Bethany England was handed a start by Phil Neville in England Women’s second game at the SheBelieves Cup tournament in the United States on Sunday.
Millie Bright also began for the Lionesses who beat Japan thanks to a late goal.In-form Chelsea striker England had begun on the bench for the first game, a defeat by the host nation in which she was introduced late on. This time she played the first 69 minutes although her club colleague Carly Telford was left out with Neville intent on using all three goalkeepers in the squad across the three games.Bright, who retained her place in defence, played the whole of today’s game against Japan.Bethany England played well in general although her performance lacked a goal. She had a shot saved by the keeper’s leg in the first half and struck another straight at her after Japan had given the ball away.Japan hit the post early on and went close in the first half when England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck saved well.The winner came when Ellen White scored eight minutes from time, the Man City striker turning in a centre from another substitute Toni Duggan.England conclude the invitational tournament with a match against Spain on Wednesday.On Saturday, in a match held in Spain as part of the Pinatar Cup tournament, Erin Cuthbert played the full match for Scotland in what proved to be a 1-0 win over Iceland.
Cuthbert went close with a drive from the edge of the box before Birmingham City’s Abbi Grant scored the winner early in the second half, and the Chelsea forward shot just over the bar later in the game.With Scotland having beaten Ukraine in their first game (during which Cuthbert remained on the bench) and with other results going their way, they are already guaranteed first place before they play their third match against Northern Ireland.