SheBelieves Cup win sparks belief
England Women, who are currently ranked 4th in the world, won the SheBelieves Cup for the first time earlier this week.
In the 3 games of the 4 team tournament, the Lionesses beat Brazil, drew with the United States and the beat Japan 3-0 to take the win; since they did not lose any of their fixtures.
England and Canberra United defender, Laura Bassett, did not go to the tournament but did express the significance of the win.
Bassett watches with retired Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott
Lioness boss, Phil Neville, has said the future of the women’s national team looks amazing due to the youth set up; a set up that resembles Gareth Southgate’s mens team, who reached last year’s World Cup semi-finals.
Talking to BBC Radio 5 live, Neville said:
We’ve got players that have dominated youth tournaments for the last two, three or four years”.
“I think there is a generation of footballers coming through on both sides that can dominate world football.
“It’s not just a manager who’s had a good tournament shouting his mouth off, it’s actual facts,” he added.
“We have a youth system now on both codes that has been successful and used to winning things. Probably me and Gareth Southgate have got the best job because we’re then getting them at their peak years.”
“I truly believe that. You look at the men’s and women’s side, we’ve probably got 8 to 10 world-class players in my women’s senior team.”