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      Kirby hopes for repeat of ‘dream’ FA Final Cup goal at Wembley against Arsenal in trophy duel between title rivals

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      FRAN KIRBY says scoring at Wembley felt like a ‘dream’ – as Chelsea beat Arsenal to clinch the 2018 FA Cup. And the England ace is relishing the chance to repeat that feat when the sides face off at the stadium later today, live on BBC1.
      Fran Kirby hopes to score against Arsenal at Wembley after netting against the Gunners in the 2018 FA Cup finalCredit: REUTERS
      The two WSL title chasers will battle out in this year’s delayed FA Cup Final, with the game pushed back to December due to the Covid pandemic.
      And Chelsea will be hoping for a rerun of their 3-1 Cup win in 2018, with Kirby netting their third goal.
      The Blues ace, 28, said: “Wembley is a stadium you dream about scoring in when you’re growing up.
      “To be able to do it is a dream come true. I really enjoyed that final back in 2018.
      “I recall that moment they scored in the second half and there was a bit of pressure with me thinking are they going to come back and get another one.
      “But I was really pleased to score there, it was an honour.”
      Scoring for the Blues has not been too much of an issue for Kirby of late.

      The playmaker passed the 100-goal mark for the WSL champions in November.
      Her brace in the 5-0 demolition of Birmingham saw her become Chelsea Women’s all-time top scorer.
      And it’s an achievement that the Reading-born forward is particularly proud of following her battles with injuries and the heart condition pericarditis.
      Kirby said: “I think a lot of my time at this club has been cut short because of injury and illness.
      “So for me to be able to score 100 goals is really, really special.
      “I think from everyone’s reaction because you can see how happy people were for me. I was super proud to do it.”
      Among those who will be at Wembley cheering on Kirby and her team-mates is the former Blues skipper Katie Chapman.
      The ex-Fulham, Charlton and Arsenal ace, who played in her first FA Cup final at 14, will be among the Cup-winning captains being celebrated at Wembley later as part of the contest’s 50th anniversary.
      Katie Chapman says it was daunting to play the Cup final at Wembley in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Emma Hayes’ side defeated Notts County 1-0 with Ji So-yun netting the winner.
      And the London-born Blues star has fond memories of the moment she made history as the first skipper to lift the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley.
      Chapman said: “It was quite daunting, and it was also really exciting because it’s the home of English football.
      “Before then female players had never had the opportunity to play the Cup final there and to have it at Wembley every year now is fantastic for the women’s game.
      “Being the captain, my mindset was, I want to be the one walking up those stairs to pick up the trophy.”
      A win for Chelsea would see them achieve a delayed treble following their WSL and League Cup triumphs earlier this year.
      But a victory for their London rivals Arsenal would see them pick up their 15th FA Cup trophy.
      Arsenal will be hoping to win their first major trophy under Jonas Eidevall at the FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      It would also be a first under new manager Jonas Eidevall. The club currently holds the record for the highest number of trophy wins in this competition.
      The Swede, 38, spoke about his fear of black cats when asked, ahead of the final, if he had any superstitions.
      Eidevall joked: “I do have some superstitions. I don’t like letting black cats cross my way . . . ever.
      “If Emma Hayes sees us arrive, she will probably buy a thousand cats with all the money they have at Chelsea.
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      Chelsea boss Hayes says FA Cup prize money for women’s teams isn’t ‘where it should be’ ahead of historic final

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      EMMA HAYES reckons Women’s FA Cup prize money is nowhere near what ‘it needs to be’ as Chelsea gear up to battle Arsenal for the trophy.And the Blues boss wants more attention paid to equal access to football and the struggles of the game’s pioneers.
      Emma Hayes and her Chelsea side hope to win their third FA Cup on SundayCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea take on Arsenal at Wembley with Jonas Eidevall hoping to win his first major trophy with the GunnersCredit: Getty
      Hayes was speaking before the delayed finale of this year’s contest – which comes just over 50 years on from the first one in 1971 when Southampton Ladies defeated Stewarton Thistle.
      Covid restrictions saw the showdown between the Gunners and Blues moved to this Sunday with a record crowd of between 45,000 and 47,000 expected at Wembley.
      Hayes, 44, said: “Why is it we don’t get more prize money? We need more being invested so it can trickle all the way down.
      “We need more prize money for everyone, not just the winning team.
      “I don’t think the prize money is anywhere near where it needs to be.
      “It’s the same with TV money that journey has begun but when it comes to prize money, I don’t think it’s anywhere near what it should be.
      “It is nowhere near what the men’s game is.”
      Hayes’s comments come in a week in which Clapton FC resorted to launching a Crowdfunder to cover travel and accommodation costs for their players in the third round of this season’s FA Cup.

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      The team became the first ever seventh tier women’s side to reach this stage of the contest in November.
      However mounting costs for the club – who say they receive no financial support – have proved to be a concern.
      On their Crowdfunder page, the team say they have earned £2,900 for their four wins in the contest with the club set to play Plymouth Argyle next.
      This is in stark contrast to the £65,629 a team would earn when reaching the third round of the men’s competition.
      Hayes added: “If we want to invest in our game further down, we need that money need that money to provide more opportunity at a grassroots level.”
      Chelsea will take on Arsenal at Wembley precisely 100 years on from the day the FA banned women’s football at its grounds in the belief the game was ‘quite unsuitable for females.’ 
      To have the game on a poignant date in the women’s football calendar will serve as a reminder that this game won’t be banned again. Never.Emma Hayes
      Before that, the game was becoming increasingly popular amongst fans.
      On Boxing Day in 1920 more than 53,000 crammed into Goodison to see Dick, Kerr Ladies take on St Helen’s Ladies in a charity match for soldiers wounded during World War One.
      Hayes hopes the anniversary of the ban which put the brakes on the game’s development, will lead to greater recognition of the work of the sport’s pioneers.
      The Kingsmeadow boss added: “It’s about the recognition of everybody that’s come before.
      “I think to have the game on a poignant date in the women’s football calendar will serve as a reminder that this game won’t be banned again. Never.
      “We’re two fabulous teams both vying to win, but the FA Cup final is about history.”
      Hayes team could seal a belated treble should they win on Sunday.
      But while Pernille Harder is fit the Blues chief revealed she is not expecting Maren Mjelde to feature in the final.
      Hayes said: “I think we will continue to bring her back slowly. She still needs a little bit more time.
      “But Maren for the long term is far more valuable than Maren immediately.”
      Pernille Harder could make a return to Chelsea against Arsenal in the FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
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      England boss Wiegman reckons high-scoring defeats are not good for development of women’s game

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      SARINA WIEGMAN thinks top sides demolishing minnows in women’s international games is harmful to the sport’s development.  The Lionesses boss was reflecting on her team’s 20-0 crushing of their opponents, the highest-scoring win EVER for an English national side. 
      England recorded the biggest ever international win with their 20-0 thumping of LatviaCredit: Getty
      The whopping scoreline comes in a month in which five teams fell to double-figure drubbings in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.
      Results include Belgium’s merciless 19-0 thumping of Armenia with the team ranked 109 places below their victors in Fifa’s rankings. 
      And it prompted questions on whether lower-ranked sides – new to international competition – should have to pre-qualify to battle top teams for a World Cup spot.
      Wiegman said: “You want competitive games and these are not competitive games. 
      “You want to develop the well-developed countries already and the countries that are not that far. I think we have to look at it. I’ve said that before.
      “In every country, you want to develop the women’s game but I don’t think it’s good that the scores now are so high. 
      “I know that has the attention of the federations and Uefa and Fifa, and that’s good because I don’t think a 20-0 game is good for the development of anyone.”

      Wiegman’s sentiments on hefty drubbings on the world stage were echoed by ex-England forward Lianne Sanderson.
      And the football pundit suggested it may take time to quell negative stereotypes and comments in response to high scoring victories in women’s games. 
      In a comment published on Twitter, Sanderson wrote: “I don’t know what the answers are because you can only play and beat what’s in front of you, so well done England – but 20-0 isn’t good for the women’s game at all. 
      “Unfortunately, it’s going to take a while to shake stereotypes because whenever there is a high-scoring women’s game, people react differently to if it’s a men’s game. 
      “Or if a goalkeeper makes a mistake people again react differently. That’s just the reality, unfortunately.”
      England had four players notch up hat-tricks in their defeat of Latvia at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
      Ellen White was among the quartet who bagged three goals to take her international tally to 48.
      Ellen White became the Lionesses all-time top scorer during England’s defeat of LatviaCredit: Rex
      The Manchester City striker made history by breaking Kelly Smith’s record of 46 goals become to Lionesses all-time leading scorer. 
      The hefty victory comes five weeks after they beat their opponents 11-0 away. 
      And it left Wiegman eagerly looking ahead to a round-robin February tournament with the Lionesses facing Germany, Spain and Olympic Gold winners Canada. 
      Wiegman added: “We really need some top-level games now which we’re going to have because then we’ll really know where we are. 
      “I do think we have done very well and we’re doing very well but we know we need those high-level games to really know where we stand.
      Northern Ireland beat Macedonia 9-0 at their Seaview home groundCredit: Getty
      “I’m really positive about that. But we have to see.”
      Elsewhere in Group D Northern Ireland thrashed North Macedonia 9-0 in front of a full house of their home fans at Seaview. 
      The game, which followed an 11-0 away rout of their rivals, saw Liverpool’s Rachel Furness surpassing David Healy to become Northern Ireland’s all-time top scorer with 38 goals. 
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      Wiegman urges England to be ‘aggressive’ against Latvia as team prepare for clash without Parris

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      SARINA WIEGMAN wants England to show no mercy in front of goal against Latvia when the two sides clash in Doncaster later. And the head coach praised Ellen White’s consistency with the Man City ace two strikes short of becoming the Lionesses’ all-time top scorer.
      Sarina Wiegman’s England side will play Latvia next following their 1-0 win against AustriaCredit: Getty
      Wiegman’s aces face Latvia in their second World Cup qualifier this month and following a 10-0 thrashing of their opponents back in October. 
      The England chief, 52, told reporters: “It’s about just getting our game to the next level again.
      “So, speed up the game, have a high ball tempo, but also being patient, having runs behind the defence – we’re just putting emphasis on those things all the time. 
      “And then in the final third, stay aggressive, keep scanning and composed, and of course, ruthless, to get the ball in the net.
      “The team has to collaborate really well, stay connected and co-operate well so we can create many, many chances and score these goals.”
      The hosts, who have opened up a five-point gap at the top of their qualifying group, will be without the services of Nikita Parris. 
      The Arsenal forward, 27, has returned home from the camp for a few days’ rest amid worries of her being overplayed. 

      The former Lyon star could be set to feature for the Gunners on Sunday when they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final. 
      On Parris’ departure, Wiegman added: “Nikita has had so much load during the last two years, from (her move from) Lyon to England she hardly had any rest. 
      “We had some chats with her, also with the medical staff, and after the game we decided, together with her, it was good for her to have a few days off.”
      Nikita Parris has returned home from England’s camp amid worries of the forward being overplayedCredit: Rex
      Ellen White could be in line to start against Latvia with the forward aiming to break Kelly Smith’s all-time international scoring record of 46 goals. 
      On White potentially becoming England’s highest ever scorer, Wiegman said: “She has shown so much consistency, the way she lives football, that’s the only way you can do things like this.
      “It would be really nice if she scores a record goal, but we just have to score goals – it doesn’t really matter who scores the goals, as long as we score a lot of them.”
      The duel between England and Latvia, who have lost all four qualifiers they have played, will take place at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium, 
      The League Two club’s home has also been used by the Doncaster Rovers Belles, a team that has produced several top WSL players including Lionesses skipper Millie Bright.
      Former Doncaster Belle Millie Bright will skipper England against Latvia at Keepmoat StadiumCredit: Getty
      Wiegman added: “I learned a little about Doncaster – the Belles of course – about their tremendous history and them winning prizes in their earlier years. 
      “What (their past) players have done there makes the next generation take the next step. 
      “We should always be thankful for the generation of (England) players that have come through there.” 
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      England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman takes her first training session with the Lionesses More

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      England Under-17s coach Lydia Bedford reportedly a target for Leicester City Women’s job after Jonathan Morgan’s exit

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      LEICESTER CITY are reportedly considering Lydia Bedford as a candidate for their manager’s job following the sacking of Jonathan Morgan.The England Women’s Under-17 coach is thought to be among the frontrunners for the role, according to Telegraph Sport. 
      Lydia Bedford could be in line to replace Jonathan Morgan (pictured) after Leicester City parted company with the coachCredit: Getty
      Brent Hills, the FA’s ex-head of women’s development, is also thought to be a possible contender with the pair believed to be the Foxes’ leading targets for the position. 
      The Telegraph claims Bedford is the preferred choice for the manager’s post with officials hopeful that Hills could take up a supporting job. 
      Meanwhile, former Foxes and England striker Emile Heskey, – the club’s women’s football development chief – is managing the training of their WSL side as recruitment takes place. 
      And it is thought Manchester United Women’s academy boss Charlotte Healy could also be in line for a coaching role if Bedford and Hills are hired. 
      Leicester, who play Arsenal next, sacked former boss Morgan on Thursday ending his seven-year management of the women’s team.
      His departure followed a tough eight-game winless run in the top tier with the club yet to pick up a point in the division.

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      The Foxes boss led the side to a historic promotion to the WSL following their triumph in the Championship last season.
      During his tenure, Morgan, who took charge in 2014, led his team to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 2020 and to the semis of last year’s League Cup. 
      Leicester are currently bottom of the table in the top-flight but are just a point behind Birmingham City.
      Blues are set to host Manchester City after the international break in what will be Darren Carter’s first game in charge of the side.
      Meanwhile, Leicester face a daunting away duel with league leaders who are yet to lose a game in the WSL this term. 
      The Foxes and Birmingham will then go head-to-head on December 19 in what could be a pivotal match in the battle to avoid relegation this season.
      Emile Heskey is currently coordinating the training of Leicester City WomenCredit: PA
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      England 1 Austria 0: Lionesses ace White bags winner in landmark 100th game as Wiegman’s side beat Austria

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      ELLEN WHITE feels ‘super lucky’ to become an England centurion as the Lionesses thwarted stubborn Austria in a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light. The forward’s match-winning strike on her 100th game saw her move a goal short of Kelly Smith’s all-time record with the hosts unbeaten in five World Cup qualifiers. 
      Ellen White moved one goal shy of equalling Kelly Smith’s all-time record of 46 international goalsCredit: Zuma Press
      White netted England’s winner in the Lionesses World Cup qualifier clash with AustriaCredit: Getty
      Before the game White – who has netted 45 times for the team –  was presented with a special jersey to mark her milestone landmark appearance. 
      And it was fitting the Manchester City star bagged the winner against the team she scored against during her first senior performance in 2010. 
      White, 32, said: “It’s come full circle for me in terms of making my debut against Austria and then my 100th cap. 
      “I’m incredibly proud to have represented the country 100 times. 
      “I feel super lucky to be part of this team and be surrounded by such talented players and for us to get the win, that was the main goal. 
      “It was a really tough game in tough conditions and I’m really proud to have helped the team win.”
      England’s victory saw them strengthen their grip on pole position in the Group D battle for a 2023 World Cup spot. 
      And White’s strike saw the Lionesses consign the visitors to their first defeat in the qualifiers with her side yet to concede against any of their rivals. 

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      Sarina Wiegman, 52, added: “I’ve gotten to know Ellen as a real professional player, a terrific team player with the consistency she brings and still she wants to become better every day. 
      “If you have 100 caps, it means you’ve been so consistent. “You also see that everyone is so happy that she scored. 
      “But as long as we keep scoring goals then we’re happy and if she will break that record we will be very happy for her.
      Wiegman predicted a tougher test for England following their 4-0 defeat of Northern Ireland and 8-0 and 10-0 hammerings of North Macedonia, Latvia and Luxembourg. 
      And Austria were keen to give them one at various moments although the hosts had the strongest chances. 
      Fran Kirby was a persistent threat in attack along with Beth MeadCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Fran Kirby came close to teeing up Lauren Hemp in the 14th minute with the winger narrowly missing the chance to bury a cross at the back post.
      England were denied moments later with a corner finding its way to Beth Mead with a high boot from Laura Weinrother thwarting her chance to score.
      The hosts turned up the pressure around the half-hour mark with Hemp forcing a quality save from Manuela Zinsberger.
      And they looked set to bag a goal when Mead’s pass glanced narrowly over the head of White before the England hotshot bundled the ball home following a Kirby cross. 
      The second half saw Austria up the ante forcing two stunning stops from Mary Earps. 
      I do think now we also need to be exposed to top, top countries and top opponents which will occur in February. Then we can really see where we areSarina Wiegman
      First from a Barbara Dunst shot a leaping one-handed save from the keeper in the 49th minute. 
      And then from Maria Plattner’s strike with Earps pushing the ball over the bar moments later with England caught short in defence. 
      Wiegman added: “Those two saves were difference makers because we’re 1-0 (up). She needed to have a very explosive action two times in a row. She made the difference.”
      The hosts had a penalty shout waved away after Austria skipper Carina Wenninger appeared to bring Mead down in the box around the 60th minute. 
      Skipper Millie Bright looked set to double England’s lead following a 67th-minute corner before the ball was headed out of danger. 
      And a last-ditch tackle denied White a chance to equal Kelly Smith’s record tally of 46 international goals before the win was sealed ahead of a clash with Latvia. 
      The result means England have won all five games played under Wiegman since her September arrival. 
      The England boss said: “I’m really proud of the performances. This was one of the hardest games I think. 
      “But I do think now we also need to be exposed to top, top countries and top opponents which will occur in February. Then we can really see where we are.”
      Mary Earps pulled off two quality saves to protect England’s slim leadCredit: Focus Images
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      Wiegman expecting tough Austria test and hails White’s ‘amazing journey’ to 100 England international caps

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      SARINA WIEGMAN hopes Ellen White will ‘have fun’ when she makes her landmark 100th senior England appearance.  But the Lionesses boss warned helping the striker break Kelly Smith’s all-time scoring record will not be the team’s priority against Austria. 
      Ellen White is in line to make her 100th senior appearance for England when they play Austria – and is close to breaking Kelly Smith;s all-time goal record for the LionessesCredit: Reuters
      England face their sternest World Cup qualifier test against their rivals at the Stadium of Light with both sides unbeaten in Group D after four games.
      And their upcoming clashes in Sunderland and Doncaster could see White surpass Smith’s tally of 46 goals with the Manchester City ace, 32, just three short of equalling this figure.
      On whether the Lionesses will be looking to help White break the record, Wiegman, 52, said: “It doesn’t matter who scores, we just have to score goals as a team. 
      “We’ll be really happy when she breaks the record, but it’s not our main point to have Ellen score. We have to score the goals.
      “Ellen is focusing on the game and it is going to be a special one. Hopefully, she will have a great performance for herself and for the team. 
      “She has had an amazing journey (in the game) and to reach 100 caps is so impressive.” 

      Skipper Millie Bright added: “Ellen is fully focused on the game and is a true professional. Everything she does is for the team.
      “Obviously, it’s something that will be in the back of her mind, but her focus is 100 per cent on the team and going out and putting on a good performance for the fans.”
      Austria, who are second and two points behind England in Group D, have won three and drawn one of their four qualifiers this year netting 21 goals.
      Current players in the side that reached the 2017 Euros semi-finals include Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger and Hoffenheim striker Nicole Billa. 
      But the visitores will be without skipper Viktoria Schnaderbeck with the Gunners centre-back currently out of action with an injury. 
      Sarina Wiegman expects Austria to be a tougher challenge for England followingCredit: Getty
      Meanwhile, the Lionesses will be without stand-in skipper Leah Williamson due to hamstring problems with Bright set to captain the side in their next two games. 
      A win for Austria would see them leapfrog England to the top of Group D with Wiegman’s aces facing Latvia at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday. 
      The team, currently ranked the 21st best side in the world, will be a stiffer test for England with the visitors yet to lose a qualifier clash.
      Wiegman added: “They have a style of play that’s very organised. I expect a tougher game than any other we’ve played so far.”
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      Shiels says Northern Ireland win was for George Best after team’s 11-0 thrashing of North Macedonia

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      KENNY SHIELS dedicated Northern Ireland’s record-breaking drubbing of North Macedonia to football legend George Best.Shiels’ side crushed their rivals 11-0 – with their win coinciding with the 16th anniversary of the death of the Manchester United icon.
      Northern Ireland thrashed North Macedonia 11-0 to go level on points with Austria in their World Cup qualifying groupCredit: Press Eye
      Kenny Shiels says Northern Ireland’s triumph was a win for George Best, on the 16th anniversary of his deathCredit: Empics
      The legendary winger, one of the best players ever, made 37 appearances and scored nine goals for Northern Ireland.
      And the match, which was the fifth of their World Cup qualifying campaign, saw Rachel Furness join David Healy as Northern Ireland’s all-time top scorer on 36 goals.
      An ecstatic Shiels said: “I thought [the match] was controlled really well by the girls. Before it started, we said, ‘Let’s do it for George’.
      “He was our hero, and he wore the No 11 shirt when he played for us.
      “We’ve done it in the 11th month, we’ve scored 11 goals and so all of that is resonating with me.
      “It’s fantastic and I hope he is watching us up there to see that we’re doing it for Northern Ireland because he was one of our heroes, if not the hero.
      “That’s been in my inner thoughts. Try and get 11 and get a message up to George.”

      Before the game, Northern Ireland midfielder Sarah McFadden said players intended to approach the match with ‘no ego’
      By half-time, the Durham star and her team-mates were 6-0 up before notching up another five.
      And the team had six different goal scorers with Rebecca McKenna, Lauren Wade, Kirsty McGuiness and Birmingham’s Rebecca Holloway all on target.
      And Everton’s Simone Magill bagged four goals while Liverpool ace Furness netted a hat-trick.
      The scoreline could have been far bigger for the visitors, who crashed the woodwork three times and saw Furness miss a first-half spot-kick.
      Rachel Furness netted a hat-trick for Northern IrelandCredit: Press Eye
      Shiels’ aces brushed their opponents aside in the Macedonian capital Skopje in the third win of their campaign for a 2023 World Cup spot.
      Northern Ireland are set to host their rivals at home in the second game of their qualifier double-header this month.
      The match will be played in front of a full house at their Seaview ground on November 29.   
      Shiels added: “We play them again Monday and it will be a total totally different ballgame.
      “Let’s bring it on The Green and White army will be there as well.”
      Simone Magill and Kirsty McGuiness were both on target for their teamCredit: Press Eye
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