England got off to an encouraging start in their Samsung Women's Champions Trophy campaign in Sydney today (Saturday). Playing the Dutch, England drew first blood when Katie Long (pictured) scored the first goal of the tournament after 16 minutes. Taking the 1-0 lead into the break, Alex Danson netted England's second shortly after the restart.
Despite continued pressure from the Dutch and some excellent goalkeeping by Beth Storry, it was not until the closing 10 minutes that the Dutch managed to crack open England's defence. First Marilyn Agliotti scored from open play and then, with seconds left on the clock, Maartje Paumen scored the equaliser. Final score 2-2.
An excellent start against the world's number one, and possibly the upset of the tournament. England play Germany tomorrow, a side with an excellent pedigree but one England know they can beat.
ENGLAND SQUAD AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS: Beth Storry (GK) and Kate Walsh (both SCHC, The Netherlands), Natalie Seymour (Canterbury), Chloe Strong (Pinoke, The Netherlands), Laura Unsworth and Nicola White (both Loughborough Students), Sally Walton and Joe Ellis (both Bowdon Hightown), Ashleigh Ball (Slough), Susie Gilbert (University of Birmingham), Helen Richardson (Den Bosch, The Netherlands), Chloe Rogers, Kerry Williams and Katie Long (all Leicester), Alex Danson (Klein Zwitserland, The Netherlands) and Becky Herbert (Kampong, The Netherlands). Did not play: Becky Duggan (GK) (Trojans) and Gemma Darrington (Leicester).
