By Chris Wright
England Women got their World Cup campaign underway with a slightly disappointing 1-1 draw against Mexico in Wolfsburg yesterday afternoon – going ahead through Fara Williams’ looping 21st-minute header before being pegged back just 13 minutes on down the line thanks to a bit of a special effort from Monica Ocampo.
There were definitely several encouraging signs from an England perspective (the midfield looked infinitely preferable to the mens’ and the defence just about repelled everything that came their way) but the wilting heat eventually took it’s toll on Hope Powell’s side and the stamina levels faded a long time before a winner could be mustered – something to bear in mind for Friday’s outing against New Zealand…
Mexico line up for their national anthem
Mexico coach Leonardo Cuellar gives us a disconcertingly camp wave from the dug-out
Eniola Aluko nips in ahead of Rubi Sandoval
Fara Williams (she’s in there somewhere) arcs a header over the Mexican ‘keeper, 16-year old Cecilia Santiago, to open the scoring for England
Fara Williams celebrates with Casey Stoney and Jill Scott after scoring the first goal of the afternoon…
…before being mobbed by the rest of her teammates
Kelly Smith holds off Monica Ocampo
Fara Williams and Dinora Garza battle for an aerial ball
Juana Lopez smuggles the ball behind Rachel Unitt’s back
Jill Scott clambers all over Stephany Mayor
Monica Ocampo celebrates by swatting the corner flag after equalising for Mexico with a fine long-range effort
Rachel Unitt closes Nayeli Rangel down
Mexico celebrate after the final whistle
Here’s footage of Ocampo’s peachy equaliser. The general consensus seems to be that England ‘keeper Karen Bardsley dropped a proverbial bollock but, to be fair, it’s a corking strike…
http://youtu.be/vpraiiS3wXY
Sweet as a nut – a little Mexican nut.
Photos: PA