James Out To Replicate Wales Heroics In Cup Semi FinalAngharad James hopes she can take her World Cup qualifying heroics with Wales into Everton’s FA Women’s Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
The midfielder played the full 90 minutes as Wales held on to top spot in Group A with a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s against Phil Neville’s England. Indeed, had Tash Harding’s close range effort been deemed to have crossed the line then Wales could have secured an even greater result over the world number two ranked Lionesses.
Nevertheless, it was a result Dragons Head Coach Jayne Ludlow described as the “best in their history” and James admits it is a massive confidence boost going into the Toffees’ cup semi-final against Arsenal next week.
“To think that they are ranked second in the world then go away from home and perform the way we did just shows how good a result it was,” she told evertonfc.com. “We made it difficult for them despite giving them every respect that they deserve. To be able to come here and get a point is great for us.
“It was difficult for us but the game plan was to stop them playing and reduce the spaces that they pick up so well in midfield and out wide. We did that really well and while it was very tiring, it was worth it in the end.
“England are a great team but we play those players week in and week out in the WSL. We know what they are capable of but we executed our game plan perfectly. We even could have nicked it had that shot from Tash gone over the line. A few people have said it looked like it was over the line so to think we could have come away with the three points – that’s great. But a point is brilliant.
“For Everton, we have our semi final next week so it was important for me to keep getting the minutes and stay ticking over. I played some of the Arsenal girls on Friday so it was nice to get a feel for how they play.
“Hopefully we can do the same as Wales and make sure we are tough to play against and hard to break down. If we can do that, it will give us a platform to go on and nick it.”
Wales could surrender top spot in the group if England earn a point when they travel to Bosnia on Tuesday to play their game in hand.
Yet with 11 points from five games, Ludlow’s side are progressing well in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in France in 2019. For James, though, there are still areas to work on.
“It’s looking good for us in qualifying so far,” she added. “We have yet to concede a goal in the five games that we have played and that’s been excellent for us. What we strive towards is being defensively strong and difficult to play against.
“We can improve on our attacking play but that comes from everyone. The hard work we put in defensively makes it difficult sometimes to then switch to attack, but there is a lot still to work on.
“As a nation, we believe in ourselves and in everyone that stepped onto that pitch. As long as we have that in the group, and our coaching staff believes in us, we are not fussed about what other people think. We know as a nation that we can believe things and what we are going to do.”
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