Rachel Daly frustrated to start England’s opening World Cup game on the bench – Soccer News

Rachel Daly admits it was troublesome for her to have been benched in favour of Alessia Russo for England’s World Cup opener in opposition to Haiti on Saturday.

Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty secured the Lionesses a nervy 1-0 victory at Brisbane Stadium to start their quest for a maiden World Cup, however they haven’t scored in open play since Ella Toone netted in opposition to Brazil in April’s Finalissima at Wembley.

The Russo-or-Daly dilemma was a much-debated subject forward of the 2023 finals, with Tottenham’s Beth England additionally amongst boss Sarina Wiegman’s attacking choices.

Requested how she felt about her supervisor’s choice, Daly mentioned: “I feel anybody can be (annoyed). Nobody is pleased to take a seat on the bench. If you’re, then you aren’t in the correct place, not in the correct profession.

“It’s a tricky place for Sarina to be, to select the staff. I respect her selections and I’ll assist Alessia all the way in which and clearly I do know Beth will do the identical.”

Versatile Daly began at left-back for each recreation of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning run final summer time, however has at all times performed as a striker at membership degree and was chosen as a ahead for this event.

The Harrogate native’s 22 objectives for Aston Villa within the 2022-23 Ladies’s Tremendous League season had been sufficient to safe her the Golden Boot, whereas she additionally completed joint first for penalties transformed with three.

England was the WSL’s third-best scorer with 14, whereas Russo was joint fifth on 10 with Manchester United team-mate Leah Galton.

Saturday’s Group D contest, in opposition to a Haiti facet 49 locations beneath the FIFA world quantity four-ranked Lionesses, didn’t do a lot to assuage fears about England’s attacking kind.

Whereas Daly has full confidence in Wiegman, she didn’t rule out the potential for attempting to persuade her boss to provide her a shot in certainly one of England’s two remaining group video games in opposition to Denmark or China.

Daly, who got here on for Russo within the 76th minute on Saturday, mentioned: “I feel that’s the fantastic thing about having a aggressive squad. I feel all people is digging out for a place. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in a number of positions. I wouldn’t prefer to be in her footwear, clearly making such large selections coming into tournaments.

“However she’s a implausible supervisor, we respect all of her selections. It proved tonight that it really works, so we’re pleased.

“I feel motion might be certainly one of my strengths. I simply tried to come back on and make a nuisance of myself for the defenders, stepping in off the again of Alessia’s large shift. She did brilliantly once more, and I’m simply prepared once I’m referred to as upon.”

Focus switches to Denmark. pic.twitter.com/792BAhRJB0

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 23, 2023

The retirements of striker Ellen White and midfielder Jill Scott final summer time mixed with accidents to Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead meant there have been 5 variations between Wiegman’s line-up on Saturday and her unchanged Euro 2022 starters, whereas Daly’s place change additionally created a gap within the again line.

All that change, Daly speculated, might have factored into why England didn’t look close to their dominant greatest in a match many anticipated they might win handily.

She added: “I imply you might put it right down to a lot of issues, however I feel we’re fairly a brand new facet, a comparatively new facet. We’ve got misplaced plenty of gamers via damage, retiring. We’re nonetheless constructing, however I don’t suppose it’s a fear and a priority on the minute. Hopefully, extra will come.”