blues booking a spot in this year’s decider follows their League Cup final defeat of Man City in March. And Bompastor’s side will face either the Cityzens or their neighbours Man United who will battle each other tomorrow. On Beever-Jones, potentially playing in a cup final at Wembley for the first time, Blues boss Bompastor said: “It’s another record for Aggie. “This past week has been really good for her.”She’s a really young, talented player who at the moment makes a big impact for the team, creating chances, scoring goals and giving assists. “I was pleased for her to get minutes with England because she’s in a good moment in her career and in her season.”She had the opportunity to score for her first (senior) goal for England which was really important for her “And this goal (for us) will bring even more confidence and it’s good for the team.”Of her match winner, Beever-Jones added: “It means everything. “Being a Chelsea fan, and being able to help them get to the final and scoring so late on in the game – it’s amazing. “When I look back on it, I could have had a few earlier in the game and probably saved a few people from stressing out a little bit. “But I’m just delighted to put the goal away in the crucial last moments of the game.”Chelsea had four corners and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd firing wide before Liverpool took a surprise 21st-minute lead. Marie Hobinger’s well-timed ball forward found Olivia Smith with the Reds star’s bottom-corner strike breaking the deadlock.Sandy Baltimore, who scored for France during their Nations League defeat of Iceland, was among Chelsea’s best performersCredit: GettyChastened from going behind Chelsea grabbed leveller via Erin Cuthbert’s cushioned finish on the stroke halftime following Sandy Baltimore’s pass across the box.Read More on The SunThey piled on the pressure in the second half with Beever-Jones forcing a few point blank saves from Reds keeper Rachael Laws. And Baltimore’s injury-time cross reached the Blues starlet who leapt highest to head home and seal the win. More

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      Sonia Bompastor urges Chelsea to be ruthless in battle with Liverpool for Women’s FA Cup final spot

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      SONIA BOMPASTOR  wants Chelsea to be ruthless in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool and go full throttle for more trophies.This month is a massive one for the WSL leaders with a place in two major finals at stake.Bompastor hopes to guide the Blues to a second cup final duel this season following their League Cup triumph over Man CityCredit: AlamyThe last clash between the teams ended as a 3-0 away win for Chelsea in the WSL last NovemberCredit: GettyAmber Whiteley hopes to guide Liverpool to their first FA Cup final since 1996Credit: GettyFollowing their League Cup triumph, on Saturday at Kingsmeadow they hope to claim a spot in this year’s FA Cup decider. On April  20th they will be in Spain for the first-leg of a mammoth Champions League last four battle with Barcelona.A Wembley duel with Manchester City or holders Man United on May 18 awaits the victors of the duel between Bompastor’s side and their visitors. And they also hope to avoid any more dropped points in the top-flight as they attempt to claim an eighth Women’s Super League title.Read More Football StoriesOne that will, should they succeed, be their first since Bompastor took charge last summer.Before then Amber Whiteley’s Reds take on the Blues in a lunchtime duel with their opponents hoping to reach their first FA Cup final since 2023.Chelsea boss Bompastor, whose side won this year’s League Cup said: “It’s up to us to make sure we have this ruthless mentality as a team.”Probably the best version of ourselves is the game we had against Man City, in the second leg in the Champions League quarter-final. Most read in Football”But then also the first 30 minutes we played against West Ham.”We are still in three competitions and we have the opportunity to play against the best teams in Europe, in big games.”And that’s an opportunity for us to just show our best version and our levels and make sure we keep our standards high.”While Liverpool clinched a shock win against Arsenal to reach the FA Cup semis, they will be going into today’s game as underdogs.The Reds have lost 16 of their last 19 games against Chelsea across all competitions.And they were knocked out of the fourth round of the contest by the Blues back in 2022-23.Despite the odds being in her side’s favour, Bompastor is unlikely to underestimate her foes.Particularly with Chelsea having dropped points in the league against West Ham before the international break.She added: “In terms of a ruthless mentality, it will be really important for us to show up.”We need to be more consistent during the game from the beginning until the end.”If you analyse the West Ham game, we started strong, we had the opportunity to win the game by three, four goals difference.”We need to be aggressive. This is a semi-final and we will be facing a team who will be hugely motivated.”Saturday’s match follows an international break in which two of Chelsea’s England stars – Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones – bagged their first senior international goals.Bompastor said: “All the English people should be proud to have these players in Chelsea and in England.”They are world-class players and they are making a big impact on the women’s game.”Whiteley’s Reds hope to become the first Liverpool side to reach an FA Cup final in almost three decades.The last time the team battled in a decider for the trophy was in 1996.That year they were beaten on penalties by a Croydon side captained by Hope Powell.Liverpool’s last FA Cup final outing ended as a loss on penalties with a Croydon side captained by Hope Powell lifting the trophy 29 years agoCredit: PAIn her column for Liverpool’s website, Whiteley wrote: “The prize doesn’t come much bigger than the opportunity to play in an FA Cup final at Wembley. Read More on The Sun”We’ll put absolutely everything into it.We have the opportunity to do something really special in this competition.”We have to go into the game prepared and with the confidence and belief that we can go all the way.” More

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      Why rising Lioness star Michelle Agyemang has been tipped for the top by Arsenal and England icon

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      MICHELLE AGYEMANG took just 41 seconds to produce a moment of world-class magic that wowed fans watching England in the Nations League. On a disappointing night with the Lionesses’ 3-2 loss to Belgium on April 8, her stunning strike on her senior debut was a bright spot.Having shone for England’s Under-19s and Under-23s Michelle Agyemang made a stunning bow by scoring less than a minute into her senior international debutCredit: GettyAgyemang and her team-mate Aggie Beever-Jones are regarded as two of the Lionesses’ most promising forwards with both bagging senior debut goals this monthCredit: ReutersThe WSL starlet has made 14 WSL appearances from the bench for Brighton during her loan stint at the club this termCredit: AlamyAn audacious delivery into the box was followed by a swift and superb volleyed finish from Agyemang. With England blighted by injuries to some of their key forwards, the 19-year-old’s emergence is very timely for boss Sarina Wiegman. Her squad have had rotten luck with injuries recently with Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Lauren James withdrawing from the team’s April international camp. And Lauren Hemp has been out of action last November following a knee op, although the Manchester City forward is back training on grass at her club. Read More Football Stories With these fitness concerns, Agyemang’s goalscoring cameo in the Nations League could prove significant for the Euros titleholders.  On July 5 the Lionesses will kick-off their bid to remain European champions when they take on France. Wiegman’s side are in a ‘group of death’ which also includes 2017 Euros champions the Netherlands and contest debutants Wales. With the tournament’s start in Switzerland less than three months away, Agyemang has provided Wiegman with a fresh option as either a nine or in a wing position. Most read in FootballAnd with her game-changing capability and threat in front of goal, she has made a case for England squad consideration for the Euros. Among those with high hopes for the future of the striker, currently on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, is Gunners legend Kelly Smith. The England icon, who trains the club’s WSL forwards, has backed Agyemang to make her mark. Last August Smith, who scored 125 goals in 144 Arsenal games, said: “What I like about Michelle’s strengths is her hold-up play is really good.”She’s physical, aggressive and got a fantastic shot on her.”The fans always like to see a home-grown player do really well.”It’s a credit to Arsenal, the academy staff and structure we have to develop these players and bring them through.”Here is a look at Agyemang’s football journey and some of the moments that fuelled her rise. Agyemang, currently on loan at Albion from Arsenal, is regarded as one of the Gunners’ rising stars along with Vivianne Lia (left), Freya Godfrey and Maddie EarlCredit: GettyHale End journey Agyemang standout cameo for the Lionesses will not have come as a surprise to those who monitored her progress at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy. The technically versatile and robust forward, who grew up in Southend, Essex, joined the Gunners’ youth set-up at the age of six. During her earliest years there she would play matches with the boys’ Under-7s side, initially in central defence, before specialising as a forward. While playing for Arsenal’s Academy league side in the 2022-23 season Agyemang netted 19 goals in 11 appearances. And her efforts helped the young Gunners end that season as Academy League champions with a five-point lead over runners-up Chelsea.Senior Arsenal debut and rise through England’s ranksIn November 2022 Agyemang made her senior club debut at 16 coming on in the 77th minute of the team’s 4-0 win away against Leicester City in the WSL. Her first senior goal for the Gunners would follow two months later during a 9-0 FA Cup fourth round demolition of Leeds. Just as she did for England, Agyemang showed her knack for making an almost instant impact straight off the bench. Agyemang scored in England Under-19’s 5-1 win against Austria this month before being called up to Wiegman’s squad following an injury to Alessia RussoCredit: GettyIt took her just four minutes to find the back of the net after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute. In 2023 Agyemang was named in the young Lionesses’ side that competed in the Women’s Under-17 Euros. She netted four times during the contest in May that year with her team reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by Spain. Ex-Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall suggested the then 17-year-old had the tactical and technical knowhow that “outmatched” other players in her age group. And Agyemang demonstrated this a year later helping England’s youth players reach the semis of the Women’s Under-19 Euros. In May 2023, then Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “Michelle has a tactical and technical level and also a physical level that outmatches players at U17 level. “She can do that at senior level too. What she is doing (at the U17 Euros) is no surprise to me at all.”Bright spark for Brighton Last May Agyemang took a significant step in her club career signing her first professional contract with Arsenal. The striker’s first pro deal followed her building up her game time as a dual-registration player with Watford FC after joining them in August 2023.  The first three months of Agyemang’s Golden Girls stint were hampered by injury with the striker sidelined by a knee problem. However the player would make a goalscoring comeback in December that year netting in a 6-0 FA Cup third round dismissal of Southampton. The fourth round of the contest that season would see Watford take on the Gunners with Agyemang starting against the Gunners. And while the Golden Girls were trounced 5-1 Agyemang made her mark scoring the team’s only goal in that game last January. Former Watford Women’s boss Damon Lathrope, now assistant manager of the club’s men’s side, told Gooner Fanzine: “Michelle is an absolute super talent. “She’s physically on a different planet, to be honest, and she ticks a lot of boxes. “She’s technically very efficient. She’s a very good finisher, really powerful, quick and mobile.”Agyemang impressed for Arsenal during their pre-season tour in the summer of 2024Credit: GettyThis season has seen Agyemang clock up minutes in the Women’s Super League after joining Brighton on a one-term loan. Read More on The SunBut while the Albion loan ace has made 14 top-flight appearances from the bench she is yet to make her first start in the league for the Seagulls.Having impressed Wiegman’s England, it would be a surprise if the forward does not feature in Brighton’s first eleven before the end of this season. More

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      Sarina Wiegman says Lionesses want ‘revenge’ for surprise loss to Nations League rivals two years ago 

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      SARINA WIEGMAN has challenged England to show their rivals how much better they have become three months before their Euros title defence. The Lioness chief wants her players to avenge a Nations League away loss they suffered against Belgium almost two years ago. Sarina Wiegman and her England players hope to consign Belgium to back-to-back defeats in the Nations League this yearCredit: GettyThe Lionesses are currently unbeaten in the contest and hope to maintain their winning form in the run-up to this year’s EurosCredit: GettyForwards Michelle Agyemang (right) and Jess Naz joined the camp following Alessia Russo’s and Lauren James’s withdrawals due to injuryCredit: GettyOn Tuesday Wiegman’s players will take on the Red Flames at Den Dreef Stadium in a bid to claim back-to-back wins agains their opponents. They also aim to register a third victory from four Nations League group stage game so far this year.  The last time the reigning Euros champions faced their rivals at the ground in the Belgian city of Leuven was back in October 2023. Wiegman, who had guided England to a World Cup final two months earlier, which her team narrowly lost to Spain, reckons her players were “struggling” with their levels back then. Read More Football StoriesBut since the start of this year the Lionesses have gone unbeaten in the Nations League and aim to remain top of their group. Aside from trouncing Belgium 5-0 in Bristol last Friday, world champions Spain were consigned to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley in February. Of her team’s loss to the Red Flames in 2023, the England boss said: “How I experienced that game is that we didn’t play our best.”It was off the back of the World Cup so we were struggling with our levels a bit. Most read in Football”How I see this game is that we kind of want to get revenge on ourselves. “We really want to show we are better than we were then and we can do a lot better.”Tomorrow’s match could see England starlet Michelle Agyemang named on the bench after helping the young Lionesses qualify for this year’s Women’s Under-19s Euros. The Arsenal striker, on loan at Brighton this term, received her first senior call-up, following an injury to club colleague Alessia Russo.During this international window Agyemang played an influential role in helping England’s Under-19s qualify for the European Championship for their age group.  The Seagulls loan ace helped the young Lionesses top their group by scoring during their 5-1 triumph over Austria in the qualifiers on April 5. At club level she has made 14 top-flight appearances off the bench this season and helping Albion climb to fifth in the WSL.With Russo crocked and Lauren James and Chloe Kelly’s withdrawals due to hamstring and foot concerns, Beth Mead is likely to start again for England against Belgium. The Arsenal forward, who was absent from England’s February camp due to injury, provided an assist during their 5-0 win against Belgium last time out. And Niamh Charles reckons Mead is among England’s most influential figures when it comes to helping younger players such as Agyemang who are rising through the international ranksThe Lioness full-back told reporters: “Beth is good at helping the younger players to come out of their shells.Beth Mead is likely to feature in England’s starting line-up against Belgium in LeuvenCredit: Getty”We’re lucky she’s back and she is one of the senior players.Read More on The Sun”We have a few of them that have been to many, many tournaments.”And I think you can see in the dressing room when we bring the younger ones in, how they help them to feel comfortable.” More

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      Sarina Wiegman praises Keira Walsh’s first England goal after wonder strike against Belgium

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      SARINA WIEGMAN hailed Keira Walsh for breaking her England goal duck after the Lionesses thrashed Belgium on Friday night.  The Chelsea ace lashed a shot from distance on her 83rd senior appearance with the visitors falling to a 5-0 defeat in Bristol in the Nations League. Keira Walsh opened her England goals account with a superb strike following a foul on team-mate Jess ParkCredit: PAWalsh’s team-mates Millie Bright and Aggie Beever-Jones also netted with Beever scoring her first senior England goalCredit: GettyAlong with Beth Mead, Lauren James also impressed in England’s attack with both forwards registering assistsCredit: AlamyHer club and country pals Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones were also on target during the convincing victory at Ashton Gate.The win saw the hosts remain top of group three in League A with Spain second following their 3-2 toppling of Portugal.  It also saw them fire another warning to their Euros rivals with the European champions hoping to retain their title when this year’s tournament begins in July in Switzerland. Of her first England goal and the team’s performance, Walsh told ITV Sport: “It took a big deflection but a goal is a goal. Read More Football Stories“All the girls are super happy for me which is a really nice feeling. “I finally got one in the end. A few of them like to remind me how long it’s taken me but I’m over the moon and it’s really good to be off the mark.Following her side’s second win in three Nations League outings this year, Wiegman mentioned her hope to see Walsh have more attempts on goal. The England boss added: “I was very happy for her because we want her to shoot more. Most read in Football“She has a very good shot and we want her to get higher up the pitch which she did. “Now we are joking, it’s our own-goal! But it’s her goal so I’m very happy for her.”Wiegman’s side were without the services of Chloe Kelly with the in-form forward joining her national team’s list of crocked stars. On Thursday the England boss revealed Fran Kirby and Kelly would miss last night’s game due to niggles. And less than two hours before kick-off it was announced Kelly would be returning to her Arsenal, where she is loan from Manchester City for treatment on a foot injury  This means Kelly will also miss England’s away duel with Belgium on Tuesday.  And the Gunners are likely to be sweating on her fitness before their mammoth Champions League first-leg semis clash with Lyon on April 27.  With Kelly absent Wiegman turned to fit-again Beth Mead who played in a front three with striker Alessia Russo and Lauren James. England began brightly causing problems with their threat from set-pieces Forward James was among the players who impressed with few of her crosses into the box wreaking havoc. Her fine lofted delivery found Bronze in the box with the right-back, making her 130th appearance,, glancing a 21st-minute header beyond Belgium keeper Nicky Evrard.Belgium were undone again by another dangerous delivery to a Chelsea and England player.This time centre-back Bright was there to bundle the ball home on the stroke of half-time. The visitors shuffled their deck in the second-half in the hope of upping their game in midfield with Feli Delacauw replacing Kassandra Missipo. And the Belgian midfielder had a strike deflected onto the roof of the net in the 66th minute. Sarina Wiegman will targeting another victory when England visit Belgium in Leuven on April 8 for their second Nations League clash with them this monthCredit: ReutersHowever any hope of the visitors trying to get anything from this game were blown away by cameo appearances from two rising Lionesses stars. Read More on The Sun Beever-Jones made it 3-0 with Mead laying the ball for her to tap in her first senior England goal with 23 minutes of normal time remaining. And Jess Park made it 4-0 soon after with a slotted finish before Walsh’s thumped shot from distance rounded off the rout. More

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      Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson reckon Women’s World Cup in the UK could push game to new level

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      LIONESSES boss Sarina Wiegman says the UK landing the 2035 Women’s World Cup will take the female game to another level.Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced the England-led Home Nations plan was the “one valid bid” to host a tournament set to be expanded to 48 teams.Leah Williamson says the UK hosting a Women’s World Cup could be an opportunity to show home nations care for women’s footballCredit: GettyGianni Infantino revealed the UK was the only bidder that submitted an expression of interest to Fifa before its deadlineCredit: AlamyWindsor Park in Belfast could be among the potential venues for matchesCredit: SportsfileFormal confirmation will come when the official bid book, including up to 16 stadiums across all four countries, is sent to Fifa in November.But that will be a formality and Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to Euro glory in 2022, said a World Cup on British and Northern Irish soil was a game-changer.Wiegman said: “We know with the experience of the Euros how big the game is already here and what that momentum did here in the country but also worldwide. “Hosting another tournament on an even bigger stage would be incredible and will give another boost to the game. Read More Football Stories”It’s an even bigger stage. It’s the biggest female event we have in the world.”England skipper Leah Williamson added: “I’m proud to have been a part of such a good show for women’s football at the Euros. “The commitment from the FA, the conversations that we’re in all the time about how we push the game on –  I think 2022 was a great demonstration of that intent. “To follow up with a World Cup bid says a lot about how much we care about women’s football here on home soil but then also globally as well.”Most read in FootballWilliamson’s former Arsenal and England team-mate Alex Scott says the idea of Women’s World Cup taking place across the UK, brings back memories of London hosting the Olympics 13 years ago. The BBC Sports presenter and pundit said: “When I go back to when we hosted the Olympics in 2012, that was one of our first times walking out Wembley – as Team GB – with 70,000 people there. “That was a historic moment for us, so you fast-forward and you’re thinking about what that can do for people coming into the stadiums, being inspired and cheering on their team.”It would be absolutely epic.”The success of the bid was a victory for the quiet diplomacy of the FA high command, led by chair Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham, who have repaired relations with Infantino after the “One Love” armband row at the 2022 World Cup.Infantino confirmed Fifa plans to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48 – matching the growth of the men’s World Cup – from the 2031 edition which will be held in the USA, with the world body likely to rule all four host nations will qualify automatically.Unlike Euros 2028, when Northern Ireland was unable to come up with a venue big enough, minimum stadium capacities of 20,000 mean Belfast’s Windsor Park can be used for the tournament.A formal list of stadiums will be drafted over the next few months, with Wrexham likely to want to join Cardiff in hosting Welsh matches and Edinburgh and Aberdeen potential Scottish options as well as Glasgow.The last major women’s football tournament to take place on British soil was the 2022 Women’s Euros hostedCredit: GettyGrounds across England will be considered with the FA aiming to ensure it is a national celebration of the women’s game.Read More on The SunBullingham said: “We are honoured to be the sole bidder. Hosting the first Fifa World Cup since 1966 with our Home Nations partners will be very special.”That hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.” More