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13 min: Australia certainly the more composed side. England a little sketchy on the ball. Until Hemp wriggles through a half gap on the right and plays a ball across the box. Wonderful little run. Hemp is at it again down the right but this time her cross from deep is gathered by Arnold.
12 min: It’s very slippy out there. Hunt tumbles over as she clears.
11 min: England are let off the hook. It’s a mistake from Walsh who plays a loose ball across goal and Raso picks it up and charges into the box. She delays just enough to allow the England defence to settle. There isn’t a pass on so the Aussie forward shoots but it’s blocked by Williamson.
10 min: Carpenter can’t find Raso but it’s lovely build up from Gorry in midfield. They’re pressing with aggression as well without the ball. England slow things down at the back.
8 min: Kerr strays offside but what a move from Raso. Gathers on the half turn and fires off a delicious pass that bisected the England line. This is a very bright start from Australia.
7 min: Russo’s ball against the grain can’t find Kelly’s late surge into the box. But that was promising with Russo finding space between the lines.
6 min: The plan is clear from Australia. Fowler snatches a loose ball and immediately looks to launch it long for Kerr. It’s a sloppy attempt and Morgan mops up. Not sure Australia need to be so direct.
5 min: Excellent control from Kerr who brings down a long ball. She goes backwards and Cooney-Cross gathers on the charge. She’s had a bright start. Gorry involved as well. That midfield combination looks promising.
4 min: Walsh ducks inside and makes space for Carter on the outside. It’s a neat move that ends with a cross to Russo but her stabbed effort is tame. Though it’s on target and Arnold has to get low to save it.
3 min: England burst through the middle but Cooney-Cross sticks in a smart challenge and wins the ball back. Walsh has it back and recycles it to Morgan who builds again.
2 min: Australia with most of the ball early on. They’re playing a 4-2-3-1 against England’s 4-3-3.
England in a gorgeous light blue. Australia in trademark gold and green. The opening whistle sounds, the players take the knee against discrimination and away we go!
Three of the England players and three of the Australian players are playing without their names on their backs. That’s in honour of those affected by alzheimer’s and dementia and their loved ones. Just a reminder that this game is providing support for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Maybe I’m being fooled by the stadium lights but it seems to be bucketing down in Brentford. They’re elite players, but if it is raining as much as I think it is, that’ll be a factor. Just something to keep an eye on.
Right then. The teams are filing out of the tunnel. Seb Hutchinson is taking the lead on ITV’s comms. He’s got Emma Hayes for company. Great combo.
With just 100 days to go before a home World Cup, the Aussies seriously need to get their act in order. Joey Lynch saw them lose to Scotland last week and was not impressed, lamenting the same old problems that continue to plague this promising side.
Some good scenes between the two managers just shown on ITV. It is a friendly after all. Let’s see if that bonhomie continues once the opening whistle sounds.
I’ve long been a collector of sports gear (the shirt worn by the 1996 African Cup of Nations winning South Africans is maybe my most prized possession) and I’m fairly certain I’ll be adding the blue number worn by England tonight to my horde.
The contrasting tones. The zig-zagging pattern. The way the material shimmers. It’s a stunner.
But sports kit is more than just clothes to wear on the pitch, especially for women who must contend with so much more than their mail counterparts.
In this engaging piece, Catherine Spencer, a former captain of the Red Roses, offers some food for thought on the matter:
Is it imperative that a sports event leaves behind a legacy? It’s a question worth asking after recent research has shown that England’s Euro 2022 victory failed to impact on girls living in cities across the UK.
This important piece by Suzy Wrack shows that 63% of inner-city girls are unable to name a single Lioness.
If the team is failing to penetrate the psyche of the next generation even when they’re winning, then something clearly isn’t working.
Are your eyes dry? Let me sort that out for you.
Captain Kerr leads Matildas in need of a lift
Football is a team game but it’ll be hard to take your eyes off the Australian captain and Chelsea legend, Sam Kerr. If her and her teammates are to upset the odds and end England’s 31 game unbeaten run, she’ll need to produce a ripper of a performance.
Australia: Arnold, Polkinghorne, Fowler, Yallop, Raso, Gorry, Kerr (c), Carpenter, Grant, Cooney-Cross, Hunt
Replacements: Williams, Nevin, Luik, Vine, Micah, Crummer, Siemsen, Wheeler, Chidiac, Whyman, Sayer, McNamara
England release team with just eight players
Notice anything different about this team sheet? It’s not just that England are introducing their new – and can I say, brilliant – blue kit for this game.
It’s that only eight players have been named on social media. Don’t worry, Sarina Wiegman isn’t disrespecting her opponents. There’ll be a full compliment on the field later. It’s that England, like Australia, are honouring those who suffer from alzheimers and dementia as well as their family members.
England: Earps, Bronze, Carter, Walsh, Williamson (c), Morgan, Kelly, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Hemp
Replacements: Le Tissier, Roebuck, Wubben-Moy, Charles, Nobbs, James, Coombs, Daly, Park, Hampton, Robinson, Parker.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Hello and welcome to the live blog of this so-called ‘friendly’ between the European champions and the hosts of this year’s World Cup. Don’t believe the branding. Oh sure, at first glance this one doesn’t count for much beyond bragging rights and the chance for both teams to tinker with a couple of moving parts before the big event this summer, but look a little deeper and there’s plenty at stake in west London tonight.
England are riding high after their Finalissima triumph on Thursday which extended their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 31 games.
As for the Matildas, they’re needing a lift following a 1-0 reverse to Scotland on Friday. That defeat saw Tony Gustavsson’s side waste a boatload of chances which doesn’t bode well for their prospects tonight, or indeed a home World Cup that kicks off in exactly 100 days.
Beyond xG and corner counts is something far more important. Tonight’s game is raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society as it seeks to “devastation caused by dementia, with dedicated support and life-changing treatments”. So whatever the result, this one should be special.
My name is Dan. I’m chuffed to be here. If you fancy getting in touch with anything humorous, insightful, provoking or meaningful – or just want to say hi – then please do so.
Kick off at 7:45 BST. Teams and other bits to follow shortly.
English (US)