LIONESSES NOTEBOOK: All the talking points as England beat Haiti 1-0

07/22/2023

LIONESSES NOTEBOOK: Ella Toone spent more time out wide than in the No. 10 role during England’s 1-0 win over Haiti… PLUS, why Brisbane is missing out on the World Cup spirit

England kick-started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a win over Haiti
Georgia Stanway scored from the spot to break the deadlock for the Lionesses
REPORT: Sarina Wiegman’s side narrowly beat minnows Haiti in World Cup

England kick-started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a less-than convincing win over Haiti on Saturday.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses triumphed 1-0 at the Suncorp Stadium thanks to Georgia Stanway’s spot-kick in the first-half.

The Bayern Munich midfielder was spared her blushes after initially seeing her penalty saved by the Haiti goalkeeper, before the referee said for it to be retaken.

That wasn’t the only point of controversy from the afternoon, with plenty to talk about both on and off the pitch.

And so, here, Mail Sport’s KATHRYN BATTE talks you through all the best bits from England’s World Cup opening win.

England secured a 1-0 win over Haiti in their Women’s World Cup opener on Saturday

The Lionesses made tough work of their outing at the Suncorp Stadium for their first match

BRISBANE MISSING WORLD CUP SPIRIT

With Australia set to visit Brisbane for their second game, you would have thought World Cup fever would be starting to hit the city by now.

But instead of decking out the centre of town with promotion of the Matildas, there was instead a huge Olympic Games sign by the city hall yesterday as well as a small wheelchair basketball court.

Brisbane will host the Games in 2032 and despite being nine years away, they seem more keen to promote that than the on-going football tournament. Perhaps they are waiting for England to leave town.

WRIGHT WATCHES ON

The Lionesses were cheered on by one of their biggest fans last night, with Arsenal legend and pundit Ian Wright watching from the stands.

Wright has long been a supporter of women’s football and has promised to watch a number of players in action at this tournament.

Wright, though, was not impressed by the number of signs in the stands asking for players’ shirts. ‘We have to ban those signs asking for player shirts!!!’ Wright said on Twitter.

Ian Wright (pictured in September 2022) has been a strong supporter of the Lionesses and continued that by attending their Women’s World Cup opener

TOONE IN THE TEN

Ella Toone started in the No 10 role for England last night but spent more time out wide than she did in the middle.

Nearly all of Toone’s successful passes came on the left hand side, with just three completed in the central area.

There had been debate before kick-off as to whether Sarina Wiegman may have used Toone as an impact substitute, as she did during the Euros, and started Lauren James in the No 10.

SUNCORP GETS FLOODED

The Suncorp Stadium is by far one of the best venues at this World Cup.

Home to soccer team Brisbane Roar and Rugby League side Brisbane Broncos, the stadium has twice been severely flooded – in 2011 and 2022, with rectification works taking place at the end of last year.

Ella Toone was deployed in the No. 10 role but spent the majority of the match out wide

CRUSADERS IN OZ

It is not often you see fans dressed as crusaders at women’s matches but one England supporter decked out in full costume was picked up on the big screen before kick-off.

FIFA had told fans in Qatar the outfits were ‘offensive’ and were threatened with bans.

NO PHYSICAL PROGRAMMES

Programme collectors would have been disappointed last night, with no option for fans to buy a physical copy for yesterday’s game.

Members of the press could access a programme and team sheet digitally but no printed versions were available.

England fans would not have been able to purchase a physical programme from the match

MIC’D UP REFS

It has been a unique experience to hear referees announce their reasoning for decisions following VAR reviews.

The on-field officials have microphones attached to them and have to explain why they have reached their outcome to supporters in the stadium.

Emikar Calderas, the referee for England’s win over Haiti, could have done with being louder. It was difficult to hear the official over the cheers of fans in the stadium. The new addition, though, seems to have been a popular one overall.

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